If you’ve noticed sagging skin and been trying to correct it with creams and serums, or even chemical peels, cosmetic injections and dermal fillers, but aren’t seeing the results you hope for, it might be time to consider a different approach.
Once upon a time, the only way to lift and tighten loose facial skin was to get a facelift or neck lift. But now, there are minimally invasive non-surgical aesthetic treatments for the face and neck that can give similar results to plastic surgery without the high cost and long recovery times.
There are probably more needle and knife-free ways of treating loose and sagging facial skin than you realize. Keep reading to learn about three of the most popular surgery-free skin-tightening solutions worth considering— Evoke, Morpheus8 Face, and AccuTite.
Key Benefits of Skin Tightening Procedures
- Firms the skin: Skin tightening procedures can tighten loose or sagging skin on various areas of the body, such as the face, neck, and abdomen.
- Reduces wrinkles: In addition to creating firmer skin, these procedures can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, creating a smoother complexion and reversing signs of aging.
- Enhances skin tone: By stimulating collagen production, skin tightening procedures can also enhance skin tone and texture, creating a more radiant and healthy appearance.
Reasons Why Facial Skin Gets Loose and Saggy
Skin is supposed to sit tight against the body and have elasticity so it can stretch and snap back to its original shape.
There are several reasons why skin becomes loose or sags…
Age
Saggy or loose skin is a natural part of aging because we lose two important proteins in the dermis associated with skin firmness– elastin and collagen. Hyaluronic acid levels also reduce with age, which further causes the skin to lose its moisture, glow, and youthful appearance.
We obviously can’t turn back time; the signs of aging are inevitable. But there are things we can do to help our bodies produce more of these crucial proteins and acids.
Customized medical-grade skincare and regular facial aesthetic treatments can certainly help and are no doubt more necessary as we age. Especially if you want to avoid going under the knife or lessen the need and frequency of more advanced lasers or other non-surgical treatments like the ones discussed in this article.
Weight Loss
Excess skin after weight loss is very common, especially if it is a considerable amount.
This is because the skin stretches as the body gains weight, damaging the skin’s collagen and elastin fibers. When this happens, the skin loses its ability to return to place.
There are a few things you can do that will help keep your skin tight while losing weight:
- Aim to lose weight at a slow and steady pace. Rapid weight loss is more likely to lead to sagging.
- Incorporate weight training to replace the fat that once filled out your skin with lean mass.
- Hydrate by drinking a lot of water and regularly apply skin and facial moisturizers with retinoids.
- Eat a whole food diet with plenty of produce that contains vitamins and antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin C, and lycopene.
Age and weight loss are two of the most common reasons people experience sagging and loose skin on the face and body, but other factors cause elastin and collagen to deteriorate over time, such as:
- UV Exposure: Tanning beds, laying out in the sun, not wearing SPF year-round, etc.
- Environmental Factors: Cigarette smoke, blue light, air pollutants, sulfates, parabens, synthetic dyes, poor water quality, etc.
- Poor Lifestyle Habits: Smoking, drinking excess alcohol, poor nutrition, not getting enough quality sleep, etc.
How To Make Your Skin Tighter Without Surgery
Adhering to a consistent medical-grade morning and evening skincare regime is an essential part of aging gracefully. But unfortunately, tightening facial skin requires a little more than a good skin care regime. That’s because skin sagging happens at the deepest layer of tissue in the skin.
Most people think that outside of surgery, the only alternative to surgery to correct sagging skin is cosmetic injections like Botox or dermal fillers.
These treatments can undoubtedly help drastically improve signs of aging by smoothing fine lines and wrinkles and plumpening and adding volume to the face. However, injections and fillers can only do so much for aging skin that has lost its elasticity. Not to mention, many of these procedures are restricted to the face and neck.
When it comes to tightening the skin on your face and body without going under the knife, non-surgical aesthetic treatments incorporating micro-needling and radiofrequency energy are your best options.
The Top 3 Non-Surgical Aesthetic Treatments To Tighten Skin
There are many new and innovative non-surgical ways to tighten your facial skin. Typically, these treatments are suggested for anyone, male or female, who is hesitant about plastic surgery due to risks, costs or downtime.
Let’s look at the three most popular non-surgical aesthetic treatments at Garza Plastic Surgery.
1: InMode Evoke Facial Remodeling Treatment
Evoke is a non-invasive, non-surgical hands-free facial remodeling treatment designed specifically to target facial tissue of the face, chin, and jawline.
Evoke provides a noticeable change in fat reduction and skin tightening by safely delivering radiofrequency energy to the deepest layers of the skin (the subdermal layers.) However, the treatments can be customized and tailored to address your specific skin concerns.
The Evoke radiofrequency technology is very innovative and clinically proven to ensure no area is under, or over-treated, leading to optimal results and consistent outcomes.
The end result of an Evoke treatment is a natural younger looking appearance. And because Evoke directly addresses the jawline and chin, an added bonus is that you might also have more defined facial characteristics.
Evoke is quick and pain-free. You could pop in on your lunch break and return to work and all other regular activities immediately. Most clients find this treatment completely painless and describe it as a warm sensation similar to a hot stone massage.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The number of treatments you need is tailored to your specific desired outcome. Typically, 6 treatments spread out over 6-weeks is a general recommendation. However, you will see gradual improvements in the treatment area following your first few sessions.
If you want to see a video, patient before and after photos, and read more about the Evoke treatment, click here.
2: Morpheus8 Face Microneedling Treatment
You’ve probably heard of microneedling treatments— a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure where a board-certified esthetician punctures the skin with tiny needles to stimulate collagen production.
Morpheus8 is an advanced type of microneedling that goes deeper than a standard microneedling treatment. Think of it like microneedling on steroids with the added bonus of simultaneous radio frequency.
This nonsurgical two-in-one aesthetic treatment of the stars offers much quicker results than having microneedling and radio frequency done individually. The result is tightened and contoured skin, improved skin tone and texture, and stimulated collagen growth. It is also the only treatment that can mold fat under the skin for optimal results.
Who Can Get Morpheus8?
Morpheus8 works well on all skin tones and types. It is ideal for anyone looking to treat sagging or wrinkled areas affected by the natural aging process or over-exposure to the sun. It is also excellent for skin conditions such as acne, acne scars, stretch marks, surgical scars, and more.
If this treatment sounds familiar, it’s probably because a host of celebrities have been very public about how Morpheus8 transformed their skin. Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Chrissy Teigen, and Jessica Simpson are only a few A-listers that rave about this relatively new treatment.
Where Can I Get Morpheus8?
Morpheus8 can be used on many areas of the body. The most commonly treated areas include the lower face and neck. Areas of the face and body that show wrinkles, discoloration or acne scarring can be treated. Morpheus treatments are highly versatile, making it an excellent choice for addressing multiple concerns.
Morpheus8 can be used on various body and facial areas, including:
- face
- neck
- arms
- abdomen
- thighs
What Happens During Morpheus8 Treatment?
During the session, your esthetician will use a handheld “zapper” with tiny needles that penetrate the skin and heat the tissue to stimulate collagen production.
The treatment is quick and relatively painless. Depending on how many areas are treated, it takes between 20 and 60 minutes. Although Morpheus8 uses needles, most patients say it is very tolerable, especially since our team applies a topical numbing cream to ensure optimal comfort.
You can expect to feel a slight sunburn feeling for an hour or two following the procedure and should only have minimal irritation or swelling in the 48-72 hours following treatment. At most, some faint bruising and/or redness for 3-7 days, depending on how aggressive the treatment was and how sensitive your skin is.
When Will I See Results?
Most people see results with only one Morpheus8 treatment; however, some require up to 3 sessions to achieve their desired results. Click here to read more about Morpheus8 and see before and after photos.
3: AccuTite Treatment Face Contouring
AccuTite is the latest radiofrequency technology to improve skin elasticity in small areas of the face and body. It is a minimally-invasive, non-surgical aesthetic treatment that addresses common signs of aging, such as sagging or loose skin, crepey skin texture, and unsightly pockets of stubborn fat.
BodyTite and FaceTite are two similar procedures. The only difference between the three is the treatment areas. BodyTite is the largest of the three devices and is used on larger body surfaces such as the arms, abdomen, breasts, hips, buttocks, and thighs. And as the name suggests, FaceTite is used on larger areas of the face, such as the jawline and lower part of the face and neck.
AccuTite is the smallest device of the three. It creates natural yet noticeable results in precise areas of the face and body, such as the brows, upper and lower eyelids, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, hands and knees.
RAFL Technology
All three use a hand-held device that transfers “radiofrequency assisted lipolysis” (RAFL) deep into the fat to simultaneously tighten skin and liquefy fat cells. This radiofrequency is considered the most advanced non-surgical option comparable to a surgical facelift.
What Happens During an AccuTite Treatment?
An AccuTite procedure is fast, and most patients say it is painless. A topical numbing cream is used to remain comfortable throughout the process, which can take as little as 20-30 minutes, depending on the treated area.
There is also very minimal downtime. Most patients say they feel a little tender for 3-7 days post-procedure and resume normal activities in 2 to 3 days.
When Will I See Results?
Results will be noticeable shortly after the procedure, but it will take roughly six weeks to see the full effects, which will continue to improve for up to 12 months.
Final Thoughts On NonSurgical Aesthetic Face Treatments
There’s no doubt a surgical facelift or neck lift can tighten sagging skin and take years off your face, and cosmetic injections and dermal fillers certainly have their place in helping reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging.
But if you are looking for the most effective way to tighten loose facial skin without surgery and extended downtime, you can achieve remarkable results with nonsurgical skin tightening treatments such as Evoke, Morpheus8 Face, and AccuTite.
You can even combine the above treatments. In fact, a combination of these procedures can produce an outcome VERY similar to surgical results (up to 60%) for a fraction of the cost, and again, no or minimal pain and downtime!
Our team of physicians at Garza Plastic Surgery can help you decide which non-surgical facial treatment is best for your concerns. Call us at 615-620- 7800 to book your appointment or consultation.
Skin Tightening FAQs
What Are the Limitations of Non-Surgical Skin Tightening?
Non-surgical skin tightening treatments offer a convenient alternative to more invasive procedures, but they come with several limitations:
- Gradual Results: Unlike surgical options, non-surgical treatments typically show results gradually over a period of weeks or even months.
- Multiple Sessions Required: To achieve the desired effect, multiple treatments may be necessary.
- Periodic Maintenance: One-time treatment isn’t enough—regular follow-up sessions are needed to maintain the results.
- Limited Efficacy on Severe Sagging: These treatments are not effective for significant skin sagging, such as highly pronounced jowling or extensive skin stretching due to pregnancy or major weight loss.
Understanding these limitations can help you set realistic expectations and plan accordingly if you decide to pursue non-surgical skin tightening.
What is Collagen Stimulation and How Does it Benefit the Skin?
Collagen stimulation refers to the various techniques and treatments designed to boost the production of collagen in the skin. Collagen, a vital protein, provides structure, firmness, and elasticity to the skin. As we age, collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.
Benefits of Collagen Stimulation:
- Improved Skin Firmness: Collagen helps maintain the skin’s elasticity and structure. Increasing collagen levels can result in firmer, more resilient skin.
- Reduced Wrinkles and Fine Lines: By enhancing collagen production, these treatments can diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, providing a more youthful look.
- Enhanced Skin Texture: Increased collagen levels can improve the overall texture of the skin, making it smoother and more even.
- Better Hydration: Collagen helps retain moisture, keeping the skin well-hydrated and reducing dryness.
Methods of Collagen Stimulation:
- Microneedling: This technique involves using tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin, triggering a healing response that boosts collagen production.
- Laser Treatments: Various laser therapies, such as fractional laser treatment, stimulate collagen production by penetrating deep into the skin layers.
- Topical Treatments: Products containing ingredients like retinoids, peptides, and vitamin C can also promote collagen synthesis when applied regularly.
Am I a Good Candidate for Non-Surgical Skin Tightening?
Non-surgical skin tightening can be an excellent option for individuals who experience mild to moderate skin laxity. If you notice some sagging or have areas that lack firmness, but aren’t ready for the more invasive route of cosmetic surgery, this treatment might be for you.
Who Is Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Best For?
- Mild to Moderate Skin Laxity: Ideal for those with slight to moderate sagging skin that doesn’t require extensive lifting or removal.
- General Health: It’s important that you’re in good health overall. Some conditions or medications may preclude you from being a candidate.
- Realistic Expectations: Understand that results will be more subtle compared to surgical options. It’s about enhancing, not transforming dramatically.
Who Should Avoid Non-Surgical Skin Tightening?
- Pregnant Individuals: If you are expecting, this treatment is generally not recommended.
- Certain Medications: Discuss any medication you are taking with a healthcare provider to determine if it might interfere with the procedure.
- Medical Conditions: Certain underlying health issues could make this option unsuitable for you.
Next Steps
The most effective way to determine if this treatment suits your needs is to consult with a board-certified cosmetic professional. Experts trained in both surgical and non-surgical procedures can provide a balanced perspective on what will work best for your skin goals.
