A skin-tightening treatment is either a nonsurgical or surgical treatment that addresses loose skin. Some of these treatments can also diminish the appearance of dark spots, wrinkles, fine lines, and more, further contributing to a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance.
Dr. Alyson Wells is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience helping patients address sagging skin and imperfections. At Valley Plastic Surgery, Dr. Wells and her medical aesthetics team will personalize your treatment plan for your specific aesthetic goals and underlying anatomy.
Contact our office online or call (410) 628-8200 to learn more about how skin tightening treatments can help you rejuvenate your appearance and give you the attractive, smooth skin you desire.
About Skin Tightening Near Baltimore
As we age, the skin’s collagen and elastin levels naturally decline, often resulting in laxity or loose skin. Our nonsurgical skin tightening treatments primarily work to increase your collagen levels, remove imperfections, and exfoliate dead skin, giving your skin better structure, firmness, and elasticity, while also increasing its resiliency and ability to repair itself. Our surgical options, on the other hand, work by removing excess skin.
CO2 Laser Treatments for Skin Tightening
CO2 laser treatments use lasers to subtly tighten the skin and diminish other signs of aging. During the treatment, beams of laser energy penetrate the skin. This energy is absorbed as heat, which targets imperfections, stimulates collagen production, and promotes cellular turnover. CO2 lasers can also address:
- Periocular wrinkles: CO2 treatments can reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes and are more effective at reducing periocular wrinkles than blepharoplasty. (1) (2)
- Rough skin texture: Your skin will emerge smoother and with fewer wrinkles as it begins to heal itself. (3)
- Benign lesions: Laser treatments can address moles and blemishes.
- Scars: CO2 lasers can address raised and sunken scars by improving collagen levels. (4)
Our CO2 lasers are ablative, meaning they resurface the top layer of the skin. (5)
Ellacor
Ellacor is a microcoring treatment that tightens the skin and reduces wrinkles. It can address mild skin laxity by refreshing the skin’s deeper layers and stimulating collagen production. With Ellacor, we can address:
- Nasolabial folds
- Perioral wrinkles
- Jowling
- Cheek laxity
- Droopy jawline
- Upper neck sagging
Ellacor does not cause thermal damage to the skin, and many patients describe the treatment as comfortable. You can enjoy beautiful results without scarring, and microcoring is ideal for sensitive skin.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a non-surgical rejuvenation method that can treat loose skin throughout the body. This treatment uses a specialized needle device to make micropunctures throughout the skin, which stimulates collagen production and healing reactions. This process can also enhance the efficacy of various topical products, as they can now reach deeper layers of skin.
Chemical Peels
Valley Plastic Surgery offers various chemical peel treatments to rejuvenate, resurface, and tighten the skin. Chemical peels are specialized solutions that remove the dead, damaged outer layers of skin to reveal the fresh, unaffected layers beneath. As this process occurs, collagen production is stimulated, which then tightens the skin and helps it remain durable.
Surgical Skin Tightening
As a double board-certified plastic surgeon with countless hours of experience, Dr. Wells is one of Baltimore’s leading body sculpting specialists. In addition to various non-surgical skin tightening methods, Dr. Wells offers surgical solutions. These will remove excess skin, tighten underlying muscles, and frequently produce results that last longer than non-surgical methods. Some of these procedures include:
Candidates
Anyone with excess, loose, hanging skin may be eligible to receive a personalized skin-tightening treatment. The procedure that is best for your concerns will depend on where you have loose skin, how much loose skin you have, and your personal goals. Patients with milder skin laxity may see results with nonsurgical treatments, while those with more extensive sagging will likely benefit from surgical procedures.
All prospective candidates should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations for their results. Patients will likely need to delay their treatment if they have any active skin infections or a sunburn.
Certain treatments may not be the best option for all skin types; all patients will be able to explore their options and form an effective treatment plan during their consultation at our office.
Consultation
Your skin tightening journey will begin with a personal consultation. At this appointment, Dr. Wells will ask about your medical history, current medications, skin concerns, and aesthetic goals. Dr. Wells will answer any questions you have about your treatment and examine the areas of concern. With the necessary information collected, she will create your personalized treatment plan and outline what you can expect.
Get started today by scheduling your consultation. If you have any questions or prefer to schedule over the phone, please call our Baltimore office at (410) 628-8200.
Preparation
Preparation requirements will differ depending on the treatments you will undergo. Dr. Wells provides each patient with comprehensive preparation plans, so you will know what steps you need to take. Generally speaking, patients should avoid nicotine, alcohol, and any other medications or supplements with blood-thinning properties. We also advise staying hydrated, eating healthy, and avoiding excessive sun exposure before treatment. If you are undergoing any surgical skin tightening treatments, we ask that you arrange transportation home and take time away from work to recover.
Recovery
Recovery will look different depending on the procedure performed. After any treatment, you must avoid excessive sun exposure that could damage your skin. You should also avoid picking at your skin, as this can result in scarring. Patients can typically expect some soreness, redness, bruising, and swelling, though the level of each will vary depending on the procedures undergone. Side effects can often be managed with cold compresses, rest, and prescription medications if necessary. Patients who received non-surgical treatments can usually resume their normal routines immediately, but those who underwent surgery will need to follow Dr. Wells’ recovery and rest instructions.
Results
Following non-surgical skin tightening treatments, patients can see some improvements in their appearance almost immediately, although some results will be gradual as collagen improves over time. Surgical procedures will also showcase near-immediate improvements, though final results will be more apparent after healing progresses.
Cost of Skin Tightening Near Baltimore
The cost of skin tightening will depend on your specific treatment plan, including the procedures you choose to receive, the number of treatment sessions required, and your personal appearance goals. We will provide an all-inclusive price quote after assessing your concerns at your consultation. Valley Plastic Surgery also offers financing options to make your ideal appearance more accessible.
Contact our office online or call (410) 628-8200 to schedule your consultation and learn more about your skin tightening options!
FAQ
How many treatment sessions will I need to tighten my skin?
This depends on the condition of your skin and which procedures you receive. Some patients will require touch-up sessions for optimal results. Some treatments are best performed as a series.
Are there any risks of laser skin treatments?
Some patients experience skin inflammation or peeling and redness similar to a sunburn. Your specialist will outline all risks and carefully consider your medical history while planning your treatment to help minimize any potential risks.
How soon can I return to normal activities after skin tightening procedures?
This will depend on the procedures you receive, but most non-surgical treatments allow for an immediate return to normal activities, as long as sun exposure and over-exertion are avoided. Surgical procedures, on the other hand, will require you to schedule downtime from activities and take time off work.
Can I wear makeup after my skin tightening treatments?
You should refrain from wearing makeup for at least 24 hours after a nonsurgical treatment. We will provide specific instructions to help you care for your skin and prevent the risk of skin irritation. You will have to wait to wear makeup after a facial surgical procedure; your surgeon will let you know when it is appropriate.
References
- Carter SR, Seiff SR, Choo PH, Vallabhanath P. Lower eyelid CO2 laser rejuvenation. Ophthalmology. 2001;108(3):437-441. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0161-6420(00)00593-5
- Kotlus BS. Dual-Depth Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Resurfacing for Periocular Rhytidosis. Dermatologic Surgery. 2010;36(5):623-628. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2010.01516.x
- Tretti Clementoni M, Galimberti M, Tourlaki A, Catenacci M, Lavagno R, Bencini PL. Random fractional ultrapulsed CO2 resurfacing of photodamaged facial skin: long-term evaluation. Lasers in Medical Science. 2012;28(2):643-650. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-012-1116-1
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Grigoryan KV, Fusco I, Ronconi L, Tiziano Zingoni. Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy for Effective Treatment of Facial Traumatic Hypertrophic Scar: A Case Report. The American journal of case reports. 2024;25. doi:https://doi.org/10.12659/ajcr.942706