Non-invasive cosmetic procedures that will keep your skin taut from head to toe.
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Skin-tight
Elastin fibres keep skin firm and taut, but they weaken over time, leading to loose, sagging skin. While sun exposure and smoking are contributors, genes are also to blame. Two new procedures can tighten your skin from head to toe.
•Best for...FACE AND BODY: Thermage.
Used only for the face initially, Thermage (a device that uses radio frequency waves) can now be applied anywhere on the body to combat concerns like batwing arms and post-baby tummies. "It won't give you the effects of a tummy tuck, but it does work to tighten sagging skin by firming collagen fibres and causing new collagen cells to form," says Weksberg. At up to $5,000 per session, the treatment can be pricey, but results last longer than a year and show improvement up to six months after treatment.
•Best for...FACE, NECK AND CHEST: ReFirme.
Like Thermage, this new treatment tightens slackened skin, but it uses both infrared light and radio frequency waves. "It heats the dermis so that the collagen crunches up, resulting in tighter skin," says Dr. Vera Madison, a physician in Toronto. Although any body part can be treated, it works best on upper body zones, such as the chin, chest and nasolabial folds. Most patients require five to eight sessions ($450 to $650 each) and can immediately return to their regular activities post-treatment. Results can last up to two years.
Increasingly, dermatologists are doubling up on treatments for better results. Weksberg uses a combination of Botox, lasers and injectable fillers, while Carruthers says that using Botox and fillers together with cosmetic surgery (such as a facelift) can mean fewer visits to the dermatologist's office for touch-ups. "Not only does it enhance results, but the hyaluronic acid fillers can last up to eight months [instead of the usual four to six months] because the muscles are relaxed and not rubbing against the fillers in your daily facial gestures and speech."
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