What is Skin Tightening?
Skin Tightening is a process that involves injecting small amounts of hyaluronic acid or synthetic fillers into the skin to plump up and smooth out wrinkles while simultaneously making the facial skin tighter. Skin Tightening is also called “Skin Rejuvenation,” and depending on how the procedure is performed, it can also be referred to as “Botox Cosmetic,” “Filler Facial,” or simply “Dermal Filler.” The most popular injectables used to perform skin Tightening are Juvéderm and Restylane, although your medical provider may use Dalderma and others.
The Benefits of Skin Tightening?
Skin Tightening is a procedure that has many different benefits for your facial appearance. Although each patient’s situation is unique, there are several common benefits that are seen in most patients. Patients who have injected filler may notice:
1. A reduction in the size of the facial wrinkles and lines
2. Increased facial volume (this includes increased cheek size and lift, as well as decreased nasolabial folds)
3. Improved facial symmetry (including reduction of asymmetry and loss of depressed areas)
4. Increased facial skin density and fullness
5. Improvement of the facial contour (some patients experience dramatic improvement here)
6. Rounded chin and jawline
7. Reduction in the appearance of nasolabial folds
8. Improvement in overall facial expressiveness (smile lines, creases, and sagging skin)
9. Improved eyelid function (improvement in lid closure and movement; some patients notice increased eyelid sensation)
10. Improved cheek definition (improvement of cheekbone prominence)
11. Improvement in skin tone and color
12. Improvement in skin texture (fine lines, roughness, surface irregularities)
13. Reduction of sun damage or age spots
14. Correction of certain deformities (not suitable for all deformities; consult with a doctor before considering treatment for deformed areas)
15. Overall improvement in the appearance of facial aging (face looks younger and more vibrant)
Risks of Skin Tightening
Although the risks associated with skin Tightening are minimal, every procedure has a potential downside. From the most common to least common side effects, they include:
1. Temporary redness of the skin (may last up to 1-2 weeks)
2. Swelling of the Skin (can last 1-2 days)
3. Bruising at the site of injection (usually occurs during the injection but may appear up to 5 days after injection)
4. Needing additional treatments to achieve the desired results (this can occur up to 3 months after initial treatment)
5. Infection
6. Damage to other tissues (such as a permanent scar, implant, or tendon that was used in the procedure)
Who is a Good Candidate for Skin Tightening?
Although anyone who desires improved skin tone and facial appearance may benefit from Skin Tightening, some people are more likely than others to see dramatic improvements. Because of this, it is best to talk to a dermatologist who specializes in cosmetics about whether or not you are a good candidate for Skin Tightening. Some people who may be more likely than others to experience dramatic improvements from the treatment include:
1. Patients with sagging skins or deep lines and wrinkles
2. Patients with asymmetry
3. Patients with areas of depression or loss of volume (e.g., hollow cheeks and nasolabial folds)
4. Patients with facial fat loss (e.g., patients with lower body weight who have lost a significant amount of fat or muscle mass)
5. Patients with hypernasolabial folds
6. Patients who have prominent cheekbones
7. Patients with deep nasolabial folds
8. Patients with a low facial volume (e.g., patients with thin or nonexistent cheeks; patients who have significant nasolabial folds)
9. Patients with marked unevenness of skin tone or color
10. Patients with active acne
How to Get Started
Like any surgical procedure, Skin Tightening carries risks and requires proper care. The best way to get started is to establish a good relationship with a qualified fibroblast Denver esthetician who has experience with Skin Tightening and injectable fillers. To ensure you are receiving safe and effective care, you must ask a lot of questions. Here are some examples of questions that you should ask your doctor about Skin Tightening:
1. How many years of experience does the doctor have with performing this procedure?
2. How many patients (both male and female) have you performed skin Tightening on? Do any of these patients have reported significant side effects after the procedure?
3. What are the most common risks and complications of Skin Tightening? (Although several common side effects may occur, it is necessary to ask how often these complications occur, how long they last, and whether or not they impact your quality of life.)
4. What results can be expected from this treatment (CRLA, volume, tone, and skin appearance)?
5. What does the procedure involve? What type of downtime is involved? Does it usually take place in a hospital or office setting?
6. How long does the procedure take? How many days of recovery time are required?
7. How often will additional treatments be required? How often will touch-up procedures be needed to achieve desired results?