Laser Skin Tightening in Brownwood & Abilene, TX
What is laser skin tightening?
More and more patients are looking for non-surgical options for skin rejuvenation. That’s why they come to see Dr. Butka and our team at Creative Image Laser Solutions for laser skin tightening.
Laser skin tightening is an FDA-cleared procedure for the reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity. You can think of it as a mini facelift, of sorts when used on facial skin. While the results aren’t as dramatic as a facelift, neither are the risks and extensive recovery that facelift surgery demands.
Our different laser skin tightening treatments heat the collagen in the dermis layer of the skin. This causes it to contract, noticeably tightening skin that has become lax due to aging and sun damage. The heating also causes the body to produce new collagen for long-lasting results.
These are considered non-invasive treatments. To learn more or to determine whether you are a candidate, be sure to dial (325) 641-1927 and reach our Brownwood office today!
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Who is an ideal candidate for laser skin tightening?
The best candidates for these treatments at our beautiful Brownwood offices have moderate skin laxity, but their skin still has good elasticity. This will enable it to tighten down in response to the laser energy delivered into the dermis layer. If the patient’s skin is too loose and saggy, laser skin tightening cannot deliver the amount of tightening necessary — those patients would still need to see a plastic surgeon for a surgical facelift.
What areas of the body can I have laser skin tightening done?
Laser skin tightening has been proven effective for tightening loose skin across the body. The energy is effective on the face, neck, abdomen, arms, legs, and buttocks. If a patient has moderate skin laxity on his or her abdomen, for instance, laser skin tightening can deliver noticeably firmer skin without surgery or downtime.
What is laser skin tightening session like?
Amy Beam is our laser aesthetician at Creative Image. She is a certified operator on all of our lasers for skin tightening, resurfacing, hair removal, and tattoo removal. Before your session, she will have you remove any makeup, oils, lotions, and sunscreen from the treatment areas. When you arrive, Amy applies a topical anesthetic cream to the treatment area and provides you with protective eyewear. Next, she places the small handpiece on the treatment area, and it applies brief pulses of laser energy down into the skin. At the same time, the handpiece sends a continuous stream of cool air onto the skin surface to keep the patient comfortable and to protect the outer skin. When the pulses occur, you’ll feel a slight sensation akin to a small rubber band being snapped on the skin surface. This will be followed by a gradual warming sensation in the area. This warming sensation passes quickly. In most cases, we cover the treatment area three times during the session.
How does laser skin tightening work?
If you know skin, you know that collagen is the holy grail of skin health and rejuvenation. Laser skin tightening is all about collagen. Collagen is the protein responsible for providing the skin with structural support. As we age our body produces one additional percentage point less collagen every year after our 20th birthday. Do the math — when you’re 50 your body is making basically one third less collagen. That’s why your skin starts to loosen and sag.
In this procedure, the single wavelength of laser energy is set to penetrate directly through the skin’s outer surface, the epidermis, down into the dermis (the skin’s second layer). The dermis is where collagen provides the structural framework for the surface skin. The laser causes two effects in the dermis. First, it makes the collagen in the area contract, immediately tightening the skin. Second, the heating causes fibroblasts to react as if a wound has occurred. Their reaction is to produce new collagen to send to the perceived wound, although the skin isn’t actually wounded in the least. This increased collagen production provides further skin tightening for several months.
The beauty of laser skin tightening, in contrast with a surgical facelift, is that instead of stretching the skin as in a facelift laser skin tightening causes the skin to tighten on its own from within.
What’s the difference between laser skin tightening and laser skin resurfacing?
The difference is in how the laser energy is used. In laser skin tightening, the energy passes through the surface epidermis layer of the skin and it enters the dermis where it converts to heat. When the body senses heat in the dermis layer, it assumes there has been a wound. It responds by instantly remodeling the existing collagen in the area, but more importantly, it triggers the production of new amounts of collagen to heal the perceived wound. This improves the skin from within.
Laser skin resurfacing, as the name suggests, removes the top layer of the skin revealing smooth, healthier skin underneath. Instead of sending the laser energy into the dermis, it is focused on the epidermis, removing the top layer or layers. The aggressiveness of laser skin resurfacing can be adjusted. Resurfacing can be used on deeper wrinkles, areas of pigmentation, and age, and sunspots. Resurfacing usually involves some amount of recovery time, as the skin needs to heal.
When will I see my results from my laser skin tightening?
There are two levels of results with our laser skin tightening treatments at Creative Image Laser Solutions. Patients notice immediate changes in the tone and condition of their skin following their treatment. The optimal results, however, come from the body’s new collagen production. This will take a few months to be fully visible — anywhere from three to six months after your treatment.
Are multiple laser skin tightening sessions needed?
You’ll notice improvements in your skin after just a single treatment, but we typically recommend a series of six treatments, one per month. That way the increased collagen production tends to build with each treatment.
Is laser skin tightening safe?
At Creative Image Laser Solutions, we only provide FDA-cleared laser treatments. They have all been proven to be safe and effective to gain this approval.
What are the risks and recovery?
Laser skin tightening has proven to be a safe painless method of rejuvenating moderately loose skin across your body. Remember that these are non-invasive treatments — the procedures don’t harm the epidermis in the least. Patients sometimes experience some minor redness and minor swelling on the treatment locations, but that passes quickly.
There is no recovery time. Patients can immediately return to work or play immediately following their laser skin tightening session.
Is laser skin tightening painful?
Before your session, we apply topical numbing cream. This keeps you comfortable during your session. Patients generally feel a warming sensation as the laser energy converts to heat in the dermis layer, but the sensation is not uncomfortable or painful.
Schedule a Consultation Today
If you’re interested in learning more about laser skin tightening please contact us for a consultation at (325) 641-1927 or fill out our contact us form. We will discuss your needs and concerns, and determine your best course of action.