Skin tightening facials are an extremely safe and effective way to have plumped, smoothed and tighter skin. They are a low-risk alternative to surgery.
The treatments are far less invasive than the surgical options like a facelift and also tummy tuck, and some people claim they do give similar results with no downtime, less expensive and fewer complications.
Our skin is full of proteins called elastin and collagen; these give our skin structure, elasticity and plumpness. By the age of 30, the body’s production of these proteins has almost halved, slowing down the process and making our skin lose its elasticity.
Various factors contribute to the loss of collagen and elastin, including gravity, pollution, lifestyle choices and sun damage; 90% of the skin’s ageing comes from sun exposure and damage! Pregnancy can also cause the loss of elastin in the body due to the quick and drastic changes our body goes through in those 9 months.
The method of skin tightening that we use within the clinic is Radio Frequency; this can be used on the face and also on the body. The procedure delivers controlled heat to the lower layers of the called the dermis; the heat stimulates the production of collagen to help improve the look of wrinkles and sagging skin. It has many positive effects on the dermis, including tightening, firming and also brightening; this is due to the thermal reaction causing the contraction of collagen in the short term and collagen production in the long term.
During a radio frequency treatment, we will start by applying a hydrating glide to the skin for the radio frequency head. The RF handpiece will be moved in gentle circular motions, slowly warming and heating the skin to 40 degrees. Once the temperature has reached 40 degrees (optimum heat), we will maintain it for 4 minutes before moving to the next area. Some redness may appear post-treatment, but this is due to the heat circulating on the skin and will subside within a couple of hours. We are constantly checking the skin’s temperature to make sure it isn’t so this will not cause any burning or scarring on the skin.
So, is skin tightening safe?
The main risk with Radio Frequency is burns that may be caused due to the heat from the Radio Frequency head; as we use a relatively low heat and keep the head moving and not in one constant position, this is not possible.
How is radio frequency controlled?
During a radio frequency facial, the heat is applied to the skin using a small head; we can control the heat to suit the client. We also use an infrared thermometer to constantly check the temperature and keep it maintained to around 42 degrees for your comfort. This is the optimum heat for inducing collagen production.
What are the side effects of radio frequency?
The reason radio frequency is so popular is due to the fact the side effects are so minimal. Mild redness is the most common post-procedure effect, but this soon calms down; they can also be done safely and effectively in conjunction with injectables like Botox. Radiofrequency can break down filler injected into the face, so we don’t advise this treatment in areas that have been filled.
Can’t radiation cause harm to the skin and body?
It’s a common fact that exposure to high levels of RF radiation can be harmful due to the ability to heat biological tissue very quickly, for example, how a microwave will cook food. Tissue damage can occur at very high RF levels due to the body’s inability to disperse excessive heat.
Due to using such a low heat source in the skin, there’s no chance of structural damage to the skin at all and the FDA has approved it for reducing the appearance of wrinkles on the skin.
Overall, Radio Frequency is an extremely safe and effective facial treatment which boosts collagen levels in the skin. It will help to tighten the skin, create a lifting effect, and boost and stimulate collagen and elastin production to give a lifted, smoothed and plumed effect. We recommend a course of 8 treatments once per week for maximum results and long-lasting results.
