Everything to Know About Laser Skin Tightening

About

Laser skin tightening is a minimally invasive procedure with little to no downtime.

It heats the skin, causing collagen to constrict, making skin look tighter, more firm, and less crepey.

It stimulates production of collagen and elastin in the skin.

Safety

Laser skin tightening is considered quite safe, and typically, no anesthesia is required.

Some swelling and redness is normal, and in rare cases there could be scarring or infection.

Convenience

Laser skin tightening requires minimal to no downtime so you can get back to your normal activities.

The procedure itself takes 30 to 90 minutes and should only ever be performed by a cosmetic dermatologist or a highly trained skincare professional.

Efficacy

You will see some results after one session but best results will come gradually after three to six sessions.

With proper skincare, including regular SPF, the results may last up to three years.

What is laser skin tightening?

Laser skin tightening is a non-surgical and minimally invasive way to firm skin on the body. The procedure is not particularly painful. Although it can be done anywhere on the body, frequent areas include the:

• stomach
• neck
• face
• jawline

The laser gets very hot, though it’s still tolerable on the skin, and it stimulates the skin to make more collagen and elastin, resulting in firmer, less crepey skin that looks tighter.

It works best for people between the ages of 30 and 65, and even people who do not yet have noticeable sagging may find it preventive. If your skin is very lax, surgery may be a better option.

How does laser skin tightening work?

As the name suggests, laser skin tightening worksTrusted Source by using an infrared light laser to penetrate beneath the skin. The laser is hot — about the same temperature as a hot stone massage — and it heats up the collagen under the skin, causing the collagen to constrict and the skin to look firmer.

Although not technically lasers, radiofrequency and ultrasound technology are often used for skin tightening as well.

Ultrasound skin tightening

• work wells for the face, chin, neck, and chest areas

• treats early signs of aging
• takes between 30 and 90 minutes
• may be slightly uncomfortable for some and quite painful for others
• typically requires premedication with NSAIDs, narcotics, or topical numbing agents
• little to no downtime

Radiofrequency skin tightening

• not a true laser

• treats the skin subdermallyTrusted Source
• typically safe for all skin types
• in-office procedure that has little associated discomfort and no down time
• can also be combined with microneedling, but this will often require more downtime depending on how aggressive the treatment
• uses radiofrequency (RF) to release heat energy into the skin

Intense pulsed light and radiofrequency combination

• a hybrid option that treats deep layers of skin

• gradual results
• no discomfort or downtime
• can cause post-inflammatory pigmentation in people with darker skin tones

For all three, the procedure is similar. You will sit in the office and may be asked to wear goggles. The laser beam will feel hot on your skin, and you may feel discomfort, but it shouldn’t be painful.

Depending on how big of an area you are having treated, the procedure should take between 30 and 90 minutes.

What to expect after laser skin tightening

You should see some skin tightening immediately after the first laser skin tightening procedure. The results will get more pronounced with each subsequent treatment.

Because no incisions are made — the entire procedure is done with a laser — you will not need much recovery time. You may see some minor swelling or redness for a few days after the procedure, which is normal and should resolve on its own.

The results are not permanent but can last for several years. You’ll likely need to have occasional maintenance appointments.