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Skin tightening with lasers
2009-01-21
Skin tightening with lasers
Patient Melanie:
Hello Dr. Crippen, I am worried about loose and "saggy" skin now that I have
lost some weight. My particular areas of concern are my neck and stomach,
do you have any treatments for this?
Dr. Crippen
Thank you for your question Melanie, we have many patients that are seeking answers
to the question you have posed.
Skin tightening with lasers is a relatively new science Melanie, but we do have some
excellent options in this regard. All of us as we age lose elasticity in our skin due
to a variety of factors, the most important being sun exposure throughout our
lifetime. Smoking and inadequate nutrition can also lead to quickening of this
process by damaging the specific elements in the skin that keep it firm and supple.
Our Affirm laser tightens skin by directing light energy into the skin. This energy heats
the collagen under the surface of the skin and induces our own bodies to build
new and firmer tissue. The process of building collagen takes time, but yields "natural" results as we
are not injecting anything into the skin, but rather encouraging our own bodies to
manufacture new building blocks underneath the surface. Most patients have little
to no discomfort with the procedure and we usually find that multiple treatments
can maximize results. The Affirm reduces wrinkles, treats scars and improves overall
skin texture as well as tightens the skin. It is highly effective in the treatment of acne scars,
lines and wrinkles on the neck, chest and hands, and stretch marks.
Today, cosmetic medicine helps you achieve a more youthful look that you will fall in love with through the Affirm laser treatment. Treatments are extremely comfortable because we apply a topical anesthetic about 15 minutes prior to use of the Affirm laser. You should expect a sunburn-like redness and sensation of heat in the hours immediately after your laser treatment. You can resume your normal activities the following day.
For optimum benefits, 3 to 6 treatments are required, over the course of 3 to 6 months. You can continue to wear cosmetics during this time. Within about a week, you should see the first signs of skin rejuvenation, with noticeable improvements at around 2 months. During your course of treatment, and for at least 3 months following your final procedure, you should be conscientious about using sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
There are many new and exciting technologies to firm skin and reduce wrinkles,
this is just one of the many procedures available to our patients.
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