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By Suheil Khuri M.D.
The main factors that contribute to our body losing or disrupting the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin leading to it becoming loose and sagging are:
1. Aging
2. Smoking
3. Sun Damage
4. Poor Health & Nutrition
5. Excessive weight loss
6. Genetics
7. Others
Surgery like face-lift and abdominoplasty has been the gold standard for the treatment of loose skin. In recent years non-surgical skin tightening alternatives have become very popular, as they are less invasive and quite effective procedures to correct skin laxity, wrinkles and volume loss and bring back the younger look that you are looking for.
These newer non-surgical procedures are good for:
A. Those with mild to moderate skin laxity in the face, neck, arms, thighs and abdomen. Severe and excessive skin laxity will usually require surgical intervention.
B. Skin laxity after weight loss, surgical procedures, or pregnancy
C. Those looking for improvement in their skin quality
Radiofrequency (RF) is one of those non-aggressive, non-invasive and quite effective methods used for skin tightening.
Radiofrequency (RF) energy is a form of electromagnetic energy. When applied to the skin, it results in the generation of heat. RF heats the body tissue and raises the body temperature of the area it is applied to. This generated heat will:
1. Increase blood circulation and induce the formation of new blood vessels
2. Increase natural lipolysis (breakdown of triglycerides)
3. Stimulate the fibroblast to produce collagen
4. Enhance the elasticity of collagen and the septae (tight bands) in the skin
These changes that occur by the heat generated through radiofrequency lead to:
1. Shrinkage of fat cells and fat chambers leading to decreased volume (tighter contour)
2. Shrinkage of the collagen fibers leading to tightening of the skin
3. Increased skin elasticity and improved skin texture leading to an improved and healthier look
Among the more technologically advanced RF machines is the Viora Reaction™ machine. The Viora Reaction™ is a bipolar RF device with vacuum suction that has the ability to deliver RF energy to a specific depth in the upper or lower dermis (deeper skin layer). This leads to skin tightening, contouring and rejuvenation.
The ability to control the depth of penetration and the amount of heat generated, associated with controlled vacuum suction makes the use of this device for skin tightening very safe and effectively useable in many areas of the body. Thus it can be used in the: face, neck, arms, abdomen, thighs, hips, love handles and other areas.
Depending on the size of the area and the amount of laxity usually one area will need several RF sessions (4 – 6 or more) done 1-2 weeks apart for best results.
