Facial tightening methods vary between surgical and non-surgical approaches. Among the most popular non-surgical methods is laser facial tightening. What is this technique? How is it performed? Are there any side effects? Follow us in this article to learn all about this technique in detail.
What is Laser Facial Tightening?
It is a technique that relies on lasers for facial tightening, where specific types of lasers, such as CO2 laser, are used. Strong laser beams characterized by high temperature are emitted to affect the outer layer of the skin.
This can help eliminate wrinkles in the skin that cause sagging, and can also get rid of skin laxity.
Benefits of Laser Facial Tightening
Laser facial tightening can help treat skin sagging, in addition to a number of other benefits it provides, including:
- Eliminating deep and superficial wrinkles.
- Tightening the skin, especially around the eye area, as well as in other areas of the face.
- Some types can be used to get rid of sagging skin on the neck.
- Helps lift the eyebrow and eyelid area, as well as the cheeks.
- Increasing skin smoothness.
- Eliminating pigmentation that may appear on the skin surface.
- Giving the skin a healthy and more youthful appearance.
- Laser treatment for smile lines.
Is the procedure suitable for everyone?
This procedure may not be suitable for some individuals with specific health problems, and the procedure may not be performed for a certain category, namely:
- Individuals suffering from a very widespread acne breakout on the face.
- Severe skin sagging that cannot be treated with this procedure.
- Women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Individuals suffering from a weakened immune system.
Read also: Different Facial Tightening Methods
Laser Facial Tightening Method
The mechanism of laser facial tightening relies on laser beams that target specific areas of the outer layer of the skin. The heat from the laser stimulates the skin layers, which in turn stimulates certain elements, especially collagen, which helps produce new, tighter skin cells with a better texture. To perform this procedure, the following steps are taken:
Preparation for the Procedure
Preparation for the procedure may begin several weeks in advance, involving the use of certain treatments prescribed by the doctor to prepare the skin and reduce the chances of complications or side effects after the procedure.
The doctor will also advise stopping certain medications, as well as quitting smoking, which should be stopped two weeks before the procedure. Some antibiotics may be taken as a preventive measure to prevent infection after the procedure.
Performing Laser Facial Tightening
On the day of the procedure, the doctor will begin by preparing the face using a local anesthetic, which will be applied to the entire facial skin. The purpose of its use is to reduce pain, thus ensuring the person undergoing the procedure feels completely comfortable.
After this step, the doctor cleans the face and ensures that the skin is free of any harmful elements, whether bacteria, oils, or dirt. Once the face cleaning process is complete, the doctor will move on to the next step, which is using the laser.
The laser device is moved slowly over the facial area to stimulate the area, while wearing protective eyewear during the procedure to protect the eyes. The procedure usually takes approximately forty-five minutes to an hour to treat some areas of the face, but it may take two full hours if the procedure is to be performed on the entire face.
After the Procedure
Some steps are taken immediately after the procedure, where some creams or ointments are applied, and the doctor may place a bandage on the area for 24 hours to protect the face.
Read also: Face lift injections and their results
Results of Laser Facial Tightening
The full effect of the results may take several weeks or months to appear, and more than one session may be performed according to the doctor's assessment to see noticeable results, especially since after the first session, the most prominent change may be in the skin's appearance and color.
The recovery process from the session takes approximately 10 to 21 days for the skin to return to normal, while the redness on the skin may take longer to completely disappear.
How long does laser facelift last?
The results of this procedure can last for several years, provided that it is performed by a professional doctor, but the procedure may need to be performed again after several years because the results are not permanent.
Read also: Non-surgical face lift techniques
What are the side effects of laser facelift?
This procedure can cause some side effects, as is the case with most cosmetic procedures, as it can cause:
- Redness in the skin layers.
- Appearance of some pimples on the skin.
- Possibility of developing a rash.
- Swelling in different areas of the face where the procedure was performed.
- Possibility of pigmentation in different areas of the face.
- Suffering from some skin burns.
- Skin scarring.
- Skin peeling.
- Possibility of feeling itchy.
Tips after laser facelift
Certainly, there will be a set of tips that must be fully adhered to to avoid any complications or side effects, as the following must be done:
- Apply cold compresses to the skin, and they should be applied every two hours or every hour in some cases for a quarter of an hour, and this should be done for 48 hours.
- Using creams prescribed by the doctor to reduce swelling, and these creams may be steroids.
- Sleeping in a specific way that reduces swelling, and usually, sleeping on an extra pillow is recommended.
- Using some moisturizers that may help reduce redness.
- Using sunscreen with an SPF greater than 30, and it must contain specific ingredients, specifically zinc oxide, which should have a concentration higher than 7%.
- Avoiding sun exposure, in addition to wearing certain types of clothing that cover the body and face, as wearing a hat is preferred.
- Not using products containing retinoids and glycolic acid for a period of time that may extend up to 6 weeks or more, as per the doctor's instructions.
- Adjusting the skincare routine, where a saline solution or an acidic-based cleanser prescribed by the doctor is used to maintain facial cleanliness.
How much does laser facelift cost?
The costs of the procedure vary from one place to another and depend on the area where the laser will be used. The cost of a full facelift differs from the cost of lifting specific parts of it, and it may vary if the neck will be lifted along with the face.
However, the average cost can range between 22,000 SAR and 42,000 SAR, and the experience of the doctor performing the procedure can play a significant role in determining the price and cost of the procedure.
Laser facelift is resorted to as a therapeutic solution for people suffering from sagging problems resulting from medical conditions, and some may resort to it for cosmetic purposes. To perform it for treating excessive sagging, a doctor with sufficient skill and experience must be chosen to perform the procedure.
And if you suffer from a health problem that has led to facial sagging in one way or another, you can seek the help of L'ORO's team of doctors to assess the condition and develop an appropriate plan. Book now.