What Is Skin Tightening?

Skin tightening refers to certain non-surgical techniques that change the look of the skin around the face and stomach. Non-surgical methods tend to be less invasive, have fewer complications and are less expensive. They are based on new technologies and there has not been sufficient research on their effectiveness of long-term impacts.

Non-surgical techniques for tightening skin rely on sending controlled radio waves and ultrasound deep into the skin in order to improve collagen production (which gives skin its elasticity). Handheld ultrasound devices are available that can be used at home although without a trained user results may be ineffective. The process of using controlled radio waves to improve or ‘wake up’ collagen in the skin is usually performed in a provider’s office but does not require anesthesia and there is no recovery time involved and results may take some time to be noticeable – typically four months or so.