Center of Dermatology and Laser Surgery of Philadelphia
Written by Dr. Ringpfeil
| Infini® | CO2 Laser | DeepFX® | Titan | Thermage | Nd:YAG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results | ++++ | ++++ | +++ | ++ | + | + |
| Downtime | 1 day | 7-14 days | 2-3 days | None | None | None |
| # Treatments | 2-3 | 1 | 1 | 1-3 | 1-3 | 3-6 |
| Lasting results | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years | Unknown | 2-3 years | Unknown |
| Avg. total cost | $2000-3000 | $3000 | $3000 | $4000 | $4000 | $2000 |
Treatment Options: Surgical revision, CO2 laser, Deep FX, Titan, Thermage , Nd:YAG, fractionated lasers
Laser skin tightening is a minimally or non-invasive procedure that employs an infrared light source (a laser) to tighten the skin by heating the collagen beneath the skin’s surface, leading to skin contraction (tightening).
Skin tightening is a distinctive option for facial and body rejuvenation that produces remarkable results. Skin tightening effectively reduces the appearance of loose skin or fine and intermediate wrinkles, resulting in a smoother and more youthful appearance. Occasionally, surgical correction (facelift, tummy tuck, etc.) is necessary. However, most of the time, skin laxity is mild or moderate, and a less invasive treatment can achieve the desired results.
Individuals who notice loose skin in areas such as cheeks, neck, chest, abdomen, buttocks, legs, and arms due to aging or weight loss may consider skin tightening treatment. Laser skin tightening is suitable for both men and women, regardless of skin type or tone, who want significant results without undergoing painful surgery and lengthy recovery.
Skin type, treatment area, and recovery time all influence the outcome. Different laser technologies offer varying levels of skin tightening. Generally, more aggressive treatments yield more noticeable results.
CO2 laser treatment is the most aggressive and is typically used for skin tightening and rejuvenation. It provides the most dramatic results, particularly for the face and neck in fair and Asian skin.
A newer technology based on the CO2 laser is fractionated CO2 laser (DeepFX). It delivers similar results with significantly reduced downtime and is effective for areas like the chest and loose abdomen after pregnancy.
The Titan laser can treat all body parts, with shorter downtime compared to CO2 laser treatments. However, multiple sessions are required for substantial results, which can last up to 2 years with additional maintenance treatments.
Nd:YAG, Thermage™ (radiofrequency), and ReFirme™ are also used for tightening loose skin. These treatments use lower energy levels to minimize patient discomfort, but multiple sessions are needed to achieve significant results.
If the 7-14 day downtime of conventional CO2 laser is not acceptable, fractionated CO2 with 3-6 days of downtime may be used with minimal sacrifice of results.
Nd:YAG, Titan, Thermage™ do not damage the skin’s surface, so they involve no downtime. However, multiple treatment sessions should be considered.
Skin tightening costs depend on the desired results (number of treatments) and the size of the treated area, ranging from $500 to $7000.
CO2 laser or fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing typically require a single treatment with an average cost of $3000.
Thermage™ and Titan treatment costs are similar, with a single session usually costing around $1500. Since two to three treatments are usually needed, patients should expect an average cost of around $4000.
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