Radio Frequency Skin Tightening
As we age, production of the body’s structural proteins, collagen and elastin, begins to decrease. With collagen and elastin responsible for firm, smooth, and youthful-looking skin, the decrease in collagen production leads to sagging, crepey, loose skin, which can further emphasize fine lines, wrinkles, and jowls that develop as we age. Increased skin laxity – or loose skin – can also make cellulite more apparent as well as stretch marks that appear over time. These tell-tale signs of aging can be distressing for patients, causing them to seek methods to achieve younger-looking skin. Many patients falsely believe that the only solution to address loose skin and achieve the ideal face and body contouring is a surgical face lift performed by a plastic surgeon, however, there are many non-surgical, non-invasive anti-aging treatments available at board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Michele Green’s, New York City office. When it comes to tightening the skin, no treatment is more effective than radio frequency energy treatment (RF energy treatment).
Radio frequency therapy is a non-invasive procedure that uses radio waves for skin tightening and full body rejuvenation. FDA approved in 2002, radio frequency treatment is an excellent alternative to cosmetic surgery that requires no downtime or recovery time but provides patients with excellent results. When the radio frequency device is applied to the treatment area, it works to tighten the skin, boost new collagen production, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and can help with face and body contouring. The benefits of radio frequency therapy can be seen across many parts of the body, including the face, neck, stomach, hands, and arms. The risk of severe side effects when using RF devices are low, especially if you seek treatment from an experienced dermatologist, such as Dr. Green.
Dr. Green has been expertly treating patients in her Upper East Side New York City dermatology office for more than 25 years. Experienced in a wide variety of medical and cosmetic treatments, Dr. Green is an expert in Botox injections, dermal fillers, chemical peels, microneedling, laser treatments, Coolsculpting and much more. With her proprietary MGSKINLABs, Dr. Green also offers a wide range of skincare products with individualized treatment plans to best suit each patient’s needs. Well known for high patient satisfaction, Dr. Green has been deemed one of New York City’s best healthcare providers by such publications as Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, and New York Magazine.
What is radio frequency skin tightening?
Radio frequency skin tightening is a procedure that uses waves of radio frequency energy to tighten the skin and boost the production of collagen for full skin rejuvenation. The procedure can be used across many areas of the body, including the face, neck, and hands to improve skin elasticity and reverse signs of the natural aging process. As we age, production of collagen and elastin – the proteins in the body responsible for the structure of the skin – decreases, leading to loose and sagging skin, which can emphasize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the facial skin and cellulite on the body. Further, sagging skin and drooping fat pads on the face can create jowls, which causes the jawline to lose definition. Typically, the reduction in collagen production and consequential increase in skin laxity begins around age 35 to 40 but may occur earlier if you have a history of high sun exposure, which can contribute to the breakdown of collagen. Luckily, the effects of the natural aging process and environmental stress can be reversed through the use of radio frequency therapy.
How does radio frequency skin tightening work?
Radio frequency treatments work via the emission of low level, completely safe radiation in the form of radio waves to boost collagen production and tighten the skin. When the applicator of the RF device is applied to the skin’s surface, the radio frequency energy waves are emitted and penetrate into the lower layer of the skin, known as the dermis. The low energy radiation is then turned into heat energy when it is absorbed the skin cells, causing “micro-injuries” in the dermis, which trigger the body’s natural healing response. This healing response leads to the increased production of structural proteins collagen and elastin in the treatment area, which improves skin laxity, decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, increasing skin cell turnover, and causing the skin to become firmer and smoother over time. This treatment process can be used for facial contouring – slimming the face and improving the jawline, – as well as body contouring for reducing the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks.
Does radio frequency tighten skin?
When patients ask, does radio frequency tighten the skin, the answer is, it does! Radio frequency therapy can be used on many areas of the body, including the face, neck, arms, abdomen, buttocks, and legs, to tighten the skin. Patients will be able to see some skin tightening effects of the treatment immediately with improvements continuing over time. In one study examining the effects of RF treatment on skin laxity, researchers found that all 11 participants saw an improvement in skin laxity over time with 73% also seeing an improvement in facial contouring. When it comes to tightening the skin and addressing skin laxity, radio frequency energy treatment is Dr. Green’s go-to procedure.
Which radio frequency skin tightening treatment device is best?
There are several RF devices that are used by dermatologists and healthcare professionals to tighten the skin, but the most common are Exilis, Profound RF, Thermalift, and Thermage. When it comes to choosing the device that is best, Dr. Green always uses Thermage for skin tightening. Thermage is a monopolar radio frequency therapy device, meaning it is able to provide a more powerful treatment with longer lasting results that is safe and effective for all skin types and skin tones. Thermage is able to achieve stunning skin rejuvenation while also requiring no downtime or recovery time for patients.
What is Thermage for skin tightening?
Thermage is a type of radio frequency treatment that is FDA approved to tighten the skin and erase fine lines and wrinkles on the face and body. Like other RF treatments, Thermage works by emitting radio frequency energy waves to heat the dermal layer of skin to tighten existing tissue and trigger the production of new collagen for smoother, tighter skin. Patients will see an immediate result as the converted heat in the dermis causes the fibrous collagen to contract, leading to an immediate tightening of the skin. Over time, results of the treatment will continue to improve as the body’s natural healing process works to increase collagen and elastin production to contour and rejuvenate the skin. Patients can expect to see effects immediately following the procedure and then full results after two to four months.
What is the procedure for Thermage skin tightening treatment?
The first step in the radio frequency skin tightening procedure is to consult with Dr. Green in order to discuss your aesthetic goals and medical history so that she can determine the treatment, or series of treatments, that will be best for you. If you are struggling with loose or sagging skin, Dr. Green will typically recommend Thermage treatment. While Thermage treatment is non-invasive and is associated with minimal discomfort, Dr. Green may start by applying a topical numbing cream in order to insure full comfort during the procedure. Dr. Green will then apply the Thermage devise to the treatment area, changing the tip depending on what part of the body is being treated. The Thermage applicator has one hand piece that can be used for areas with a larger surface area, such as the arms, legs, buttocks, abdomen, and thighs, and one hand piece that can be used for the face and delicate eye area. Following the treatment, patients can immediately return to their regularly scheduled activities as there is no downtime or aftercare associated with the procedure.
How long does radio frequency skin tightening last?
RF skin tightening is a treatment with long lasting results, as it works to trigger the body’s own natural healing process to increase collagen production. As a result, the effects of the treatment can last for between one to two years before patients will start to notice increased skin laxity again. Luckily, Thermage RF treatment can be repeated once the results of the treatment begin to fade.
Is radio frequency skin tightening permanent?
While RF skin tightening does not provide permanent effects, the procedure is very long lasting, as it utilizes the body’s own anti-aging process to decrease skin laxity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The treatment does provide long-lasting results, with effects of the treatment still seen up to two years following the procedure. When you notice the onset of looser skin, you can schedule a maintenance appointment with Dr. Green in order to maintain the results of the treatment.
How often can you do radio frequency skin tightening?
In order to see great results, most patients only require one radio frequency skin tightening treatment per year. The effects of the treatment become fully visible over time – typically between two and four months post-treatment – as the body’s natural production of collagen and elastin increases. Results are long-lasting – with the effects of the treatment visible for up to two years – and patients can better maintain results within that timeframe by following the appropriate skincare regimen, which includes keeping the skin hydrated and always applying sunscreen when going outside between the hours of 10am and 2pm. Dr. Green typically schedules touch up appointments on an annual basis for Thermage patients.
What are the side effects of radio frequency treatments?
Radio frequency treatments are safe and effective and typically associated with minimal, mild side effects. In the couple of days following the treatment, patients may experience redness, minor swelling, tingling, and soreness at the treatment area, but these side effects are common and will resolve themselves on their own. When the procedure is performed by an experienced, board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green, the risk of developing any more significant side effects is greatly decreased.
Is radio frequency skin tightening safe?
Radio frequency therapy is an FDA-approved treatment for skin tightening and the elimination of fine lines and wrinkles, meaning it has been deemed safe and effective by the US Food and Drug Administration. RF treatment is commonly associated with mild side effects that go away on their own after a couple of days and minimal discomfort during the procedure itself. The treatment is also safe for all skin types and skin tones, though patients with darker skin tones are, in general, at a higher risk of side effects from RF and laser treatments. When the treatment is performed by an inexperienced provider, there is a higher risk of developing more serious side effects, such as overexposure burns, which is why it is important to thoroughly research your provider and stick to receiving treatment from a board-certified dermatology practitioner, such as Dr. Green.
How much does radio frequency skin tightening cost?
When patients ask, how much is radio frequency for skin tightening, the answer is: it depends. The cost of RF treatment is dependent on several factors, including a patient’s geographic location, the type of institution at which you receive treatment, and the size and scope of the treatment area. Radio frequency therapy can be used to tighten the skin on many areas of the body, including the face, neck, hands, thighs, stomach, and buttocks. When treating areas of the body with larger surface area, such as the legs and stomach, the cost of the procedure will likely be more than when treating areas with a smaller surface area, such as the face and hands. Whether or not Thermage RF treatment is combined with other cosmetic procedures, such as Botox or dermal fillers, can also affect the overall cost of treatment. Further, the type of institution at which you receive treatment will also affect the cost of the procedure. While MedSpas may be less expensive, the risk of developing more serious side effects is higher when seeking treatment from less experienced practitioners, which is why it is always best to seek treatment from an expert, such as Dr. Green.
Can RF skin tightening be combined with other treatments?
Thermage RF treatment for skin tightening can be combine with many other types of cosmetic treatments for full facial rejuvenation. When you have your initial consultation with Dr. Green, she can recommend the treatment, or series of treatments, that will best meet your aesthetic goals. The treatments that are most commonly paired with Thermage RF therapy area as follows:
Botox – For patients experiencing dynamic wrinkles, Botox injectable treatment is a great option to pair with Thermage treatment. Dynamic wrinkles occur when muscles on the face contract as a result of facial expressions, such as smile lines, crow’s feet around the eyes, and forehead lines. As we age, dynamic wrinkles become etched into the skin, becoming visible even when the face is at rest. While Thermage helps to erase fine lines and wrinkles that form as a result of sagging skin, Botox works to eliminate creases that form as a result of dynamic wrinkles by freezing the muscles at the injection site, causing the muscle to relax and the skin to become smooth.
Dermal Fillers – Dermal fillers are a highly effective way to restore lost volume in the face and hands that can occur as a result of the decreased production of collagen and elastin. There are many different types of dermal fillers composed of various types of filler and of different thickness in order to eliminate creases, contour the face and jawline, restore lost volume, and augment the lips.
CoolSculpting – Thermage can be very useful for contouring the jawline and helping to tighten the skin to help eliminate the appearance of jowls. Jowls can form on the lower face as a result of sagging skin and due to an accumulation of fat. When jowls are formed by fat and sagging skin, Thermage can be used in combination with CoolSculpting, which is a treatment that works to freeze fat cells to eliminate pockets of fat.
Kybella – Kybella is the first injectable treatment that works to dissolve fat cells at the injection site to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat in many areas of the body, including the chin, jawline, neck, stomach, arms, abdomen, and buttocks. Dr. Green will often pair Thermage treatment with Kybella when contouring the jawline and treating moderate to severe neck fat. Kybella and Thermage can also be used in combination to help reduce the appearance of cellulite on the thighs and buttocks.
Fraxel Laser Resurfacing – For patients who are struggling with the appearance of age spots in addition to increased skin laxity, Dr. Green will often pair Thermage treatment with Fraxel Laser resurfacing. Fraxel laser resurfacing treatment works by resurfacing targeted areas of the skin to fight hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars. The two different wavelengths of light can be used together or independently to address this range of conditions for smoother, brighter, younger-looking skin.
Does radio frequency skin tightening work?
Radio frequency skin tightening has been FDA-approved since 2002 to help treat fine lines and wrinkles and fight age-related skin laxity. As a part of the FDA-approval process, clinical trials are completed to test whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective. As RF energy treatments have been FDA-approved, it means they have been deemed both safe and effective when used by a board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Green. Since then, numerous studies have examined the effects of RF treatment. In 2017, researchers examined the effects of radio frequency therapy on body contouring, and found that 24 out of 25 participants saw improvement in their body contouring after between 5 and 8 sessions. In 2018, a study looking at the effects of RF treatment on wrinkles and fine lines found that after 3 treatments spaced 6 weeks apart, there was significant improvement in the appearance of facial creases. In the end, multiple studies have shown that RF treatment is safe and effective for body and facial contouring, tightening the skin, and eliminating fine lines and wrinkles.
How to get started with RF treatments today
The natural aging process can wreak havoc on the body. Starting in your mid-30s, collagen and elastin production begins to decrease, which can lead to loose, sagging skin, and the onset of fine lines and wrinkles. Sagging skin can also contribute to the formation of jowls and can emphasize the appearance of cellulite on the body. Luckily, there is a non-surgical, non-invasive solution for high skin laxity that works wonders to reverse the signs of aging: radio frequency skin tightening treatment. At Dr. Green’s New York City dermatology office, she uses the best in radio frequency technology, with the Thermage RF treatment. Thermage works wonders at providing patients with smooth, firm, naturally youthful-looking skin. Contact our office by calling 212 535 3088 or contacting us online to find out how a Thermage treatment can work for you.