As sagging skin becomes more pronounced with aging, laser skin tightening comes to the rescue in helping decrease skin laxity or loose skin by increasing collagen production through heat and the wound healing process. Different laser treatments improve skin laxity on other body parts based on aesthetic needs, and one of these is YAG Skin Tightening. It heats the collagen in the deep dermis and causes a tightening and lifting effect to restore the youthful contours to the face. YAG laser can successfully treat almost everything from wrinkles and visible veins to brown spots and scars, at the same time, used for laser hair removal and tattoo removal. Yag laser produces high power and short pulse duration wavelength to treat deeper wrinkles and prominent lines effectively. In fact, older patients with thinner and drier skin are mainly the best target audience for this as it works better on such skin conditions.
How Does Yag Laser Skin Tightening Work?
The treatment utilizes The ND: Yag with a 1064nm wavelength that helps penetrate deep into the skin tissue, reaching the dermis. Hence, the tightening effects are immediate, but the best results come down the line when the effects of collagen production become evident. The ND: Yag Laser provides a uniform energy distribution for heating the deep dermis, ensuring a consistent tightening result to the area that is being treated.
After one treatment, the immediate tightening effect should be visible, but the best results are seen after three treatments spaced 3-4 weeks apart. ND: Also, Yag Skin Tightening is safely performed on all skin types. Yag Skin Tightening addresses skin elasticity problems by delving light energy into the dermis and converted to thermal energy.
The deep layer of skin where collagen resides is then impacted in 2 ways;
The existing collagen fibers in the area being treated should start to contract and plump up, which should provide the immediate tightening effect after the treatment.
The skin cells that produce new collagen are stimulated to switch on the production of new collagen, which will mature over the next 90 days and with improved results over the next few months. Of course, the result is a smoother, tighter, more toned look naturally.
Who Are Good Candidates For Skin Tightening?
A good candidate would depend on the type of YAG laser used, but most skin types can be treated safely. The same goes for anyone with mild to moderate skin laxity who is not yet ready for surgery's expense or the downtime is a good candidate. Knowing its efficiency, patients will experience little to no discomfort and go about their day post-treatment, as there is no downtime. In fact, people with fair to light skin tones usually respond best to treatment with the YAG laser. With longer wavelengths and durations of pulse that lower the risk of skin damage, the laser can be relatively safe and effective for people with brown or deep skin tones. Still, it is crucial to have a consultation with a doctor who can determine the right course of treatment.
What To Expect During The Treatment?
Prior to the treatment, avoid using retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic or salicylic acids, or astringents for a week, as these can irritate the skin when coupled with a laser. In case of cold sores, the doctor will prescribe antiviral medication and an antibiotic before the treatment. The treatment usually starts with the application of numbing cream to the face. Some people also prefer additional pain medication (either over-the-counter or a prescription like Valium). Once the face is numb, the doctor or an experienced laser provider will apply a water-based gel to help protect the skin before gliding the laser across the area. The procedure can take 15 minutes to two hours, dependent on the extent of work requested.
What Is the Recovery Time After The Treatment?
Yag Skin Tightening's best part is having no downtime or surface injury to the skin. As a matter of face, a patient can return to work or reapply makeup immediately following the procedure, but best advised not to drive home. Also, the full face or neck can be treated in about 45 minutes, and there is an immediate pinking effect that subsides within the first hour after treatment; mild swelling typically subsides within a few hours to a day. Nonetheless, the healing time will depend on the type of laser and the energy level used, and how many times the laser passes over the area. After the treatment, a person may experience some mild swelling, redness, itching, or scabbing at the treatment site. Side effects shouldn't stop a person from daily activities, but allot a social downtime of five to seven days since some patients may also have bruising, lasting for 7–14 days.
What Does The Result Look Like?
Results will be seen in 2 phases, with the initial phase consisting of tightening the already present collagen. The subtle yet visible results can usually be seen immediately; on the other hand, the second phase slowly occurs as the body initiates natural healing of wound response and creates new collagen, which provides long-term tightening. More importantly, tightening will continue to improve for four to six months after the last treatment, then stabilize. The good news is a lot of clients see some results after one treatment; however, four to six treatments are generally recommended. The usual recommendation of these treatments is performed 4-5 weeks apart.
The Bottom Line
YAG lasers have become a staple in many dermatology and plastic surgery offices that help build up the collagen bond, inducing firmer, smoother skin on the face, chest, arms, stomach, or other areas. Defy Med Aesthetics & Salon offers a Quanta Light Star YAG laser skin tightening that uses deep penetrating yet safe wavelengths of light from its laser. The skin can begin to see some improvement after just one or two treatments, although 4-5 are typically recommended. In addition, clients can return to their normal activities immediately, but the use of broad-spectrum sunscreen is mandatory to protect the treated skin. Still, following a good skin care regimen to maintain results is necessary. Ultimately, although the treatment is relatively comfortable on its own, they use a Zimmer chiller to help cool the skin during the treatment and make the treatment virtually painless for all their clients.
