As we age, our skin loses elasticity and tightness, resulting in a lax or saggy appearance. This can also contribute to lines, wrinkles, and crepey-looking skin, which can make you look sad, tired, or angry even when you’re not. Fortunately, there are several ways to tighten and firm the skin without surgery or longer downtime.
Infrared is one energy that offers natural-lifting results. It is a non-invasive procedure, which means that you won’t have cuts, wounds, or longer recovery. What infrared does is heat the skin’s deeper layers, delivering the right intensity of energy to the dermis. This results in controlled tissue damage, which then activates the healing process and stimulates collagen production.
At Cutis, we have two non-invasive skin tightening procedures that use infrared light: Titan and NIR Cinderella. Both create deep dermal heating, causing an immune response that stimulates the production of collagen and elastin. Continue reading to learn how these treatments can give you a more youthful appearance.
What it is: Titan is US FDA-approved for non-invasive skin tightening and lifting. It uses a safe, infrared light that heats the dermis well below the surface of the skin to promote new collagen. It can tighten and enhance skin tone on the face, chin, jawline, neck, and other areas of the body.
How it works: It works in two ways. First, Titan heats the stretched and weakened collagen, causing it to contract and thicken. Seconds, it triggers the body’s self-healing properties, creating micro-injuries in the dermis that also jumpstarts collagen production. This can lead to gradual firming and tightening of the skin in the succeeding months.
Can be used to improve:
Pain, side effects, and downtime: There is a brief, warming sensation during the procedure, but many patients find it comfortable. Also, there is continuous cooling that protects the skin and enables dermal heating without harming the epidermis.
You can expect some redness after the procedure, but this dissipates within a few hours. There may also be some swelling that can last for a few days to weeks. And as Titan is non-invasive, there is minimal to no downtime, which means you can immediately return to your normal routines.
Results to expect: You may see improvements almost immediately, but significant results appear within three to six months. This is the period when new collagen is formed and tightens the skin. The new collagen can improve lines, folds, and lax skin.
The recommended number of treatments is between three and four. Results can last for one to two years, although this still varies from patient to patient. And as aging is a continuous process, an annual touch-up is recommended.
Another notable thing with Titan is that it provides a more uniform distribution of heating the dermis than other energy sources. It can also be combined with other procedures such as laser skin rejuvenation, botulinum toxin, and dermal fillers.
For further reading: What Makes Titan Skin Tightening Different?
What it is: NIR or Near Infrared Skin Tightening is a non-invasive rejuvenation treatment for tightening and contouring the skin. It can also reduce the appearance of cellulite. As previously mentioned, it stimulates collagen growth that can improve aging, sagging, and crepey-looking skin.
How it works: Using a high-power light source in the near-infrared spectrum, NIR heats the deeper layers and water in the tissues. This then causes the collagen fibers to contract and tighten, as well as the fibroblast to repair skin cells and create collagen. NIR can soften lines and wrinkles and reduce the appearance of loose skin.
Pain, side effects, and downtime: As NIR raises tissue temperature, you may feel slight discomfort during the procedure and a warming sensation similar to being on a sunbed. Fortunately, it has a cooling system that keeps the skin from feeling too warm.
There is also redness and mild swelling, but these subside within several hours. And just like Titan, there is no downtime, so you can immediately return to your normal activities.
Results to expect: You may notice an improvement in the skin’s firmness immediately after the procedure, but this is partly due to slight swelling. When this subsides, you’ll see more changes, with the area feeling firmer and smoother.
You can see significant results after two to three months, or the period when the skin starts to create new collagen. You will also need multiple treatments, particularly if you have prominent laxity or wrinkles.
NIR Skin Tightening is also referred to as Cinderella Treatment, as it can transform the skin with almost no downtime. It can lift, tighten, and contour the skin, providing a “Cinderella effect” or making you feel as if you’re transformed as Cinderella.
For further reading: Can You Fix or Improve Crepey Skin?
Both Titan and NIR are not meant to replace surgical facelifts and other invasive procedures. They are a good option if you have mild to moderate laxity or are not willing or ready for surgery. Both offer visible but modest or natural-looking results; not as dramatic as that of surgery.
If you’re worried about saggy, wrinkled, or crepey-looking skin, don’t hesitate to consider Titan or NIR Skin Tightening. Contact Cutis Medical Lasers Clinics in Singapore to learn more or book a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors.
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