Skin Tightening : All The Best Methods and Devices To Get Results

Looking for skin tightening treatments because of saggy or loose skin? How to tighten loose skin? How to get rid of loose skin ? How to tighten face skin? You are at the right place to get some help for sagging skin 🙂

The body’s largest organ, our skin definitely causes us a considerable amount of worry. Forget ‘bad hair days’, ‘bad skin days’ are the new mood killer.

On the flip side, glowing, supple skin is something that makes us feel on top of the world. The world is awash with advice on how to look after your skin and it’s now collectively accepted that skincare trumps make-up every time.

Aside from managing those break-outs that make us want to hide inside our pillowcase rather than go to work, loose, crepey or sagging skin is really one of the main skin issues we all want to tackle.

But where do we even start ? Let’s break it down, right from the very beginning.

What is Skin?

Yup, before seeing how to tighten loose skin, we’re really getting back to basics here!

As Julie Andrews told us, starting at the very beginning is a very good place to start – and before you start researching skincare you’d better know what your skin actually consists of.

We already mentioned that it’s your largest organ. With three main layers working in unison to protect your body from harmful microbes, rays of light and chemicals, your skin is definitely doing its fair share of heavy lifting. It’s a living, ever-renewing tissue with tons going on.

The 3 skin layers :

• Epidermis
• Dermis
• Fat layer or hypodermis

The outer layer (essentially, the bit you see) is the epidermis, which has the task of making new skin cells and gives skin its colour. It’s constantly shedding dead cells – in fact, we shed around 500 million skin cells a day (you’ll either find that amazing or disgusting!).

Underneath that you’ll find the dermis, a thicker layer that creates sweat, contains nerve endings, grows hair and makes oil. There are also blood vessels here to keep your skin well-supplied with blood.

The bottom layer of your skin is the subcutaneous fat layer, also called hypodermis. While this might not sound sexy, it’s a vital part that controls body temperature, provides padding for your muscles and bones and attaches the dermis.

What happens to your skin with aging?

Aging brings us many great things – wisdom (hopefully!), more self-confidence, a stronger sense of your place in the world. Unfortunately, one of the less welcome guests of older age is a thinner and more easily damaged skin. Wrinkles and sagging skin seem to appear overnight and the signs of a hangover stay on our skin for days!

So why does this happen?

Well, firstly, as with many things your epidermis erodes with age and becomes more transparent, therefore reflecting less light – goodbye, youthful glow!  This thinning also means that blood vessels are more visible and bruising happens more easily.

If you’ve delved into the world of skincare before, you’ll have heard of collagen and elastin time and time again. These two proteins – working their magic all through your body – start to break down over time due to less active functioning of the cells that make collagen as proven with this clinical study. 

Additionally, the connective tissue in your skin that usually supports your cartilage and bones starts to weaken over time, making it easier for fat and skin to slip as you get older.

We know these aren’t exactly the most appealing of images! And as your skin is simultaneously losing its elasticity and strength while gravity does its work, there is little chance of it ‘bouncing back’ the way it could when were younger.

Simply put, your body just doesn’t work as fast when it’s older. Repair and regeneration takes longer, and your skin is included in that.

So after all this theory, let’s see how to tone loose skin.

What can we do about it? How to tighten face skin and fight aging ? 

So, enough of this doom and gloom. Is there anything we can do about it? How to tighten loose skin? Can loose skin be tightened? Can we do it or is it a lost cause?

Good news: it’s definitely not a lost cause!

And there’s no need to rush into plastic surgery, either for face lifting or tummy tuck and anything in between. While this has admittedly great results, we understand why it’s not everyone’s first choice. Expensive, painful and with a long recovery time, you also don’t want to not look like ‘you’. 

So how to tighten face skin? From medical treatments to at-home remedies, we’ve brought together some of the best skin tightening treatments to keep that mirror, mirror on the wall showing you looking as young on the outside as you feel on the inside.

In this complete guide about skin tightening, we will cover:

Are you ready? then, let’s take a look one by one.

Medical Procedures for skin tightening

For all skin tightening procedures that avoid the use of surgery, the aim will be to get deep within the skin to heat and promote elastin production as well as stimulating collagen production. Over time, this will lead to a better texture and lifted/tightened skin. For those wondering , this could also be called natural skin tightening because we simply encourage your skin to produce more collagen and elastin.

Depending on the treatment chosen, different energy sources can be used and the targeted layer will vary from the superficial skin layer, the dermis and beyond.

One of the best ways to avoid surgery is through laser treatment, and this is one that has expanded thanks to technology and extensive investment. Perfect for loose skin, there are 3 main methods for laser skin tightening treatment:

• Ablative Laser Resurfacing
• Fractionated Laser Resurfacing
• Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Technique 1: Ablative Laser Resurfacing

What is it?

As the name suggests, this laser skin tightening treatment is intense and will aim to completely resurface the skin. Like an extreme facial peel, right? This solution WILL require sedation or anesthesia and will therefore have an extended recovery time. After removing the upper skin layers, the body will react and create new skin offering more elastin and collagen.

How does it work?

These lasers only use one wavelength of light to literally vaporize the skin. Currently, we can find 2 kinds of ablative lasers: carbon dioxide (CO2) such as Fraxel (re:pair ) and Erbium (YAG).

These lasers can penetrate deeply into the skin’s surface (though not as deeply as with Ultherapy or RF radiofrequency as we will see later on) and get rid of your old skin to let new skin be created. This new skin is younger, tighter and more elastic. As a bonus, imperfections and damage like dark spots or fine lines will also be improved.

The procedure

Unfortunately, ablative laser treatment won’t be like a visit to the spa. Instead, it’s similar to an outpatient surgical procedure as there will be some downtime. Since it can be intense, most specialists will recommend anesthesia or sedation; some pain medication may also keep you comfortable after too.

If you’re not too squeamish, you can look for ablative laser treatment on Google images and you’ll see the oozing skin that shows after the procedure. If on the face, a mask will be required for a couple of days, you’ll need to avoid the sun, healing ointments will be recommended, and full recovery will take about 3 – 4 weeks.

Why choose this solution?

We haven’t exactly made ablative laser treatment sound glamorous, so why should you choose it? Ablative lasers can help acne scars, facial skin resurfacing, uneven tone, shallow wrinkles, and more as long as it is on the superficial skin level. However, it cannot treat deep wrinkles or extremely sagging skin. In fact, some kinds of ablative lasers can penetrate a bit deeper so it would help with deeper wrinkles, but the deeper the laser the more invasive the procedure ( and you’re probably reading about lasers to avoid invasive options!).

You probably guessed it: since the focus here is on the upper layers of skin, there is only a moderate tightening effect with this treatment for those with mild sagging skin.

Cost

Sadly, ablative lasers aren’t cheap and you could pay $2,500 just for a section of your face. Bear this in mind while considering your options!

Benefits

• Brand-new skin with improved collagen and elastin.
• Effective with superficial skin damage
• Results that have the potential to last for around three to five years.

Drawbacks

• does not reach the deeper skin level so the tightening is only mild.
• This solution doesn’t suit everybody (this is an understatement!) and it all depends on your skin. Those with darker skin won’t have the same results and there’s even a risk of scarring and discoloration. Intense heat can cause hypopigmentation (the loss of pigment) and a line of demarcation; this means the difference between old and new skin will be clearly visible.
• We should also note the pain experienced (sorry!) and the downtime required.
• Not suited toward sensitive skin.

Technique 2: Fractionated Laser Resurfacing

What is it?

Example of lasers: Fraxel re:store laser

There’s one big difference between this solution and the one we’ve already discovered. Ablative laser treatment will use one intense beam over a large surface area. On the other hand, fractionated laser resurfacing penetrates the skin with multiple tiny beams. Why is this important? Instead of removing one large continuous layer of skin, we get instead multiple microscopic holes which are still surrounded by healthy skin.

How does it work?

When large areas of skin are treated all at the same time, you can imagine the sort of recovery time needed because the body has to build everything from scratch. When tiny holes are produced, the situation is different because the remaining healthy skin provides a head start. Collagen and elastin production is encouraged in the superficial skin layers and the recovery time is significantly faster than with the previous method (ablative laser resurfacing).

The procedure

Before the treatment, a topical numbing cream will be applied and then, around an hour later, the procedure can start. The treatment itself usually takes 30 minutes, and this is followed by a healing period of between 5 and 7 days. At first, there will be a slight sunburned look before flaking away. Fortunately, because this procedure is not really painful, you won’t have to worry about any pain medication.

Why choose this solution?

Fractionated laser resurfacing is best used for wrinkles (crow’s feet specifically!), forehead wrinkles, sun damage, age spots, acne scars, wrinkles on the chest, the upper eyelids, and sun spots. This fractionated laser treatment is less invasive than the ablative laser treatment. As a result, the tightening effect is also not as powerful as the effect with ablative laser treatment.

Cost

More affordable than the last, full face treatments can be achieved for around $1,500; however, treating specific areas will be more expensive.

Benefits

• Less pain and shorter downtime compared to ablative laser treatment.
• can help with light/moderate sagging.
• Will also treat age and sun spots as it targets the superficial skin layers which is something even RF devices and Ultherapy can’t offer.
• Can be used for the treatment of difficult locations such as the upper eyelids (as long as a protective ocular device is used). Beneficial for those who dislike their current ‘droopy’ look (your words, not ours! haha).

Drawbacks

• While we love the fact the recovery time is much faster than ablative laser treatment, a potential of seven days will still be too long for some. Those looking to get back to work within 48 hours should be looking elsewhere for treatment.
• This laser skin tightening treatment cannot be used on darker skin as it can lead to hypopigmentation. ( lightening of the skin )
• Some patients will need a second (or even third!) treatment because it just cannot match the intensity of ablative laser resurfacing.

Technique 3: Non-Ablative Laser Resurfacing

When it comes to laser skin tightening, there are a number of non-ablative laser solutions and the one we love more than any other is called Laser Genesis and it’s from Cutera.

What is it?

With Laser Genesis in particular, this uses what’s called a near-infrared (NIR) Nd:YAG laser. Don’t click away in frustration just yet (we know how confusing this sounds), all this means is that infrared lasers will heat the inner layers of skin without affecting the upper layers (hence the name non-ablative). For the tech people among us, the wavelength measures at 1,064 nm.

How does it work?

We heat the deeper skin layers, which promotes both elastin and collagen production. Over time, this also allows for the creation of new skin cells and the older skin cells are replaced…all of this results in a stronger and firmer skin.

As you may have guessed, recovery time is kept to a minimum because there’s no real touching of the upper skin layer. If we compare non-ablative resurfacing to even fractional laser resurfacing, the procedure time is also much shorter which is another advantage. In the majority of cases, patients are in the doctor’s office for less than 20 minutes.

The procedure

As a non-invasive solution, the procedure itself is very short and doesn’t normally require anesthesia of any kind because it doesn’t lead to any pain. If you choose this skin tightening treatment, you’ll feel a gentle warming sensation. If you ask previous patients, they’ll probably tell you that the treatment is pretty relaxing. Numbing cream is not even required.

In terms of the treatment plan, dermatologists usually recommend anywhere up to 4-6 sessions over a period of a few months (with weeks in between each!) to get the best results.

Why choose this solution?

This safe laser treatment is ideal for large pores, scars, fine lines, redness, and those with uneven skin texture. After the first laser treatments,you can already see some improvments. You will have much firmer skin.

As far as tightening is concerned, this is probably the best of the three laser treatments on offer. At myawesomebeauty.com, we are all addicted to this laser genesis 🙂

Cost

Although the overall cost can vary depending on the number of sessions, most people have between four and six with each coming in at around $400 – 600 per session.

Benefits

• This laser genesis has the nickname ‘lunchtime laser’ thanks to the lack of pain and quick recovery time. Within a short while of your session finishing, you’ll feel absolutely fine and be ready to take on your day (as well as normal, anyway!).
• No anesthesia is required.
• Perfect for those who lead busy lives and rarely find free time. You won’t have to book extensive periods off work with Laser Genesis.
• Something we haven’t yet mentioned is that Laser Genesis is completely safe (hooray!) and designed to be used on people of all skin types and ethnicities without pigmentation issues. It can also be used across all body parts (apart from the eyes!). This is something that other laser solutions just can’t offer, and why it is the preferred method for many dermatologists.

Drawbacks

• Side-effects are rare with this solution, but we wouldn’t be doing our job properly if we didn’t explain that some people may experience some redness (although it normally disappears after a few hours).
• You may also feel a little flushed after treatment, but this should be subtle rather than overwhelming…and it’ll disappear just like the redness.

Technique 4: Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)

We saw how to tighten face skin and body skin with laser.What is the difference between IPL (intense pulsed light) and laser?

Laser uses only one specific wavelength whereas IPL uses a range of light wavelengths (much like what we see with a photo flash) hence the name LIGHT. Reminder : IPL stands for Intense pulsed Light.

That is the reason why, lasers can only have one target whereas IPL can have different targets. One wavelength is related to one target. To target dark spots, it would be one specific wavelength, for redness it would be another wavelength etc….  

Unfortunately, the lights on the IPL aren’t as intense as other lasers, which means that more sessions are required wit IPL than with lasers.

In fact, IPL used to be a hugely popular solution but this has changed somewhat after investment in lasers improved their function. This is especially true now that Laser Genesis has had such a positive impact on the beauty industry.

What is it?

As a gentle and safe treatment option, IPL has the ultimate aim of improving skin appearance in terms of texture (smoother and firmer) and irregularities.

It can also help with dark spots, hair removal and veins. Thanks to the aforementioned improvement in lasers, we don’t use IPL as much for skin tightening now. So, IPL tends to be reserved for pigmentation issues these days as well as hair removal and thread veins. This being said, some dermatologists may still use IPL for mild rejuvenation and tightening effect.

How does it work?

Beneath the surface of the skin, we have darker pigmentation (melanin) and IPL therapy targets this through a range of wavelengths. (there are different colors of melanin). The IPL light will actually damage the pigment before the body expels it soon after (this is pure instinct for the body!). Once the damaged pigment has been removed, repairing collagen is released and these two actions combine for positive results in both skin texture and appearance.

You can understand now why IPL can actually tighten your skin.

The Procedure

Before doing anything else, the practitioner will remove all make-up and cleanse your face. From here, the treatment can begin across all the most important areas. Since pain is limited with this option, numbing cream won’t be necessary (feel free to ask if you have a low pain threshold!).

In terms of sessions, they should last around 45 minutes and most describe it as a mild ‘pinging’ sensation – just like being flicked with an elastic band every so often.

Once the treatment had ended, there may be some redness and it often feels like sunburn, so be ready for this. Over the coming hours, the symptoms should subside (if not, it’ll be within the next 24 hours depending on your skin sensitivity).

Fortunately, all patients can use make-up after the procedure so it’s relatively easy to cover redness for those who are concerned.

We should also note that most people return to their daily activities after treatment. Although it may be possible to experience improvements after one session, most dermatologist usually recommend between 4 – 6 sessions for optimum results.

Why choose this solution?

IPL therapy is preferred by many because it can deal with a host of conditions including varicose veins, birth marks, age spots, freckles, rosacea, sun damage, hair (on the back, neck, bikini line, underarms, face, legs, or chest), and broken blood vessels (on the face). Finally, it can also be used for mild skin tightening but this skin tightening is really mild and more like a side effect in our opinion. If you are only interested in skin tightening, then forget about IPL and try the other methods of this guide.

Cost

Depending on your condition and the affected area, IPL will generally cost between $800 and $1,300.

Examples: Titan, Sciton’s St

Benefits

• As we can see above, IPL can be used for a number of skin conditions. Whether it’s unwanted hair or age spots, IPL can help.
• Light and lasers don’t harm the upper layers of skin which means the side effects are minimal compared to ablative laser therapy.
• The sessions will go quickly, downtime is limited, and recovery is much faster than with ablative or fractionated lasers.

Drawbacks

• If you’re looking for skin tightening, this isn’t likely to be that useful (unless mild).
• For visible results, you’ll need to return for several sessions.
• For skin tightening, most dermatologists prefer Ultrasound, Laser Genesis, or RF radiofrequency.
• Darker skin types won’t be suited towards IPL as it could actually lead to pigmengtation issues. These skins have more pigment or melanin, so they are more prone to developing both hyper and hypopigmentation (unwanted darkening or lightening of the skin). This could be permanent. Also, there is a higher risk of burn from the IPL treatment.

Technique 5: RF (Radio frequency skin tightening )

Next up, we’re going to discover another method of heating the skin layers: radio frequency skin tightening method.

Rather than using light, Radiofrequency uses electricity – don’t worry, this isn’t as scary as it sounds. With positive and negative poles, energy can be created and this resulting heat comes from the resistance put up by the skin itself. When energy travels through skin, this causes what’s known as ‘bulk’ heating and skin cells are encouraged to produce collagen.

Not only will it increase collagen production, this heat will also make the skin tighter by adjusting the way collagen sits in the skin. ( Don’t worry this is perfectly safe haha)

With this particular solution, the most popular devices are : Venus Freeze, Accent, Pelleve and Thermage.

What is it?

With any radio frequency skin tightening method, they aim to heat the skin from within. By heating from the inside out, changes in both elastin and collagen are triggered. As mentioned previously, the skin tightens but the texture of skin also improves along with the smoothing of fine wrinkles. As a non-invasive solution, the downtime is non-existent and it can be used on the abdomen, neck, thighs, face, arms, and buttocks.

How does it work?

As we’ve seen, the aim of the game is to achieve skin tightening through radiofrequency.

With Thermage (monopolar Radiofrequency) and Venus Freeze (multipolar Radiofrequency), skin is heated and the body natural healing response is triggered. As new elastin fibers and collagen form, there’s a simultaneous contraction of active collagen and unravelling of elastin fibers. Not only will the skin around the face feel firmer, it should also feel more elastic.

With the heat that’s applied, there is an increase to blood circulation and this also boosts elastin and collagen production.

The procedure

During RF radio frequency skin tightening treatment, most people report a heating sensation with each pulse of the equipment. Don’t worry, devices these days monitor the temperature of the skin while also providing a cryogen spray which acts as a coolant. Despite this spraying before, during, and after the heat, some may report discomfort so you’re more than welcome to ask the doctor to reduce the energy level slightly.

Depending on the area in question, treatment will generally take between 1 and 2 hours; it all starts with a removal of your make-up. From here, if treating your face, a grounding pad will rest on your abdomen and the doctor will take it a pulse at a time on one side of your face. Sweeping the entire side of the face multiple times, problem areas will get more attention as well as under the chin.

Once the doctor is happy, they’ll stop, sit you up, and show you the noticeable difference between the treated and untreated sides to your face. Then you will get the other side done ( hopefully haha)

Here are the words we all like to hear: there’s no downtime, so you’ll be able to return to your daily activities at the end of treatment. While some experience some redness, this will be gone within hours. After the procedure, bruising and swelling are both uncommon – if they do appear, it takes just about 24 hours for these to disappear.

Cost

Although dependant on your city/state and the treatment area, most people pay between $1,500 and $3,000 for a treatment on the body or full face. If you want to add more areas, the price will adjust accordingly.

Why choose RF?

Above all else, RF radio frequency skin tightening treatment is chosen for skin imperfections resulting from environmental factors or age. RF helps with uneven or wrinkly skin, dimples, bulges, loose belly skin  and even to define facial features. Compared to fractional lasers and ablative lasers, RF is a more efficient (much more efficient!) method.

Benefits

• For those who respond to the treatment well, results with RF can actually be very fast. This being said, we should note that this is similar to other treatments in that full results won’t be experienced until up to six months in the future.
• There’s an immediate contraction with collagen and this causes quick lifting and tightening. Then, over time, there’s a gradual tightening process from new collagen and elastin production and this is why it’s important to wait before judging results or opting for more treatments.
• Patients will enjoy a youthful appearance, and firmer and tighter skin
• RF treatment can be used on all skin tones.
• Many patients only require one treatment, and have this maintained every 12-24 months.

Drawbacks

• Despite all the positives we’ve discussed, we should still note that RF treatment cannot reach the deepest skin level like the next solution we will cover. If we look at Ultherapy as an example (we’ll look at this next!), this can go really deep into the supportive layers of tissue ( the SMAS level)– something Venus Freeze and Thermage cannot do.
• Known as the SMAS level, (superficial muscular aponeurotic system), this is a layer deep within the skin that really gives structure to the whole face, this is the skin level to reach to get the best facial tightening results – it’s actually the layer used by plastic surgeons with procedures like facelifts.
• When RF is used too often, there’s also a risk of fat loss. But that is rare and only happens if you really go overboard and do it too frequently. Fat loss is more common with ultherapy.

Technique 6: Ultherapy and High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

Let’s take stock of where we are; we’ve looked how to tighten face skin and body skin using laser energy, light energy, and radiofrequency energy. Now, we come across ultrasound and the main benefit here is that the deepest levels of skin can be reached and this includes the dermal layers.

While there are a number of brands for ultrasound therapy or HIFU ( high intensity focused ultrasound), perhaps the most popular today is Ulthera hence the word ultherapy.

What is it?

To reach the deepest layers of skin, and therefore have the biggest impact on skin tightening, Ultherapy takes advantage of what’s called “focused micro-sound waves” (otherwise known as ultrasound).

Using sound waves, deep layers are penetrated and it has the same impact, in terms of depth, as a surgical facelift – the SMAS, as we discovered earlier. Despite the different technique, the aim is the same as we’ve seen all along…to trigger the natural healing process. This time, it occurs at a deep tissue level and this really tones, tightens, and lifts the skin.

How does it work?

With Ultherapy using sound energy, this means the devices can effectively bypass the surface of the skin and treat tissue only normally accessible though invasive procedures. Don’t worry, the doctor still has full control and can see the areas targeted with precision.

Of course, ultrasound has an extensive history in medicine and you probably know it from pregnancy scans so parents can see the baby in the mother’s womb. With this in mind, there are no doubts about its safety.

As the ultrasound waves reach the SMAS layer, this is actually a layer just above the muscle in the face. With ultrasonic waves, there’s an immediate contraction that can lift the chin, face, or neck. The waves also heat the deep layers of skin at a temperature of between 65 and 70 degrees Celsius to break down the skin and lead to new skin. This promotes collagen and elastin production and optimum results can be enjoyed within six months: firmer and tighter skin.

In a nusthell, we use very focused ultrasound to send energy to the deepest skin levels to create new collagen and elastin. Hence the name of the treatment: HIFU ( High intensity focused ultrasound)

Why choose Ultherapy?

If you’ve been waiting for a non-invasive treatment that lifts the face and is approved by the FDA, this is your moment. Not only this, it’s also the only non-invasive solution the FDA suggests can improve lines and wrinkles on the chest.

In fact, over the years, Ultherapy has found many niches including smoothing lines and wrinkles on the chest, lifting the skin around the eyebrows, tightening loose belly skin and tightening skin around the neck and chin. Ok you have guessed it: we love it !!

Benefits

• With no toxins or fillers used, Ultherapy is completely natural and can be used on all skin tones regardless of ethnic background. It can even be used on those with implanted devices such as a pacemaker.
• It can reach the deepest skin layers and give the best skin tightening effect.
• Since Ultherapy goes deeper than other solutions, it can also be used in combination with laser treatments to help sun damage, skin texture, and other conditions on the upper layers of skin. (mostly all the treatments we covered so far). Some people even like to combine Ultherapy with fillers (Restylane, Voluma, Juvederm) and injectables such as Botox.
• Each treatment session should last between one and two hours and the downtime is limited.
• Although we mentioned avoiding Ultherapy for anybody already relatively skinny, it can actually be a great option if you want to lose some fat from your face.

Drawbacks

• There’s no doubting the effectiveness of Ultherapy and many enjoy long-lasting results for up to 1-2 years (this depends on characteristics and the individual in question). However, full results appear after 3-6 months because the body needs time to produce new collagen and elastin. So, you need to be patient.
• Ultherapy can lead to fat loss so if your face is skinny to begin with, avoid ulthera and stick with RF devices. They are effective too.
• If you’re someone who likes to avoid pain and discomfort, please bear in mind ultherapy goes deeper than other methods, so pain medication may be required.

Technique 7: PRP Therapy

What is it?

Also known as the ‘vampire lift’ which has been promoted by the likes of Kim Kardashian, PRP therapy ( platelet rich plasma) has gained much attention in recent years for skin and facial rejuvenation. Essentially, this treatment takes advantage of your own blood platelets to restore lost facial volume, encourage cell growth, and improve your skin complexion.

How does it work?

Let’s provide a little science lesson for those who want to go deeper into the workings of PRP therapy; our blood has four main components:

• the platelets
• red blood cells
• white blood cells
• plasma

With blood taken from your body, it’s spun in a centrifuge and this separates the two blood cells from the platelets and plasma. Now, this plasma is a clear fluid that contains more platelets than normal; the resulting substance is called platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

From here, this plasma (with lots of platelets) can be injected into the skin for new skin cells and the production of collagen. As you may have guessed, since everything comes from your own body, there’s little risk of your body rejecting the plasma or causing an infection.

The procedure

If you get a little squeamish over blood, you should now know the basics of the process and can skip to the ‘cost’ section.

If you want to learn more, the blood taken from your body will depend on the extent of your treatment plan. Normally, the doctor will take up to six teaspoons which amounts to around 10-30ml. For around 10 minutes, the blood spins in a centrifugal device and this separates the cells. Once the rich platelets have been extracted, they can be injected into your skin for skin rejuvenation.

What happens while waiting?

The specialist will cleanse the skin and prepare you for the injection. Much like any other injection, it’ll only take a few seconds and will only lead to mild discomfort. In total, the treatment takes around 15 minutes, you won’t experience much pain, and the recovery time is almost instant. If redness, bruising, or mild swelling appears, it should disappear within a few days. As mentioned previously, PRP comes from your own cells which removes all risk and even means there are no side effects.

In summary, PRP will be help tighten the skin, improve texture and tone, and soften pores/lines. In most cases, results show after 3 or 4 weeks and continue to get better over time. With a couple of months between each, your specialist is likely to recommend three sessions to get the best results. (so you’ll be done in under six months!).

Cost

If you’re interested in PRP treatment, you’ll be looking to pay between $400 and $700 per session. Of course, different locations and clinics will charge different amounts.

Why choose PRP therapy?

When it comes to improving wrinkles that are a result of age, PRP treatment is a great solution. This is a very interesting method that could be combined with the laser genesis, RF or ultherapy. We should also note that PRP injections can also be used to prevent hair loss (into the scalp).

Benefits

• PRP is a fantastic solution for improving skin texture.
• Since it’s made from your own blood cells, your body won’t reject it and there’s very little risk of infection.
• The risks of PRP are fairly limited: slight pain/discomfort, infection (small risk), bruising.

Drawbacks

• The drawbacks are few and far between (about time, right!). We could perhaps mention that some people prefer to avoid needles. Especially when it comes to the face, you might feel uncomfortable having needles injecting into your face. However, even this can be negated with some numbing cream.
• We should also note the potential for redness or swelling; again, this is negated by the fact it only lasts for a couple of days.

If you’re worried about needles extracting blood from your body, there are other options available to you. For example, next we’re going to be discussing injections with pre-made solutions (these contain amino acids and vitamins to boost the skin from the inside). So no need to extract blood from your body with a needle. This is what the next skin treatment is all about.

Technique 8: Mesotherapy Facial Treatment

What is it?

Essentially, ‘mesotherapy’ is a fancy name for injections containing vitamins, amino acids, plant extracts and enzymes. This is a treatment solution that aims to treat sagging/aging skin and rejuvenate the skin in general ( face, neck and even hands). With these natural extracts, alongside pharmaceuticals and homeopathic agents, they can be injected using fine needles in a series of injections.

As the name suggests, they target the ‘mesoderm or derm’ which is the middle layer of skin.

In fact, PRP was in fact some sort of mesotherapy using your own blood as the nutrition solution to inject. (plasma and platelets)

How does it work?

To boost healing in the skin, mesotherapy will inject active ingredients and nutritional elements as discussed previously. In case you were worried, you shouldn’t be because the needles are really thin. As we saw with PRP, one of the biggest concerns is drawing one’s own blood and this might be an idea you don’t like; with this in mind, mesotherapy allows doctors to inject a pre-made cocktail of goodies. So no need to extract your own blood.

Perhaps the most well-known example of mesotherapy solution would be from Filorga ( Famous french brand, leader in mesotherapy). Although the product has the confusing name of NCTF 135HA, it has enjoyed more than a decade of success in the industry. Over this time, over one million patients have benefited from this concentrated formula.

Why has NCTF 135HA been so successful?

For one thing, the active ingredient is a highly-purified hyaluronic acid. This particular acid is pivotal for not only repairing damage but also moisturising skin. Thanks to scientific research, we can now be confident in saying that this active ingredient is absolutely necessary for cellular proliferation and collagen production.

Moreover, the formula contains 24 different amino acids to encourage protein production and increase collagen and elastin levels, 14 vitamins to stimulate cell function (including A, B, C, and E), and two antioxidants that improve overall health and capture free-radicals. With this unique composition, the skin cells have the perfect environment to produce collagen and create younger-looking skin.

While you will find other products on the market, this is probably the most well-known and most-recommended from specialists. However, all tend to offer the same benefits and bring important nutrients to the skin (this is all that matters, right?).

The Procedure

In truth, whether or not you have numbing medicine will depend on skin sensitivity. Either way, a special short needle is used to provide a series of injections. To deliver a number of injections in a short space of time, the needle may be attached to a mechanical gun.

Depending on your condition, the injections can actually be administered at different depths which allows for flexibility. Ranging from 1 to 4 millimetres, the specialist may inject at a slight angle or they may even flick their wrist while injecting. With each small injection, a small drop of the nutritional formula will reach the skin.

How many sessions will you need?

This is the all-important question, and you should expect a treatment plan of between 3 and 6 visits to your doctor. As a rule of thumb, you’ll have two or three weeks between the early sessions. However, your doctor may soon notice that you don’t need them as frequently and your plan can be reduced to once a month, six months, or even a year.

Cost

Just as we’ve seen throughout, the amount you pay will depend on the number of sessions you require. Looking at each session, you’re likely to pay anywhere from $250 and $600. (Note the price is mostly due to the product that will be injected in your skin)

Why choose mesotherapy?

Where does mesotherapy excel? Considering it’s ideal for rejuvenation and skin tightening, you’ll be recommended mesotherapy for the back of the hands, face, neck, chest, inside the legs, or inside the arms.

Benefits

• You’ll enjoy improved skin (both firmer and smoother) gradually as your skin “heals”. It usually takes 2-3 months.
• The procedure is relatively fast and there is also very little downtime which means you can return to work quickly (this is a positive, honestly!).
• We should also note that the side effects and risks are minimal.

Drawbacks

• While most people feel comfortable enough during this treatment, there is sometimes a complaint of pins and needles. This being said, you’re more than welcome to ask for a topical anaesthetic that removes the pain from the treatment.

Short Summary of medical procedures

So, to the question : How to tighten loose skin? We should first stop for a small assessment. Of the recent treatment options we’ve discussed, Ultherapy is definitely the most effective because it reaches the deepest skin layer, the SMAS skin layer. However, since it doesn’t help those with no fat to lose in their face, we recommend RF therapy. Note that RF radio frequency skin tightening treatments can also lead to fat loss in rare cases if done too frequently. Fat loss is far more common with ultherapy

As we’ve hinted at throughout, the very best advice is to combine different treatments. The reason is pretty simple:

Each method can target a specific skin level or layer so combining methods that target different layers will give you the best results.

Over the years, we’ve found the following combination to be effective:

1. Ultherapy
2. laser genesis
3. Mesotherapy/PRP
4. Fractional Laser for skin surface (if required)

Alternatively, for those not suited to Ultherapy, we recommend this combination.

1. Ultherapy
2. laser genesis
3. Mesotherapy/PRP
4. Fractional Laser for skin surface (if required)

Of course, we would always recommend talking to your dermatologist before making any decisions. With a face-to-face meeting, they can tailor their advice to your needs and suggest the treatment plan that’ll yield the best results for you and your skin condition.

Home Treatments and devices

We saw how to tighten face skin and body skin with medical procedures. There are also more convenient ways: skin tightening home devices since they can be performed in the comfort of our own homes, they’re more affordable, and they save potential embarrassment. For skin tightening, home devices can be incredibly effective and they’re only improving as technological advancements carry the industry forward.

Ultimately, home skin tightening machines have the same objective as the medical solutions we’ve already discussed. Through various means, they attempt to boost collagen, increase elastin, stimulate the skin’s natural healing process, and fight against aging.

As noted previously, home devices can also be affordable for those who don’t have the money for numerous appointments with a specialist. Rather than paying each time you visit the professional, you can pay once and have a device to use in the months ahead as frequently as you want. Since so many of these devices are small, they also allow for treatment in specific areas; for example, common areas include fine lines and crow’s feet.

To continue this brilliant guide ( let’s be honest haha) , we’re going to provide all the information you’re ever likely to need about five home devices:

1. Dermarollers (Micro-Needling)
2. Microdermabrasion
3. Galvanic Technology (Microcurrent Facials)
4. Infrared Light/Red Light Devices
5. Radiofrequency Devices

Technique 1: Dermarollers ( microneedling)

This is a bit similar to mesotherapy we covered in the medical treatments but with an easier method for at home use.

What is it?

Derma rolling uses something akin to a paint roller with tiny needles to puncture the skin and stimulate healing and skin rejuvenation.  We like this dermaroller (good price and effective). Check it on amazon HERE.

How does it work?

Cylindrical in shape, a dermaroller has multiple needles ranging from 0.13 mm to 3 mm in size. With these small pinpricks, tiny holes are made on the surface of the skin and later healed by the resulting collagen production. There are two main purposes to this procedure:

• Firstly, the tiny holes create what’s called ‘micro channels’ and these allow skincare products to penetrate into the deepest layers of skin (thus improving the results!). Now, with an ‘open’ skin, the serums you use regularly can offer stronger results than simply applying them to the skin without help.

• Secondly, the small pinpricks are essentially small skin injuries and the body reacts by going into healing mode. Over time, skin is firmer and the appearance of scars, wrinkles, fine lines, and pores improve as both elastin and collagen production increase.

The procedure

In total, the procedure should be done within 30 minutes. Despite the thought of needles going into your skin, it’s actually painless for the most part and you can try it on your hand as a test. We advise the following steps:

1. Always start by cleansing the skin and remove impurities/makeup (this reduces the risk of infection and breakouts).
2. Although this is optional, you could also apply a Vitamin C serum on dry skin right after cleansing your face. You can check our complete guide about Vit C serums Here
3. When ready, use the dermaroller and, if you chose to apply the serum, this will now penetrate easily. For beginners, we recommend using the roller once a week. If required, you can then do it more often once you’ve assessed how your skin reacts.
4. Once the treatment is finished, nourish your skin with a moisturizing cream. Thanks to the tiny holes, this cream will get into the deeper layers of skin and be more effective.

If you use less than 60% isopropyl alcohol, it will not properly sanitize your derma roller. It is better to be on the safe side here.

For a couple of days, you’re likely to have some redness and this is a sign of stimulation; as the healing process begins, it will quickly subside and your new glowing skin will soon show. For the best results, we always recommend more than one treatment (this will gradually build elastin and collagen!).

Staying safe – We’re going to get serious for a moment because there are dangers with dermarollers when they aren’t used in the right way. For example, never use this device on inflamed skin, broken skin, cold sores, pimples, and warts. What’s more, anybody with eczema, psoriasis, or other skin rashes shouldn’t use dermarollers because your skin may react negatively to these micro-punctures.

Tip: If you’re worried about how your skin will react, do a little patch test on your skin. After 24 hours, you can assess the impact and how your body deals with the needles. For those with sensitive skin, this is even compulsary.

We want you to stay safe (you may have noticed!), so know that this treatment is also available at your dermatologists. Called microneedling, the specialist will have longer needles (often more than 1mm) and deeper levels of the skin will be reached. Whatever you do, make sure you’re comfortable and confident. I personally prefer to go to the dermatologist for the lasers but do derma rolling at home.

Why choose dermarollers?

Dermarollers are best used on large pores, acne scars, and for skin tightening. With the thicker needles, you’ll be able to deal with scarring and tightening. If it’s the pores you want to improve, short needles will do the trick.

Cost

While treatments with the doctor will cost $400, home devices can be bought for as little as $20- $50. We recommend prioritizing quality over cost in this regard though. I like this dermaroller, it does the job and is cost effective. Check it on amazon HERE. Start with 0.25 mm needles first and build up from there with longer needles as you are more confident with your dermarolling skills 🙂

Benefits

• First things first, the results of dermarollers can be amazing.
• As well as scars, it can be used for skin firmness and texture.
• Most people recover within 24 hours.

Drawbacks

• Although easy to administer and incredibly safe, dermarollers lead to some redness in the treated area.
• Most people aren’t patient enough to see positive results, which is why you might read some negative reviews for products. While results might be achievable after one session, you’re building your skin up and this takes time. Over time, elastin and collagen will be produced. The results are cumulative.
• Infection and other issues are a possibility when the dermaroller isn’t cleaned both before AND after treatment using isopropyl alcohol.( at least over 60% isopropyl alcohol). It’s best to buy a roller with needles shorter than 1mm and this allows for safe and clean treatment. In truth, only specialists should be handling anything over 1mm.

The benefits of microneedling are obvious but just as a reminder, this method is not suited to people with warts, eczema, or psoriasis because they are liable to spread when rolling. Elsewhere, those with acne should prevent rolling open wounds and cystic skin because this will just spread bacteria around the face and into the pores.

Technique 2: Microdermabrasion

What is it?

Microdermabrasion is probably one of the most popular beauty treatments among actors and actresses. The goal is to exfoliate your skin, remove dead skin cells so to reveal firmer and younger skin.

How does it work?

Microdermabrasion actually uses a wand boasting tiny diamond crystals in the tip to exfoliate the skin.This mechanical exfoliation sheds off dead skin cells but also promote elastin and collagen production: you’ll enjoy tighter and younger skin. But that is not all, for anybody who struggles with fine lines, large pores, age spots, hyperpigmentation, or wrinkles, this exfoliation, by removing the top layers of skin, can improve their appearance.

So, there are five main benefits to microdermabrasion:

• Diminishing superficial scars
• Tightening the skin
• Helping the skin to glow
• Improving texture
• Improving the appearance of wrinkles

What about results? Well, this will depend on the intensity and regularity of sessions. Regular microdermabrasion sessions will give you the best results. Note that you can either go visit a spa salon to get it done professionaly or you can buy your own microdermabrasion machine.

The procedure

As with the last treatment option, we’ll take you through a step-by-step process;

1. Make sure your face is clean and this can be achieved with a cleanser free from oils and fragrances. Be careful of harsh cleansers because they can cause sensitivity and dryness in the skin. I like this daily cleanser. Check it HERE on amazon.
2. Gently pat your skin to dry (a cotton towel is advised) and make sure your face is dry before starting.
3. With the microdermabrasion wand in one hand, use the other to pull the skin tight. Smoothly glide the tip over the skin using a circular motion to remove the dead skin cells.
4. Complete a maximum of two passes over any one area. Take your time and do this for the whole face.
5. After the procedure, apply a toner to restore pH levels and you can follow this up with a serum, cream, oil, or lotion. With the dead skin cells removed, your skin will be more receptive to serums after treatment so take advantage of this and use a good anti-wrinkle cream (we advise Vitamin C). Check our complete guide about the best vit C serums HERE.
6. While your skin will look red at first, this will soon fade so don’t worry.

Reminder: Although it might be tempting to do this every couple of days (we understand!), your skin needs to heal in between sessions so leave at least one week before using the machine again. At myawesomebeauty.com some of us use a microdermabrasion device every two weeks, while others with sensitive skin ( like me) do it monthly so listen to your skin.

Cost

In a spa, each session would cost between $150 and $300…which just so happens to be the cost of a home device. Rather than paying up to $1,500 on five microdermabrasion sessions at a professional facility, you can pay a one-time fee and use the device in the comfort of your own home. Unlike dermarollers, the machine can be shared with others (some even host parties to use the device for a small fee !). Our guide to pick the best microdermabrasion machine is here if you need some pointers.

Why choose microdermabrasion?

If you want a solution to moderate wrinkles, age spots, and you want to tighten your skin, this device could be the answer. Note that the skin tightening is mild and won’t be effective enough for very saggy skin. .

Benefits

• When looking for radiant and tight skin (who isn’t!), microdermabrasion is both fast and effective.
• As well as positive results, this treatment is also cost effective.
• An improved complexion can normally be seen after just one session; it takes around one month for skin tightening and complexion to improve.

Drawbacks

• It only really works for moderate wrinkles and on the superficial layers of skin which means mild skin tightening. Note that with deeper wrinkles, or very saggy skin, it won’t work as well, unfortunately, since the problem goes past the outermost layer of the skin.

Technique 3 : Galvanic Technology with Microcurrent Facials

What is it?

Often called a ‘natural’ facelift, this is a safe option and one that attempts to make the skin firmer while also removing wrinkles and fine lines. Galvanic technology excels in reducing puffiness, improving muscle toning, tightening pores, and encouraging cellular activity. Regardless of age, you should be able to enjoy a healthier and younger-looking skin.

Interestingly, this technique actually has a deep (excuse the pun!) history. With links back to the 1800s when used for treating muscles and damaged tissues, it gradually made a move towards the dermatology niche after a physician noticed that his patient’s face became smoother and younger looking after receiving microcurrent therapy.

How does it work?

To mirror the electrical currents of the body, microcurrent technology emits tiny currents on a cellular level (hence the name). The idea is to stimulate collagen and elastin production, while also repairing damaged skin.

Just in case you’ve got images of a loose wire being connected to the skin and sending shocks, the treatment is completely safe and it would take one million machines alone just to power a 40-watt bulb. Sometimes called ‘facial toning’, the face goes through an almost workout where skin cells are broken down and then rebuilt (just as the muscles do when lifting dumbbells, for example). Simultaneously, the signs of aging are removed in the epidermis and the collagen is repaired in the dermis.

Another benefit of choosing this solution is that the current from our body works simultaneously with the electric impulses from the microcurrent machine. The impulses sent by the machine are painless and will allow for muscle relaxation and encourage the muscles to return to their original position. Over time, our facial expressions can lead to wrinkles as our muscles are constantly contracted so galvanic technology can be a great way to remove these lines by relaxing those muscles.

Why choose galvanic technology?

For anyone looking to improve the appearance of their skin, a microcurrent facial will be of great benefit regardless of whether you’re trying to reverse the signs of aging or just prevent future issues. It is safe and can be used on all skin colors and types.

The procedure

Ultimately, the procedure itself will depend on the machine you use but they all have the same aim. Once you get used to the whole process, each session can last a maximum of 30 minutes but you might want to spend an hour or so getting it right for the first few times.

To prepare, cleanse the skin fully and apply the gel provided (if there isn’t any, choose a gel-like serum or some aloe vera gel such as this one ( via amazon) . After reading the instructions, use the device over the skin and finish by removing any gel left over; this can be done with a damp cloth. Just apply your best moisturizer afterwards and you’ll be done.

We should note that some people use this treatment every other day, while others go for once a week. At first, you might want to wake up the skin a little with frequent sessions. Then, as you progress, you can eventually reduce it to once a week and your skin will still stay healthy. As you may have noticed, there’s no strict template to follow and people often find the schedule that works best for them rather than following set instructions.

Cost

Although the price can vary somewhat, most people find themselves paying between $150 and $400. When researching, you’ll find differing voltages, brands, and accessories. There are many brands available out there but there are quite expensive. The device I think is the most cost effective is this one on Amazon. Don’t bother buying more expensive devices. (Nuface is not worth it in my opinion, too pricey) 

Benefits

• Microcurrent treatment is incredibly easy to use and give good results.
• This treatment has also a very relaxing effect which is pretty useful after a long day of work.
• It also improves the absorption of cosmetics.
• As a non-surgical solution, there’s no complications possible and it is also free from pain. There’s also no recovery time and results can come quickly.

Drawbacks

• We know that microcurrent treatment can soften scar tissue, improve circulation, and change muscle tissue. While this is beneficial, the increased cellular metabolism and removed waste products can also cause a detoxification reaction once the treatment is finished. If you’ve ever had a reaction after a massage, it’s essentially the same (but perhaps a little stronger).
• With so much being done in a short space of time, side effects can also include drowsiness, nausea, and fatigue. (this is quite rare). For most, these start around 90 minutes after treatment and they can continue for up to 24 hours.
• You can actually reduce the impact of side effects by consuming water after your treatment (just as they suggest after a massage!). If the side effects come back, drink a little more water and they should disappear again within 30 minutes.

Earlier, we said pregnant women should avoid this treatment but we have a couple of other concerns to add to the list:

• Epilepsy
• Thrombosis
• Phlebitis
• Pacemakers
• Metal implants or plates

On the last point, dental implants are fine in most scenarios but it depends on your own sensitivity level.

Technique 4 : Red Light/Infrared Light Devices

What is it?

If you’re looking for therapy that has been scientifically tested extensively, Red Light Therapy is the one for you. For skin problems and anti-aging alike, this is a proven solution and one that works using streams of red LED lights. Just as we’ve seen throughout, the aim here is to encourage elastin and collagen production but there are some side benefits including hair loss prevention and hair growth.

What’s the difference between Red Light and Infrared devices? Measuring between 600 and 700mm, the former ( red light) is visible while the latter (infrared) , measuring between 700 to 900mm, is invisible and can only really be felt as a warm feeling.

• Red Light – This type can be absorbed well by the skin, but it can also work well on the hair.
• Infrared Light – As a more penetrative solution, this is perhaps more suited for the deeper layers of tissue, muscles, bones, joints, etc. According to some studies, near-infrared light can actually penetrate three times stronger than Red Light. Yet, infrared light can also benefit the skin.

In fact, you can potentially use both for any skin condition, but some specialists will prefer certain treatment types for specific conditions (don’t worry, you don’t have to remember every detail!). As a general rule, Red Light is normally preferred for acne, sunburn, wound healing, anti-aging, hair loss, and yeast infections.

• If you’re only interested in skin treatments, then you will be fine with a red light.
• However, if you are interested in other benefits to deeper tissue like muscles, joints and bones, then you should consider getting an infrared light.

So,it’s definitely useful to have both available. And that is why we like devices which uses both red light and infrared light to get the maximum effect.

How does it work?

To combat loose and saggy skin, there’s overwhelming proof that Red Light therapy, at the right wavelength, can encourage the production of collagen via cellular changes. Rather than shining a red light on your skin (this would be too simple), the right wavelength is essential for positive results. Elsewhere, you may see it called low-level laser or low-level light therapy, biostimulation, low-intensity light therapy, photorejuvenation, or even photobiomodulation. Different names for the same treatment.

As you may know, light is a form of energy and red light devices are the terminal through which the light can be transmitted. With this in mind, the light energy penetrates the skin at different levels thus boosting the healing properties of the skin (something you should be familiar with by now!). This leads to collagen and elastin production.

The light also stimulates blood circulation, so lymphatic system activity is also boosted and this encourages interstitial fluids to be drained from the tissues; the white blood cells can also be transported to wherever it is required. What does this mean? In short, the metabolic processes in the body are activated and this leads to the production of fibroblasts and collagen. It also increases cellular clean up to reduce inflammation. The result? In layman’s terms, your skin will look young and vibrant!

The procedure

It’s quite simple actually – once makeup has been removed and your face is dry, you’ll wear some snazzy goggles for protection if necessary and you stay under the red light for 5 minutes to 10 minutes. You can use it 3-5 days a week

Cost

Once again, we reach the big question of cost and this one depends on the red LED light devices you choose. With so many available, you could spend anywhere between $250 and $600. As we mentioned earlier, be careful with some cheap products which do not comply with the best safety procedures or quality control. That is the case with products which are very cheap…or too good to be true.

I really like this red light device. You can check it HERE on Amazon.. You don’t need to hold it which is good if you are bit like me ( too lazy to hold the red light device for 10 mn every day…) It combines red light and infrared light, it is sold by a US company and they do focus on quality control. I had really great results with it but you need to be patient as you are building new collagen and elastin so you really need to be patient and at least use it for 1-2 months.

Why choose light therapy?

By encouraging collagen production and improving skin laxity, light therapy will reduce the appearance of fine lines, sun damage, and age spots. Just know that positive results require a couple of months of regular treatment to really show. BE PATIENT. Red light therapy is not a treatment with immediate results.

Benefits

• This treatment is free from chemicals, free from pain, and is non-ablative and non-invasive. Not only this, the downtime is non-existent and it has also been FDA-approved.
• Safe to do in your own home, people of all skin types will benefit whether they have crow’s feet, fine lines, wrinkles, laughter lines, sun damage, or just want to improve their skin tone.
• Can also be effective for reducing broken capillaries, redness, and flushing. Just when you thought all these uses were enough, people with scars and stretch marks can also benefit from red light therapy.
• All things considered, your skin will have a new healthy glow (and it all starts from within which means it isn’t just superficial!).

Drawbacks

• The biggest drawback is that the results can take some time to show.

With over a decade of research about red light therapy, and not one contraindication to cause concern, it’s clearly a brilliant option. This being said, it does come with some warnings including not to look directly at the light itself. Goggles will always be required as it might cause visual discomfort but you have probably guessed it.

Technique 5 : Radiofrequency Devices

If you’ve stayed with us throughout this guide about how to tighten skin, you will have seen a previous section on microcurrent facials and this used electricity…just like our next solution radiofrequency.

Both attempt to improve the youthful appearance of skin by encouraging the production of collagen.

In truth, this is where the similarities end because microcurrent treatment aims to stimulate cellular metabolism and facial muscles and therefore offers a lifting effect for the muscles.

On the other hand, radiofrequency is all about creating friction/heat in the cells; this improves collagen production and elasticity.

From the two, radiofrequency is better for collagen production but using them both simultaneously allows for full facial rejuvenation. While one (radiofrequency) tightens, the other (microcurrent galvanic) lifts.

What is it?

All the details you need regarding radio frequency skin tightening can be found in the medical procedure section, but essentially it heats the layers of skin tissue using an electrical current. That will promote new collagen and elastin production. As a result, your skin will be firmer and younger.

How does it work?

With radio frequency skin tightening method, friction and heat is created in the cells and as soon as the optimum temperature is reached, the collagen fibers are pushed back together. This will tighten the skin. Additionally, elastin will increase and this improves elasticity. This non-invasive solution will help get rid of your loose skin and also help prevent sagging 🙂

The procedure

To start, you’ll have to cleanse your face and then apply some form of neutral gel (you don’t need to buy expensive gels, often sold by the device brands.) You can use aloe vera gel, it is cheap and effective, I like this 100% natural aloe vera gel HERE. You can check it on amazon.). Follow the instructions, use the probe to massage the face (or body, of course!). If you are treating the face, don’t forget the neck. It can also be used on the arms, hands, buttocks, thighs, and tummy.

For best results, we recommend a treatment once a week with each lasting a maximum of 20 minutes for the first month. Then, reduce it to once every 2 week for the second month then once every month as a maintenance routine.

How about results? Well, it might take anywhere up to three months before you really feel happy with how the radiofrequency home device is helping. You need to wait for the new collagen to be produced and to replace the older collagen. So, as usual, with this kind of treatment, be patient.

Cost

Radio frequency skin tightening devices range between $100 and $400.

We tried 2 devices: one was about $350 and one was $79, the most expensive one stopped working after 2 weeks, the cheapest one worked perfectly and is still working. So we recommend you to buy the cheapest one ( we used this one, you can check it on Amazon HERE) but for the treatment we had to leave it in one spot until we could feel the heat, then move on to the next spot. That took a little longer to do the full face treatment but it is worth it. Reminder: Don’t expect results after one week!!! it takes much longer for your skin to produce new collagen.

Why choose radiofrequency?

Radiofrequency is best used for collagen production, but it should be noted that it can reduce fat if used too often and this is a result of the heat. For those who don’t have fat to lose, only use the treatment once every 2 weeks to be on the safe side and once a month when you are happy with the results.

Benefits

• This is a safe procedure, a non-invasive one, and one that has been clinically proven to help shrink loose skin or tighten saggy skin.
• The downtime is limited and it can be used on all skin types (which is something that can’t be said for all treatment methods!).
• Why visit a dermatologist and pay for transportation when you can do it all in the comfort of your own home?
• It can fight sagging and also be used to help prevent sagging. prevention is key 🙂

Drawbacks

• Although it will fade after a few hours, Radiofrequency can leave temporary redness.
• Sadly, home equipment will never be as strong as those found at a dermatologist office so you’ll need to invest more time and sessions to get results. Before we move onto the next option, we should address the second drawback because, for most, it won’t really matter that more sessions are required. After buying the device, you’ll own it and can keep using it whenever necessary so more sessions don’t equal more money!

Short Summary of home devices

So we saw how to tighten face skin with many devices. In fact, I guess you could be wondering what to choose between all those devices to get an easy skin tightening facial at home. It can be overwhelming to choose.

Well, among all the devices we covered , for skin tightening, my all time favorite is the dermaroller, then I would recommend the red light device, the microcurrent devices and the RF devices.

The microdermabrasion is great but it is mostly for the superficial skin layers. The skin tightening effect is pretty mild compared to the effect of the other devices.

So if you want to start gradually, start with dermarollers. I know some of you are a bit reluctant to use needles ( I know it can be scary at first) then in that case go with red light therapy or microcurrent and when you start seeing some improvements, add other machines when you can.

Personally, I use all these devices in fact (you can call me crazy lol)

• Once a month : microdermabrasion / dermaroller / RF device
• Once a week: microcurrent device
• Every 2 day: the red light therapy

I used to spend a lot of money to go to spa salons to do these treatments. Now I save so much by using those affordable and effective home devices. Both my skin and my wallet are really happy haha

Cosmetics for natural skin tightening and rejuvenation

Thanks to investment from cosmetic companies, the number of beauty products available now can only be considered ‘extensive’ (there’s a product for everything, right?). Even after years of sunbathing sessions and no concern for UV damage, it’s easy to find products that make our skin look youthful and vibrant.

Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean makeup either. For many, makeup is taking a backseat for skincare now because they want to improve their skin rather than hide it. However, the big difficulty comes when looking at the sheer number of products. How are we possibly to know which is best for our skin? Not only are there lots of products, there are also lots of ‘amazing’ ingredients we all ‘need’ in our lives. Luckily, you have us by your side and we’re going to show two of the most effective solutions for an effective skin tightening facial:

• Chemical Peels
• Vitamin C Serums

Chemical Peels

What is it?

If you haven’t seen these products before, they’re considered skin resurfacing treatments which means a chemical is applied on your skin to remove the superficial skin layers. This is what many spa salons offer as a skin tightening facial.

How does it work?

Often, it’s the superficial layers of skin that hold pimples, acne scars, and blemishes. If the chemical peel can remove these, the new skin cells will be free from all these problems and you can regain your youthful appearance. As the new layer of skin grows, elastin and collagen will be encouraged in the deeper layers of skin which will help tighten your skin.

Depending on the acid and concentration level, there are various levels of strength to chemical peels: light, medium/mild, and deep.

Note that the concentration of the peel impacts its strength which means that a light peel with high concentration can actually be more like a medium peel.

We’ve listed the common acids in each strength below:

• Deep – The strongest you’re likely to find is phenol and this can actually bleach the skin, be dangerous for the kidneys, and cause other problems which is why specialists will avoid it and prefer TCA instead. ( trichloroacetic acid)
• Medium – Mild peels almost always use trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and this is the common choice for dermatologists.
• Light – Finally, light peels will use beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) such as salicylic acid OR alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as lactic acid, glycolic acid, or citric acid.

Especially when a deep exfoliation is the goal, a dermatologist will normally recommend either a medium or a deep peel. For these to work effectively, they require acidic solutions which means concentrations of up to 70%. With this in mind, it won’t be something you can do at home (heavy sedation or general anesthesia will be required). Those full face peels performed by professionals can cost up to $5000. Yeah that is super expensive. Fortunately affordable home kits are available !!

Yep, if you do want to stay at home (and save some money!) you don’t have to fork out that much money because home kits do exist. While different strengths can be found, you’ll probably notice that the concentration percentages are lower. Costing between $20 and $60, you don’t need a medical degree to see that medium peels for home use are much cheaper than the rates in a medical office.

If you do happen to choose the home route, we urge you to be careful and only start the treatment once you feel comfortable with the instructions. By doing this, you avoid any burn and stay safe.

We recommend you to start on lower concentrations until you’re used to it then you can use higher concentrations. Remember to keep it away from children.

The procedure

To start, you need to cleanse the skin (no surprises here!) and the skin has to be oil free to get the most of a chemical peel. So we recommend cleaning the face a couple of times with a mild oil removing soap or use an alcohol wipe.

Apply the peel to the face but make sure to avoid the lips and the eyes. Wait for a few minutes so to let the peel do its magic. Immediately after treatment, it’s important to “neutralize” the acid by washing your face with water and stop the reaction on your skin. For higher concentrations, this neutralization may require a special solution.

From here, you can apply a thick coating of vaseline or cream to prevent irritation and you’ll be finished.

For 1-2days after treatment, you’ll need to let the skin heal so you may not be able to wash your face. ( 1 day is usually enough)

Cost

You can expect to pay between $20 and $60.

We tested different chemical peeling brands. The brand we really like so far is this one (on Amazon)  : their products are good quality, effective and at a reasonable price point. We also tested this one through Amazon which is effective as well. both are pretty good.

Benefits

• Chemical peels are particularly useful for wrinkles and fine lines.
• You can enjoy more supple skin and an even skin tone.
• As a non-invasive solution, the lower concentrations are safe enough for home use and the recovery time is controllable (i.e. the deeper peels will require more downtime). That is why most people prefer to have several light/ medium strength chemical peels instead of one deep peel treatment ( done by a professional). In fact, you often get similar results with multiple light / medium peels vs one single deep peel : it means shorter recovery time and less risk.

Drawbacks

• Some people may experience some redness and irritation. This will fade after a couple of hours.
• You’ll also have to avoid direct sunlight (sorry, no sunbathing!) for a number of months during the treatment plan. If you do go in the sun, always wear a high-SPF sunscreen.
• Note that BHA is not recommended during pregnancy.

Vitamin C Serums

What is it?

As perhaps the most important ingredient when looking for skin tightening, vitamin C serums are now extremely popular in the anti-aging niche. For experts all around the world, it’s the key ingredient for creating an even skin tone, hydrating the skin, protecting the skin from pollution damage, and improving the overall health of the skin. So a skin tightening facial should always include a vit C serum.

You can check our complete guide about the best viamin C serums here.

How does it work?

The main value of vitamin C is the stimulation of fibroblast activity and therefore the production of collagen; fibroblast is actually the key cell that produces collagen so activating and stimulating activity here increases the collagen level of your skin and makes it firmer and younger 🙂

We should provide three important factors to consider;

• Collagen production will always start to diminish by the time we reach our late 20s. For those who are between 70 and 80, it’s believed collagen levels are four times lower which is what causes wrinkles and sagging skin.
• Of all the proteins in your skin, collagen is thought to account for around 70%. Naturally produced, collagen keeps your skin looking young.
• The firmness of your skin is affected by collagen which, in turn, can be impacted by environmental factors including diet, exercise, and pollution.
• Vitamin C has a lot of benefits besides skin tightening. Check our article about all the Vit C benefits here.

These days, we know that vitamin C serums can be extremely helpful in boosting collagen thanks to several studies in the niche; this is true in both young and old skin. Therefore, vitamin C serums can be beneficial at any age. Regardless of age, if you have fine lines and wrinkles you want to lose, these serums will allow you to tighten your skin without expensive and risky surgery (who wants to go under the knife if it can be avoided?).

Cost

Although the price largely depends on quality and strength, you can expect to pay something between $20 and $50. You can learn how to pick the best Vit C serum for your skin here.

Benefits

• It’s a brilliant treatment option for boosting collagen. Vitamin C serums can also protect the skin from UV rays and pollution.
• It is also ideal for preventing skin hardening/glycation and even preventing stretch marks.
• The effectiveness of vitamin C serums increase significantly when applied topically (as opposed to orally). In fact vitamin C is 20 times as effective when applied topically over when taken orally. Topical treatment is scientifically proven to slow down the physical aging process. Facial Vit C serums are best for this and they can penetrate the skin deeply.

Drawbacks

• Vitamin C is some kind of acid (the chemical name is ascorbic acid) That is why some people with sensitive skin cannot use any vitamin C products, they need to use the derivatives of vitamins C which are milder and less acidic. Yet, those derivatives are quite effective as well provided you use them at least for one or 2 months. We mentionned this in our vitamin C guide HERE.

Skin Supplements to fight sagging and loose skin

After cosmetics, skin supplements can help on your journey to healthy skin so we’re going to look at three of our favorites. We’ve all tried eating handfuls of almonds, right? Well, even the healthiest among us won’t be getting everything we need and this is why skin supplements can be so valuable. As we age, the skin gets weaker so these supplements will aim to increase thickness and improve elasticity.

So, let’s see how to tighten face skin naturally with skin supplements:

• Vitamin C
• Collagen
• MSM

Vitamin C

When it comes to skin tightening, vitamin C is essential and we’ve just seen why when talking about cosmetics. As an antioxidant and water-soluble vitamin, it actually has a key role in maintaining connective tissue whether this is the skin, bones, or blood vessels. Even for those who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables each day (well done to you, because it can be tough!) you’re still likely to notice a difference after vitamin C supplements.

Just a quick note on choosing the right supplement, most brands these days offer a great product but we recommend those without fillers; you should be looking for pure vitamin C (pure ascorbic acid will be most effective!).

Personally I like this vitamin C powder form here from Amazon as I can easily mix it easily with any smoothie or any other cold beverage (don’t mix it with hot water as heat degrades vitamin C quickly).

Collagen

As you should know by now, collagen is the main protein for the body and is important for skin tightening. As well as playing a role in skin strength, it can also aid hydration and elasticity. As we saw previously, age will see collagen production reduce, which can cause wrinkles and saggy skin. With this in mind, there are plenty of studies to suggest that the aging process can be slowed with the right collagen peptides and supplements.

How does it work? Rather than just providing your body with collagen, the idea of supplements is to stimulate the body’s natural production of collagen. With collagen production boosted, other proteins can also benefit including fibrillin and elastin.

Something we haven’t yet mentioned about collagen is that it can improve the integrity of cartilage (the tissue protecting the joints). Therefore, with regular collagen supplements, osteoporosis and other bone disorders can be prevented (or at least we can reduce the risk of them occurring!). Although less important, experience also suggests collagen can improve nail and hair strength and length (excuse the unintentional rhyming!).

MSM

Vitamin C and collagen are products I already knew for a really long time but MSM is a supplement I had never heard before and only found out 2 years ago while looking for a supplement for tightening skin.

Short for methylsulfonylmethane, it is essentially sulfur which is something many of us lack. When food is cooked, the sulfur is lost and it’s something we cannot obtain from processed foods. As well as skin tightening, MSM can aid wrinkles, arthritis, hair strength, flexibility, nail strength, and more; it even detoxifies the body while accelerating the healing process.

You can imagine, that I was pretty eager to try it. So, I began using MSM about 6 months ago. I used this brand on Amazon HERE. There are many other brands you can try. I decided to add it to my other supplements. I took the powder every morning with a glass of water with my vitamin C, collagen and a few other products. The thing is it does not taste very good. It’s something that you have to get used to. That is why I recommend you to mix it with other supplements because i tried to take it alone and trust me the taste is awful haha. Note that there are tablets and other supplement forms but the most effective form is the powder form.

After a month or so, I could experience firmer skin as well as improvements in my hair and the rate at which it grows which is not always a good thing when you need to go the hairdresser more frequently haha.

I could definitely attribute this positive change to MSM because I stopped taking the powder for 2 months and I did notice a decrease of firmness and hair being slower to grow. So yeah msm was really helping the other supplements to work.

As I always say combining several key ingredients is usually better than one only ingredient as some of them can really work together. That is what we call team work !!!

Other people I know who had loose skin definitely saw some improvement too after taking MSM.

You should definitely give MSM a try and see if it helps you too. But whatever brand you choose pick the powder form and make sure it is 100% pure MSM. I use this brand as it is pure and cost effective. You can check it On Amazon HERE.

Home Remedies

Earlier, we saw how to tighten skin with home devices…but what about remedies you can make in your own home? Can you throw together a good solution in your kitchen just like a tasty bolognese? Well, you might be surprised by how easily attainable home remedies are these days. When you make your own, you control exactly what goes into the solution and you can be confident no harmful chemicals have been used.

Of course, there is a drawback to home remedies in that they can never be as effective as the previous medical procedures or home devices we covered. This being said, they can still be useful for temporary measures and give a relaxing skin tightening facial.

So let’s see how to tighten face skin naturally with home remedies.

The Green Lifter Serum

Aloe vera is a well-known plant to the medical industry. Why? Because it has been used for thousands of years. Sometimes called the ‘lily of the desert’, aloe vera leaves contain a clear gel that can be applied topically.

Inside the gel, scientists have found over 200 different antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Included in this is vitamin E, vitamin A, choline, vitamin B12, and folic acid; these ingredients nourish the skin and make it feel firmer. We love it because it gives a real boost to your skin and really helps your skin feel firmer probably because of the jelly texture that mechanically tightens the skin and its astringent properties.

As a warning, not all aloe vera gels are the same and the word ‘pure’ is very much a subjective one in this corner of the industry. If a bottle says ‘made with pure aloe vera’, this just means some of it is contained inside (even if it’s the smallest amount possible!). If you want to invest wisely, we highly recommend reading through the ingredients.

As you now know, vitamin C is a brilliant tool for skincare and anti-aging because it stimulates the production of collagen and tightens the skin. Why not add some powder to your home remedy?

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons of pure Aloe vera gel ( we used this one on amazon)
• 1 teaspoon of natural Vitamin C Powder ( we used this one from amazon)

Instructions

• In a small container, combine four tablespoons of aloe vera gel and one teaspoon of vitamin C powder – the latter needs to dissolve so it’s better to start with too little than too much.
• Twice a day, wash your face and follow this up with an application of the gel.
• After allowing it to dry, those with dry skin should also apply a moisturizer and this should lock moisture into the face.

Whether you have dry, normal, or oily skin, this skin tightening facial serum is a great one to have in your arsenal. If you generally have quite oily skin, you won’t need the moisturizer afterwards.

The Witch Tightening Toner

These days, witch hazel can be bought at health food and drug stores but it can also be purchased online which may be where the real savings are made.

Normally, you’ll find witch hazel used as an astringent with the aim of tightening the skin and shrinking pores. However, it can also play a role in preventing, or at least slowing, the breakdown of elastin and collagen.

Be careful as you can find some low cost witch hazel products that are utter BS for us, we felt like using plain water…. They seem to have diluted the extract so much that using it was useless….

With a little research, you’ll find lots of different brands when it comes to witch hazel so it’s important to be careful. How do you do this? For us, one of the best tips is to avoid the low cost products since you’ll have just as effective results by using water. Because most companies look to maximize profits by diluting the extract to the point that is is useless.

How to choose? First you need to decide if you want it to be alcohol free or not. Often, people choose to buy both and reserve the alcohol version for zits and minor cuts.

• For those with sensitive (or dry) skin, we advise going for alcohol-free witch hazel. Check this one (Amazon). there is an unscented one too here via Amazon.
• If you don’t have either of these issues, the products with a 14% alcohol level will be absolutely fine. This brand here is one of the most famous one. the benefit to have some alcohol is that you can use for zits and minor cuts too 🙂

If you’ve already purchased aloe vera from the previous recipe, we have some great news for you because we’re going to be using it again; its hydrating and tightening properties are going to be incredibly useful again.

Ingredients

• 40 ml Witch hazel ( check the brands we recommend above)
• 10 ml Aloe vera gel ( via amazon)
• optional : 1-2 drops of rose essential oil ( via amazon) ( to enhance the scent)

Instructions

• To start, we recommend mixing 40ml of witch hazel, a couple of drops of rose essential oil, and 10ml of aloe vera gel into a spray bottle.
• Of course, you don’t have to use all of this solution in one go so store any excess in the fridge.
• After washing your face, apply the toner before your serum or moisturizing cream. This can be done on a daily basis.
• After using this regularly, it should start to tone and shrink your pores while also making the face feel tighter.

Before we move on to the final two skin tightening home remedies and bring this extensive guide to a close (we thank you for following us this far!), we should first note that it’s best to start with the chin. From here, you can use circular motions and work upwards to the cheeks and forehead.

The Holiday Tightening Gel

I really love Coconut oil. The smell reminds me of holidays, islands, beach etc… This is pretty addictive. Don’t you think so?

In recent years, coconut oil has been researched extensively for a number of health benefits. Of course, our focus today is on the skin and reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and slowing the aging process.

For the skin, the rich fat profile of coconut oil is a key feature because it allows the skin cell membranes to be repaired and nourished. Over time, they’ll become more efficient at holding hydration and this leads to a firmer and fuller appearance. If we were to explain it using a real-life example, it would be like a dry sponge. Initially, it can look uneven and the holes and dents add to this. However, as you know, the second the sponge is dipped into water, although the same sponge, can look completely different (plump and even). Effectively, this is what coconut oil does to the skin and it becomes even more powerful when coupled with aloe vera.

With a combination of coconut oil and aloe vera, we have one of the most effective natural home remedies possible. Keep in mind to use organic aloe vera gel because it does not contain any harmful chemicals.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of Aloe vera gel ( via amazon)
• 1 tablespoon of pure Coconut oil ( we love that brand on Amazon for its quality and cheap price) Coconut oil is also a must have for hair mask !!

Instructions

• Mix together all the ingredients; this time it’s one tablespoon of coconut oil and aloe vera gel. If the room temperature is a little low, this can be difficult but you should be aiming to create a thick paste from the two ingredients.
• Once the paste is ready, you can apply it on your face with gentle circular motions (spend around a minute doing this). Allow this to dry, apply your moisturizer, and repeat this morning and evening every day.

For something so simple, this is a brilliant way to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized. As well as getting your skin to feel smoother and firmer, the antibacterial properties in the coconut oil will also be a great addition for those used to having pimples on their face.

The Egyptian Firming Mask

Finally, for this skin tightening mask, we’re going to bring you two ingredients you may not have expected on the topic of skincare: egg whites and olive oil.

With the former, this is (perhaps unexpectedly!) a brilliant ingredient for toning and tightening the skin. Containing the protein albumin, this is perfect for creating a natural glow and boosting elasticity.

For egg whites to work well, they need to be partnered with something that hydrates and moisturizes. Since this is a traditional recipe, the product used is olive oil. For those into their history, you’ll know that olive oil was important for the ancient Egyptians because it could be used as an antibacterial agent, a cleanser, and a moisturizer. As a strong antioxidant, olive oil nourishes the skin and, just as an added benefit, contains vitamin E which is ideal for preventing aging.

Ingredients

• 1 egg white (remove the egg yolk)
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• optional: 1-2 drops of rose essential oil ( via amazon)( to enhance the scent) my favorite!

Instructions

• If you have a mixing bowl, use this to mix one egg white and one teaspoon of olive oil.
• Once the solution is even, add a couple of drops of rose essential oil.
• Now you have the mixture, use warm water to wash the face , which will help open your skin pores.
• Apply the solution while avoiding the mouth and eyes of course :).
• After it has been applied, wait and relax until your face is dry. it usually takes 10 minutes.
• Then you can use warm water to gently scrub the mixture off with a circular motion.
• Dry your face
• Apply your normal moisturizer and your work is done.

The best thing about this homemade mask is that people report instant results; it can tighten the skin almost immediately. If you’re about to go on a night out, this is one of the best things you can do for a boost in skin appearance, feel, and also a boost in confidence! You can definitely do this skin tightening facial mask every day if you want to haha.

If you read this skin tightening guide from the beginning, we are really impressed because this was by far one of the longest guide we have ever written haha. We do hope that it was useful and that it really helped you understand how to tighten face skin and body skin or in other words how to get rid of loose skin 🙂 We had so much pleasure writing it and giving you our honest opinions on every skin firming treatments.

Feel free to let us know what worked best for you .

In the meantime be awesome and happy 🙂