Let’s talk about the inevitable aging process — something that affects each and every one of us. One of the dreaded side effects of aging is the loosening or sagging of skin. Lucky for you, there are ways to combat this with skin tightening treatments — and Green Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, a premier medical and cosmetic dermatology center, is here to help.
Since everyone’s skin is different, it’s important to have multiple options available to choose from when determining which the best treatment is for your skin. At Green Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, we offer several services when it comes to skin tightening and rejuvenation: Microneedling, Vivace, and Fractional Laser.
We believe that these treatments are the most modernly effective and efficient ways to tighten your skin. Each treatment differs from the next and has its own benefits, so let’s break them down one by one:
Skinpen Microneedling: The “Great” Option
Green Dermatology & Cosmetic Center uses the only FDA-approved device on the market: The SkinPen by Bellus Medical. Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment using a device with 12 fine needles that create tiny punctures in the top layer of the skin to form new collagen in the skin’s surface. By “damaging” the skin with these small needles, the body goes into repair mode and is tricked into healing itself by creating new chains of collagen. It may sound like an intimidating procedure, but fear not – microneedling does not hurt. A numbing cream is applied prior to treatment to ease discomfort.
According to an InStyle article on Everything, You Need To Know About Microneedling, the treatment can essentially be considered a far more effective facial. Microneedling helps to build collagen and thicken the skin, but instead of only looking great for a couple of days following a facial, the results last much longer. Microneedling is a safe way to build areas of scarring, soften wrinkles, and improve stretch marks without the use of injectables and fillers.
Vivace: The “Best” Option
Let’s start off with the main benefits of choosing Vivace: it is pain-free, requires absolutely no downtime, shows immediate results, and continues to improve over time with the recommended multiple visits.
What makes Vivace different than Skinpen microneedling? The procedure uses radiofrequency to further promote the tightening of the skin that has lost firmness and volume by utilizing RF energy involving 36 insulated needles targeting a “controlled injury” in the dermal layer (where collagen is produced). It is the even distribution of radiofrequency heat that increases collagen production.
Fractional Laser: The “Best Laser” Pick
Although fractional laser procedures do require some downtime, Green Dermatology deems it the best skin tightening treatment option. We offer Fraxel, a proven laser technology that helps to reverse the visible effects of aging. It works on fine lines and wrinkles, surface scarring, pigmentation, sun damage, and even on pre- cancers known as Actinic Keratosis. This laser resurfacing procedure takes multiple sessions because 15-20% of the skin is resurfaced during each treatment. This helps to ensure that the skin doesn’t endure too much damage at one time, and eliminates a significant amount of downtime. Discomfort is described as rubber band snaps, a slight pinch, or a warm, pulsing sensation. SPF 30 or higher must be applied twice a day following the procedure the protect this new skin. It’s also important to avoid the sun as much as possible. Patients find that they are able to go back to school or work soon after treatment, and it is ok to put on makeup or shave 24 hours afterward as well.
A WORD ON PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)
Both the Skinpen and Vivace treatment can be enhanced with PRP, a concentrate of platelet-rich plasma protein derived from drawing whole blood spun and separated in a centrifuge. As a concentrated source of blood plasma, PRP contains a high concentration of several different growth factors and other cytokines and has been used to encourage a brisk healing response across several specialties, in particular plastic surgery, dentistry, orthopedics, and dermatology. PRP is known to stimulate and increase the healing of soft tissue and joints. Benefits of PRP include reduced signs of aging and improvement of the appearance of acne scars.
If any of these skin tightening services are of interest to you ask any of our front desk staff to schedule a complimentary consultation with Jamie, our Master Aesthetician, and Cosmetic Consultant.