What causes loose or sagging skin?
Skin laxity is one of seven signs of ageing, and one of the most common skin concerns treated in clinic. As you age, your body naturally produces less of the three components of healthy skin – collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin. This decline starts around your mid-twenties. Over time, damage to existing structures and decreased cellular renewal means that your skin starts to lose its ability to bounce back the way it once did.
Gravity, pollution, sun damage, repetitive facial movements, pregnancy, weight loss… All these place stress on your body and can result in looser skin. This shows up in the form of saggy skin, fine lines and wrinkles or a sunken appearance around the cheeks and eyes.
Non-invasive skin tightening treatments have improved over the years. By taking a holistic approach to skincare, we can effectively treat loose skin and address the signs of ageing.
Non-Surgical Facelift
Non-invasive skin tightening treatments offer several advantages over traditional surgical procedures like facelifts or eyelid lifts.
- Non-invasive skin tightening treatments like Thermage FLX and Ultraformer III require little to no downtime
- Lower risk profile than surgical procedures
- Treatments only take a little over an hour, depending on the size of the treatment area
- Whilst there is an immediate tightening effect, most results from non-invasive skin tightening treatments are gradual, subtly enhancing the skin over time without the dramatic effect often associated with a facelift
- Annual maintenance treatments mean you can maintain your results
- Non-invasive skin tightening can work well with other cosmetic procedures, whereas surgical facelifts can sometimes become a limiting factor in your future treatment plan
- You can experience benefits from skin tightening even if you only have a little skin laxity, as a preventative measure, rather than waiting until it’s bad enough to merit the surgery
- Non-invasive tightening is a much more cost-effective option and often a pleasanter experience
Skin Tightening Treatment Options
There are now many non-surgical skin tightening treatments available, ranging from a surface-level plumping effect to skin deep contractions of collagen fibres or the mechanical lifting of facial tissue.
Ultraformer (Ultrasound)
Ultraformer III is an effective skin tightening treatment for the face, neck and body. Using micro and macro-focused ultrasound (MMFU), Ultraformer III delivers targeted energy into the deeper layers of the skin, causing the deeper tissues to contract. This process, also known as thermal coagulation, stimulates the skin’s natural collagen production. The initial contraction creates an immediate firming effect; new collagen synthesis creates a tightening effect gradually over three to four months.
DOWNTIME: NO
PAIN: 1/5
TREATMENT TIME: 45 MINUTES
PRICE: FROM $1,350
Thermage FLX (Radiofrequency)
Thermage FLX uses radiofrequency technology to smooth and tighten the skin. Like Ultraformer III, Thermage works by tightening collagen fibres and stimulating the production of new collagen, helping to improve skin elasticity and firmness. It simultaneously delivers heat energy with a cryogen cooling system to monitor and correct the skin’s temperature in real time.
DOWNTIME: NO
PAIN: 3/5
TREATMENT TIME: 90 MINUTES
PRICE: FROM $2,300
Profound (Radiofrequency Skin Needling)
Profound is an advanced treatment that combines radiofrequency energy with microneedling technology. By inserting tiny needles into the skin and delivering controlled heat at various depths, our clinicians can stimulate new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, resulting in firmer, smoother skin. This treatment offers long-lasting results, with the skin continuing to improve for several months following the treatment.
Profound is available at selected clinics only.
DOWNTIME: 7-10 DAYS
PAIN: 3/5
TREATMENT TIME: FROM 60 MINUTES
PRICE: FROM $3,999
Paris Lift (PDO Mechanical Threads)
Soften the jowls, sharpen the jawline and instantly lift sagging skin. Paris Lift uses PDO mechanical threads (Polydioxanone, a biodegradable substance that’s been used in surgeries for over 40 years) to reposition and support sagging skin. This helps to reduce nasolabial folds, jowls and sagging cheeks for a more youthful appearance. The threads themselves also stimulate your own collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and offering ongoing results.
Paris Lift is available at selected clinics only.
DOWNTIME: 2-3 DAYS
PAIN: 5/5
TREATMENT TIME: 60-90 MINUTES
PRICE: as discussed in consultation
Natural Methods to Support Your Skin Tightening
There are several lifestyle changes you can make to help support, reduce and prevent loose skin. These habits might be more subtle, over the long term they will help to complement results from skin tightening treatments and enhance your overall skin health.
- Regular exercise can reduce skin laxity in various ways. By building muscle mass, you can provide a better support and structure for your skin; by losing excess weight you can prevent or reduce sagging from occurring in the first place. The boosted blood circulation and increased nutritional delivery to blood cells beneath the skin can also stimulate collagen production, resulting in healthier, tighter skin.
- Similarly, absorbing antioxidants, Vitamin A and Vitamin C either through diet and/or skincare can help stimulate collagen and protect against free radicals. Using a SPF, protecting your skin from sun damage and external aggressors can lead to healthier skin functioning, fewer fine lines and wrinkles and a more youthful appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is skin tightening for?
We require clients to have a consultation with our experienced cosmetic doctors, nurses and dermal therapists prior to having a skin tightening treatment.
The best candidates for skin tightening tend to be:
- Individuals with mild to moderate skin laxity.
- Those looking to avoid surgery due to health risks, high costs, or extended downtime.
- Clients who display early signs of skin laxity and who are to prevent further sagging.
- Healthy individuals with a stable weight, good diet, sun protection habits, and non-smokers.
How many treatments are needed for best results?
The number of recommended treatments depends on the treatment and your individual skin condition. Your clinician will recommend a personalised treatment plan for your skin during a consultation.
Can I get skin tightening treatments while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Unfortunately, most skin tightening treatments are not considered safe for pregnant or breastfeeding clients. However, there are other pregnancy-safe treatments that address similar concerns. We encourage you to book a complimentary consultation with our experienced clinicians to discover your options to help you look and feel your confident best.
What areas can I treat?
Depending on your skin tightening treatment, we can treat most areas on the face and body. Your clinician can discuss your treatment options with you during your consultation.
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