Laser Skin Tightening - What You Need To Know

As we age, so does our skin. It's inevitable. Not everyone ages the same way either. While one person still has smooth skin, another person the same age has bumps, sags, and wrinkles and looks older than their real age. When that happens, there are treatments to reverse the signs of aging. Laser skin tightening can remove the wrinkles and smooth out the skin to get you back to feeling your younger self again.

The skin tightening process
Laser skin tightening uses a non-ablative laser to perform a minimally invasive procedure. The laser cosmetic equipment uses intense pulses of light to target cells in the dermis (lower layer of skin), heating the cells. That heat makes the skin contract in reaction while gently stimulating the cells to produce new collagen in order to repair damaged cells. So your skin tightens and over time, the collagen will thicken the skin and heal it to rejuvenate it.

How long it takes
First understand that the laser procedure used is non-ablative and minimally invasive. What that means is that it bypasses the surface of the skin leaving it intact. Not damaging the skin's surface means there is almost no downtime and that you can return to your normal routine usually the same day. Ablative procedures cause damage to the skin's surface and requires recovery time from days to weeks. Another difference between the two types of treatments is that ablative processes take one session while non-ablative often takes two or three sessions to get the results you are looking for. The sessions themselves can take as little as fifteen minutes for a small area to a couple hours for a large area.

Where to find laser treatments
At the present time, you can obtain laser therapy through a medical practice, spa, or cosmetic clinic. There are many different procedures involving lasers and other devices. The devices for performing procedures are extremely expensive to purchase, so cosmetic practitioners generally specialize in only a few different procedures at their clinic. Your own physician or dermatologist can help you find a local clinic. Just be sure to verify their reputation and ratings before making an appointment.

Taking care of skin at home
Once you have had laser skin care, it's up to you what happens next. Remembering to take good care of your skin at home will make your treatment last longer.

Clean skin: When exposed to toxins such as heavy dust or smoking, it's best to clean your skin right afterwards. Although you may not see it, those toxins are causing damage. One of the worst toxins is leaving makeup on overnight. Always remove contaminants before going to bed.

Exfoliate: Once per week, exfoliate your skin with a sugar scrub or an exfoliating face wash. This helps to remove any dead skin cells from the surface so the healthy cells are revealed.

Moisturize: Skin needs hydration, so be sure to use a moisturizer for your particular skincare needs. Even if you don't think you need any, your skin tells a different story.

Reduce sun exposure: You may love the tanned look, but your skin doesn't. Overexposure to the sun pre-ages the skin and turns it to the consistency of leather. Use SPF 30 or higher when outside. Many moisturizers combine hydration with sun protection, providing a powerful combination of protection.