1. What is skin tightening with the GentleYAG?
Skin tightening is a procedure by which you can have firmer, smoother skin on the face, chest, arms, stomach or other areas. By using the deep penetrating, yet safe wavelengths of light from the Candela GentleYAG laser, your skin can begin to see improvement after just one or two treatments.
2. How are treatments performed?
Generally, we will do three to five, 30 minute sessions with the laser spaced 1-2 weeks apart. Each treatment covers the entire area with multiple invisible, yet powerful laser pulses. Generally, the treatment produces a warming sensation within the skin and sometimes it feels more like a rubber band snapped on the skin.
3. When Will I See Results?
Results are often visible immediately. Optimal results are usually seen about 90 days after the fourth treatment, but may be seen in as little as 1-2 weeks after the second treatment. The laser produces tightening of the skin, reduced wrinkles, improvement in elasticity, improvement in skin texture, pore size and skin smoothness. While skin tightening with the GentleYAG is not a substitute for a face lift, it is an effective alternative to one. Patients who are not ready for face lift surgery or do not desire it, may find that this is just what they are looking for. If you plan on having a face lift, GentleYAG treatments can be used in conjunction to improve the quality of the skin, something face lift surgery cannot do.
4. Am I a Good Candidate for GentleYAG Skin Tightening?
The GentleYAG may be used as a stand-alone procedure or combined with our other advanced skin rejuvenation procedures such as fillers, BOTOX®, and Fraxel™ Laser. The GentleYAG can treat all skin types. There is no specific age limit for skin tightening in adults. If you feel you have excess, loose or sagging skin, you will likely benefit from this procedure. Also effective for acne scars, surgical scars and loose skin on the stomach, legs or arms, this procedure can be easily customized to address your problem areas.
4. Is There Any Downtime From GentleYAG Skin Tightening?
Generally, except for some mild temporary swelling and redness of the skin in the first 1-2 hours after the procedure, there is no downtime.
5. What Precautions Should I Take After the Skin Tightening Laser Treatment?
You should prevent sun exposure for a week following treatment. Applying a sunblock (SPF 30 or above) is recommended. Do not scrub the face in the first few days following treatment. Do not use any glycolic or alpha-hydroxy acid products following treatment. Treat your skin gently as if you had a sunburn.