Loose skin on the face and body can be a major source of discomfort, both physically and emotionally. Sagging tissues change one’s appearance, which ultimately has social and psychological effects. People who struggle with sagging skin often do not feel confident around others, and their self-esteem can suffer because of how their skin looks. Clothing may also be ill-fitting and excess skin can even cause pain and irritation. In the past, surgical trimming was the only way to effectively tighten loose skin on the face and body, but today’s patients have a wider range of options. SkinTyte, a non-surgical skin tightening procedure performed by Dr. Donath and his staff at Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgery, is a non-invasive way to tighten and contour excess skin.
What is SkinTyte?
Sciton’s new SkinTyte device delivers infrared light to the skin, leaving the upper layers intact and tightening the soft tissues below. Collagen, an essential structural component in the skin, is heated, forcing it to contract and form new, higher-quality collagen. Approved for use on the face and body, SkinTyte is non-invasive and performed in-office, requiring no anesthesia. There is no downtime or recovery. Patients may require multiple treatments to see optimal results. Because the procedure triggers the body’s natural responses to tighten skin, changes are gradual, and may take up to 90 days before the full effects can be seen.
Who Can Benefit from SkinTyte?
While lifting procedures remain the best option for dramatic skin removal following massive weight loss, SkinTyte is often a great solution for patients seeking moderate tightening of the skin. Following pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and aging, the structure of the skin changes, causing looseness. SkinTyte can be used to reduce sagging and improve contour.
Patients with laxity of the face and neck may be able to forego or postpone facelift and neck lift surgeries if they maintain some skin elasticity. SkinTyte can also be performed instead of or in addition to facial fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, and Perlane. SkinTyte can also be performed on the abdomen and arms, and can, in some cases replace or postpone the need for a tummy tuck or arm lift.
When evaluating individual candidacy, Dr. Donath or his provider will assess each patient to determine how much extra skin is present, and how much area skin may tighten after a SkinTyte session. This is done during a consultation at his office. After discussing the patient’s health, habits, and age, he can make suggestions for aesthetic improvements. Some people opt to undergo the infrared treatment in an effort to postpone more invasive lifting surgeries later in life.
Reasons to Undergo a Tightening Procedure
SkinTyte offers results that are typically visible immediately after treatment and continue to improve over time. Patients who may not be candidates for surgery are able to undergo the non-invasive treatment since it does not require any incisions or tissue removal. Further, there is no downtime associated with the procedure. Other than minor post-procedural tightness, patients will not experience any discomfort or side effects. There is no bruising or redness to cover, or swelling to control, and no necessary aftercare. The infrared light poses no risk to any skin tone and will not harm the upper layers of skin, making the treatment safe for those who scar easily.
Aside from its safety, SkinTyte is also effective in improving and correcting changes in the skin. Patients can rejuvenate aging skin and enjoy more attractive contours of the face and body. With each SkinTyte treatment, patients can expect firmer skin. From facial wrinkles and jowls to banding of the neck, the treated areas are restored to a younger age. Some patients look years younger after treatment. Patients who are self-conscious of their abdomen, upper arms, thighs, and buttocks can enjoy a non-surgical body makeover and better-fitting clothing. SkinTyte can also treat joint areas of the body like the elbows and knees, as this skin gets a near-constant workout with regular motion.
Each patient’s treatment plan can be personalized to suit his or her needs for individual cosmetic goals. Because no skin is removed, and the corrections are performed for mid-level tightening, the results are natural. There are no incisions and therefore no scars.
How is SkinTyte Performed?
A gel is applied to the skin to help transfer the light energy and to allow the handpiece to glide smoothly across the skin for a uniform treatment. The patient must don protective eyewear regardless of whether the face or body is treated. Next, the clinician adjusts the settings to ensure the correct amount of energy is directed below the skin. The procedure can then begin, and the handpiece is directed over each area requiring treatment.
SkinTyte generally takes anywhere from 30-90 minutes to perform, depending on how many areas the patient wishes to improve. Many patients can feel and see mild tightening after the first session. The treatments are performed 3-4 weeks apart, and many patients will require 5 treatments for an optimal aesthetic outcome. From the inside out, the skin rebuilds itself to create a stronger structure.
Complementary Treatment Combinations
SkinTyte may be combined with different procedures so patients can achieve their ideal look. In facial aging areas like the cheeks and lips can lose volume over time. Hyaluronic acid facial fillers can restore attractive contours by adding curvature to these features. Procedures like microneedling, microdermabrasion, and HydraFacial can improve the tone and texture of the skin. Though SkinTyte addresses the deeper layers of skin, a dewy finish is the result of treating both deeper and superficial layers of skin. Not only will the face appear tighter, but its texture and coloring can also be improved.
Patients who undergo skin tightening of the body may find that other cosmetic defects continue to age their appearance. Brown spots and pigmentation issues may be addressed through laser skin resurfacing, and serve as a great addition to SkinTyte treatments. Patients should be diligent about applying SPF to maintain the results of a more even skin tone and avoid further hyperpigmentation.
FAQs About SkinTyte
Is SkinTyte painful?
No, there is no need for any type of anesthesia because the handpiece has a specialized chilling surface that helps to ensure there is no significant pain or discomfort associated with the treatment. While certain non-surgical skin treatments like laser skin resurfacing and microneedling require a topical numbing agent because they produce sensations in the skin, infrared light does not cause any physical sensations. The epidermis maintains a temperature between 30-86 degrees Fahrenheit. There is no downtime after undergoing SkinTyte.
Where is SkinTyte performed?
Infrared light skin-tightening is an in-office treatment, and is conveniently carried out in a patient suite at Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Donath or one of the office’s expertly trained medical professionals will perform SkinTyte.
How does it work?
The energy emitted from the device penetrates the skin in pulses, reaching the dermal layer. This part of the organ is responsible for creating collagen and elastin, which are the components of skin that are responsible for its overall health and youthfulness. By affecting the skin at this depth, the light causes collagen to shrink and speeds up the renewal of both proteins.
Will I require multiple sessions?
Yes. Patients generally require about 5 treatments for the best results. Some notice improvements after a single appointment, though each session will provide an even greater outcome than the last as results are cumulative. The clinician may suggest fewer than 5 treatments if a patient responds exceptionally well to the procedure or requested corrections are minimal.
How do facial treatments vary from body treatments?
The same technology and equipment are utilized for these different locations, but the machine’s settings and the head of the device may be changed. This allows the clinician to accommodate smaller or larger areas of skin and the degree of improvement sought. Facial treatments will target forehead lines, crow’s feet, smile and laugh lines, lowered cheeks, and sagging jowls, while body treatments will focus on tightening skin and restoring youthful contours throughout the body. Popular treatment sites include the upper arms, elbows, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and knees, though it can be used on additional regions.
What other changes does SkinTyte produce?
SkinTyte sessions can shrink pore size, improve acne scars, and in some cases, it can help smooth uneven texture in the skin.
Dr. Alexander S. Donath, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Cincinnati, OH facial plastic surgeon Dr. Donath is an expert in elective medical procedures. From transformative surgeries of the face to gold-standard non-surgical skin treatments, the doctor offers a wide array of options for his patient’s needs. Dr. Donath is excited to offer SkinTyte to his patients so they can enjoy the effects of tighter skin without undergoing surgery.
Contact Dr. Donath and his medical staff at Cincinnati Facial Plastic Surgery to schedule a SkinTyte consultation by calling 1-877-416-FACE (3223).