08 Jan The Reality of Non-Invasive Skin Tightening Treatments
Non-invasive skin tightening treatments have become popular alternatives to cosmetic surgeries such as face lifts (rhytidectomy), neck lifts, tummy tucks (abdominoplasty), and liposuction. People choose non-surgical skin tightening for the promise of results, reduced risks, minimal downtime and lower costs compared to surgery. If, however, you want dramatic and long-lasting results, non-invasive skin tightening can’t compete with surgery (where excess skin or fat is removed).
In this article, we’ll discuss the reality of non-invasive skin tightening and suggest an alternative approach that focuses on overall health, preventative skincare treatments and having realistic expectations.
The Lure of Non-Invasive Skin Tightening
Surgical skin tightening is costly, usually involves downtime for healing, and has risks including infection, bleeding, clotting, scarring, edema (fluid buildup), and adverse reactions to surgical anesthesia. These facts have contributed to the rise in popularity of non-invasive alternatives as have lower costs (compared to surgery) aggressive marketing, accessibility, perceived safety, and common misconceptions about non-invasive skin tightening efficacy.
While many treatments provide some skin tightening (RF, Microneedling, Laser, IPL) patient expectations and goals should align with the reality of results rather than the “promise” so often used in marketing materials.
The Truth About Non-Invasive Skin Tightening
A 2015 review of 31 studies on radiofrequency treatments for skin laxity found that “The use of RF has been based more on marketing than on technical-scientific reasons”. The report goes on to say that “Although [the] majority of studies (96%) report positive results in treating skin laxity using RF, only 44% showed statistical significance.” The review concluded “it is clear that using RF for the treatment of skin laxity is still a myth to be clarified and its use should therefore be cautious in the professional practice”.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration article “Non-Invasive Body Contouring Technologies” describes the different technologies. The article cautions that “not everyone responds to body contouring procedures or achieves their desired effect, results may be temporary, and you may need more than one treatment.”
According to this Healthline article on skin tightening, most people require several treatments and the total cost can range between $800-2000 USD. The article reports the average cost of nonsurgical fat reduction was $1,559 USD in 2018, as reported by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
While non-invasive skin tightening usually has some benefit, it can be costly and results may not align with patient expectations.
So, if you don’t want or can’t afford surgery and you understand the limitations of non-surgical skin tightening, what should you do?
The Case for Skin Health
Rather than focusing solely on skin tightening, at Halcyon Cosmetic & Skin Clinic, we recommend prioritizing overall skin health.
We all want quick fixes that don’t require much personal commitment, though all too often those “quick fixes” are either costly (as with surgery) or unrealistic (as with skin tightening creams). If, however, you shift your perspective to one of skin health and preventative maintenance, your skin’s appearance will improve and further skin deterioration will be minimized.
A More Realistic Approach to Skin Aesthetics
Focus on your health and wellbeing.
Regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle can improve your general health, outlook, and skin health. Preventative measures such as wearing sunblock, using cleansers and moisturizers can reduce the effects of the environment and aging on skin.
Educate yourself about non-surgical skin treatments
RF treatments, Microneedling, Laser, and IPL do boost collagen production, which tightens skin, although the treatments won’t give you the dramatic results of cosmetic surgery.
In the case of Microneedling, Laser and IPL, skin tightening is an ancillary benefit; the main benefit are improvement of skin tone, skin texture and reduction of the appearance of fine lines and scars. While you get some skin tightening, the collagen stimulation provided by the treatments is more preventative than restorative.
Adjust expectations
In the aesthetic treatments industry, the perceived “success” of the treatment is almost always relative to a client’s expectations. If a client expects dramatic results from non-invasive skin tightening, they are more likely to be disappointed. If a client expects noticeable but only modest improvement to skin laxity, they’ll be more satisfied with the results.
Accept yourself
If your self-esteem is directly tied to an often unattainable aesthetic ideal, you’ll always be chasing self-acceptance. Depending on something external to yourself for self-esteem is the road to disappointment, sadness, and even depression and other mental health issues. On the other hand, if you learn to accept yourself now, as you are, take care of your body and mind, and have realistic expectations of non-surgical skin treatments, your hard-won self-esteem will remain intact.
Choose treatments with a record of success
Halcyon Cosmetic & Skin Clinic offers many effective skin treatments and aesthetic treatments that make you look great, reduce visible signs of aging, and enhance your skin’s health.
Permanent Makeup saves you time and makes you look great!
Skin & Facial Treatments and our Signature Skin Treatments address common skin concerns and visible signs of aging.
Health & Wellness Treatments boost and enhance health. We offer Weight Loss Injections, IV Vitamin Therapy, Myers’ Cocktail IV Therapy and Vitamin B12 Injections.
Instead of throwing money at expensive, trendy skin tightening treatments that may or may not reduce skin laxity, you can choose treatments that will improve your skin health and appearance while boosting confidence! If you’d like to discuss skin treatments tailored to your needs, receive a free consultation from an experienced skin aesthetician. Our clinic is located in Port Moody and convenient to Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.
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