How It Works!
Sometimes our skin ages faster than we want it to. It loses elasticity, it gets muddy looking, it breaks out, it gets wrinkly – it goes crazy. In fact, we lose about 1% of our elasticity every year after the age of 30. Collage breakdown is the main culprit. Grrr.
With our GentleYag, we are able to deliver a specific wave length of light into the skin, affecting a very specific area. The result is that collagen is revived and it gets back to doing what it is designed to do – make you look younger. The FDA allows us to call our laser skin tightening procedures non-surgical lifts. W
There is no down time with our skin tightening treatments.
You can get a skin tightening treatment on your lunch hour and return to work (if you want :-)). Your skin may look a little red, like you’ve had a nice workout. There is typically no swelling or bruising.
Tighten your face and neck:
We’ve found that you will look about ten years younger after about 200 days, if you will do a minimum of three treatments, spaced about six to eight weeks apart. Results are very gradual, though, so noone will really know that you've "had something done." Each treatment takes about 30 minutes, and you can go on your merry way to live your life.
We have two different methods: the Contact Method goes deep, deep, deep into the skin to awaken the collagen, while the Painting Method gives a shout out to the collagen. Both treatments are popular and effective. We recommend the Contact Method if you're over 40 years old, because - let's be honest - you've had a good and fun life and it may show more than you want.. This method does require the purchase and use of our numbing cream, applied by us at least 60 minutes prior to your treatment. Many people (regardless of age) do three treatments of the Contact Method then continue with the Painting Method to keep the collagen revved up.
The hand piece is moving over the entire face, pulse by pulse.
Why our lasers are the best:
Lasers of various wavelengths and other heat-delivering technologies have been marketed specifically for wrinkle reduction, including Thermage and Fraxel. However, the versatility of the high-powered GentleYAG, including its efficacy for skin tightening offers a superior and consistent result for a fraction of the cost, level of discomfort, and down time. There are a variety of setting and parameters that can be used, depending on the age of the skin, the depth of the wrinkles, and amount of discoloration, and the loss of elasticity.
- VERY IMPORTANT: Avoid being in the sun without sunscreen on the area(s) you’re having treated for 5 days prior to your treatment. This includes sunless tanning products, tanning beds, and spray tanning. IIn some cases, tanned skin can be lasered. However, PLEASE stay out of a tanning bed or away from spray tan or sunless tanning products AT LEAST 5 days prior to your treatment.
- Also, don’t use Retin A on the area(s) to be treated for 7 days prior to your treatment.
- If you have used Accutane in the past, you must have been off this product for at least six months before we can treat you.
- We do not perform laser treatments on pregnant women.
- Print, complete and bring the “Client Info and Medical History,” as well as “Laser Treatment Consent Form” found here to your appointment.
During the Treatment:
If you’ve never been to our office before, you’ll have some paperwork to complete (unless you bring it in), including a medical history, skin type chart, and laser consent form. This takes just a few minutes. Once in the treatment room, our technician has reviewed your history and has answered all your questions. You’ll need to take clothing off any area we’re treating. We’ll ensure there is no hair, makeup, or any product present on the area(s) we’re treating, then wipe the area to be treated with a wash cloth or baby wipe. We’ll calibrate the laser for your procedure, then you and the technician will don the appropriate safety goggles. Let the zapping begin! Typically, the laser pulses each section of your face with a 10mm spot size. Several passes are made over the treated area with the laser.
Length of Time for the Treatment:
A typical treatment on your face and neck will take about 25 minutes.
After the Treatment:
After a skin tightening treatment, the treated area will usually look a little flush, like you’ve just come off the tennis court with a victory. Your skin will be sensitive to the sun, so you’ll apply sunscreen before you leave our office. We have sunscreen for your use, so don’t worry about bringing in your own (though you can if you want). We also apply a product called Vitaclude, manufactured by Sanitas, which is like Neosporin for a laser treatment. It is part of a post-laser kit which we recommend you purchase, particularly if you get a treatment on your face. It contains a sensitive skin cleanser (your skin is sensitive now), as well as two moisturizers that are designed to help facilitate the healing. You will be able to go about your life after the treatment, and you can shower, apply makeup, etc. In other words, there’s no down time after a skin tightening treatment. Post treatment aftercare instructions are found here: Learn More
Your Appointment:
Your appointment will be confirmed via an email reminder, as well as a phone call and/or text message from our office, no later than the day prior to your appointment. Please arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time. Because appointments often take less than ten minutes, if you are running more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, we will have to reschedule your appointment. If this happens, or if you should need to cancel your appointment on the same day of your treatment (or if you forget about it) or are unable to give us an 18-hour notice that you need to change or cancel your appointment, you will lose this treatment. If you have too recent sun exposure and we are unable to do your treatment, you will lose the treatment. Good news, though: you can repurchase and replace this appointment for the price you originally paid for it. Rescheduling the missed appointment is subject to our availability.
