My Experience with Laser Skin Tightening
Have you heard of laser skin tightening? A couple months ago, I attended the one year old birthday party of my friend’s son. Her son, Gary, spent most of the afternoon sleeping peacefully in his grandmother’s lap, and therefore I got to spend a good deal of time talking to my friend. Having spent the better part of a year attached to a small baby, it was nice to get to catch up. She recently started a new job at a skin clinic in my area, and of course I wanted all the details. She was a trained registered nurse and ended up working in this field because it worked better for her new mom life.
I asked her what were all the treatments people get and which ones were most effective of course, and I was surprised at some of her answers. Laser hair removal is by far the most popular treatment in the office which I expected, but she also mentioned procedures I had never heard of, such as photo rejuvenation. I just pictured someone in a white coat taking pictures of me and flash in my face and somehow I’d get up off the bed, and my skin is glowing. I expect most people think this way the first time they hear of this procedure or perhaps it’s just me. Then she mentioned laser skin tightening treatment and though I pretended not to be impressed, I had to look it up as soon as I got home. Turns out it is a thing! You can actually get your skin tightened without a chin lift or an eye lift. I had no idea.
Basically as you age, it is inevitable. The gravity and loss of collagen just takes over. For some of us sooner than others. It’s not super fun and it’s just one element of life I thought I was just going to ignore. After all, I’m not vain, right? But I couldn’t help reading further and getting interested in this. Many people claim it’s pretty fantastic but hard to trust reviews these days.
The claims of laser skin tightening
Laser skin tightening claims to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and loose skin. Now of course, it is really important to underscore the use of the word “appearance.” It is the only way that professionals ensure that they cannot be sued for false claims. And it is a good thing not to mislead customers. It is not the same thing as actually taking fat or loose skin off of your body or face.
Does laser skin tightening do anything?
So the way it works is that just through an external laser applied to the skin, it heats the collagen underneath the surface of the skin and boom, this automatically tightens the skin. The effect is basically immediate! They recommend having a treatment once a month for a few months. Thermal energy is basically a newer technique used in the past few years to affect biophysical changes in the skin’s cellular structure. So, the answer is basically yes, it is doing something – and yes, it is effective.
You may have heard of other benefits of thermal energy applied to the skin such as scar treatment. It works to reduce the appearance of scars by remodeling the collagen tissue. This same principle applies to skin tightening, because it involves contracting the skin by this heat energy and the chemical changes it enforces in the skin. A similar biophysical change happens with exercise and contracting the muscles – the tissue heals itself into a tighter structure. Thus producing a toned effect. You can imagine this also can work on the face by doing facial exercises.
Surgery is not for me
As someone who refuses to go under the knife for any cosmetic reason, I was attracted to this idea, so I felt it would not hurt to give it a try. At 41 my wrinkles and sagging are not majorly noticeable but they are to me and even the slightest difference could make me look younger, like applying a slight filter to a picture of myself on photoshop. Not that I have done that ahem. I started back at the end of April and did 4 treatments – my last one was last month. This is my experience. After the first treatment I saw an immediate change and felt it too. My skin felt toned but I couldn’t necessarily see it. After the last treatment, I have to say for me, my forehead and chin are noticeably better now. I compared to pictures of myself back over Christmas last year and today and that little crevice that forms my double chin on the side of my jaw is much less noticeable – I can’t really find it. My forehead creases are definitely softer.
Laser skin tightening recommendation
Based on my experience, I would say if you are looking for a small change and are middle-aged like me, you may benefit a lot from this procedure. I cannot speak for inches of sagging skin in the 70+ age range, but for the purposes of contouring a middle aged face, it has some benefits! I’m sure for younger people under 40 or even under 30, they can benefit if they have premature crow’s feet or forehead lines. In addition, for post-pregnancy belly it can be something that helps enhance the process of getting your body back.
You can tell right away after the first treatment how the tightening works and after that if you go for treatments every few years I think it can make the difference of looking younger as you age. Of course this is my opinion or experience, and does not reflect the opinion of others nor am I stating facts.
Laser skin tightening is a procedure that has made a difference in my life and I am enjoying the compliments lately that I have been looking ‘refreshed’ even in my most stressed-out days.
How to find a good laser skin clinic
I would check out your local skin laser clinic for a consultation and to see if you might be a good candidate for laser skin tightening. Many people think these places will tell you anything for the money, but actually they exist by their reputation and only benefit from happy customers and good word of mouth.
Definitely find a place with a good reputation that uses advanced techniques and is properly licensed and experienced. Always ask for pros and cons, and check if they offer any special packages or pricing. And if you decide laser skin tightening is not the procedure you might be looking for, these skin clinics will often have a menu of other advanced techniques that can help you with common ailments like acne or cellulite that are highly effective.
