Minimally Invasive Laser Techniques for Loose & Wrinkled Skin in Northridge, Los Angeles, CA

Understanding the causes of wrinkled or loose skin and how to prevent them is a great start to determining how you will personally take charge. The majority of the answer to this lies in a combination of natural biological and physical phenomena, mainly age, and ultraviolet light exposure, however, there are several other factors that increase the chances of developing loose skin and wrinkles. The older we get, collagen production decreases, meaning that the production of the major support protein to keep skin firm decreases, and as a result, wrinkles and loose skin can occur. Ultraviolet light from the sun is a form of ionizing radiation, meaning that its high energy levels are enough to damage cells over time. To combat this, sunscreen is a great option as well as avoiding direct sun exposure and direct UV exposure from devices such as tanning beds. Beyond these, several other factors can directly increase the chances of loose and wrinkled skin as mentioned above. Facial movements such as smiling, frowning, and the like will cause some amount of natural wrinkles, while substance use can cause a depletion of antioxidants, inflammation, and general cellular damage. In addition, consistent mental stress has been shown to decrease telomere lengths, which correlates with aging. With the causes laid out, you can now make the necessary decisions regarding how to approach wrinkled and loose skin.

In short, yes, loose skin can be tightened through a variety of laser procedures and they are becoming increasingly popular. Ablative lasers, such as carbon dioxide lasers, are some of the most common and work by removing the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) and heating the dermis, (underneath skin), and in turn stimulates collagen production, which is of great importance since collagen is the protein responsible for the underlying structure of the skin. These procedures are non-invasive and generally very safe when performed by properly qualified individuals, however, mild swelling and redness can occur due to the procedure. With that being said, it is still a great idea to consult with a dermatologist or healthcare professional who specializes in the treatment to determine if laser skin tightening is the proper route to take.

It is a great idea to inquire about the number of sessions it takes to see significant results when considering cosmetic procedures especially to get a sense of the financial component, and laser skin tightening is no different. In general, people can expect to see improvement in their skin after just one session, however, it will not yield the best results. It is commonly recommended for anywhere from 3-6 sessions with a one-month interval between each to achieve the best results for patients. Nonetheless, every person has different circumstances and responds differently to the procedure, so it is essential to make sure your team of laser skin tightening professionals is able to clearly state the best options for you prior to pursuing the treatment.

Since laser skin tightening is a very broad term, it is hard to quantify the exact proportion of success of the treatment. In addition to this, the results derived from the procedure will be related to many confounding factors as well, such as how a patient cares for their skin (nutrition, exposure to UV light, substance use, etc.), and genetics to an extent. Despite this, satisfaction surveys and studies in regard to laser-based cosmetic skin tightening procedures have been done, and the results have shown to be positive. The medical journal Jama Network has reported that the first day following the procedure is the day with the most skepticism towards the results of the treatment, about 37%, however, over the following days, the vast majority of people begin to recommend and would have the procedure again, 85-89%. On a larger time, scale, about 30 months from their initial procedure, the proportion of patients who felt their appearance improved, would recommend and would have the procedure again were 88%, 75%, and 71%. So, while it is hard to quantify the exact chance of success of a single laser skin tightening procedure, you can interpret how others have reported their experience and determine whether or not it will be an option for you.

Call us today to take your first step toward a more youthful you! We serve clients from Northridge CA, West LA, Los Angeles CA, Porter Ranch CA, San Fernando CA, Calabasas CA, Woodland Hills CA, Hidden Hills CA, Granada Hills, and BEYOND.