WHAT IS LASER SKIN TIGHTENING? HOW DOES IT WORK?
As we age, collagen in our skin, the protein responsible for our skin’s elasticity, decreases as the collagen fibres reduce in number. The skin sags and makes you appear old and tired. Laser skin tightening is a procedure where dermatologists use different lasers to decrease the laxity of ageing skin. They supply heat energy to the skin and set up a wound healing cascade, which produces new collagen fibres to boost skin tightness.
The water molecules in the skin absorb the heat energy from the laser. The heat then vapourises the surrounding skin cells, triggering a wound healing process. This results in new collagen production and even the old collagen is contracted and rearranged. The skin thus becomes firmer and smoother.
THERE ARE TWO MAIN TYPES OF LASERS USED FOR SKIN TIGHTENING:
• Non-ablative lasers: These are non-invasive and do not cause any damage to the superficial layers of skin, i.e. the epidermis. As a result, there is no downtime, but the efficacy is less and you need multiple sessions for visibly significant and long-lasting results.
• Ablative lasers: These lasers are used in procedures known as laser resurfacing, where the top layer of your skin is damaged by the heat energy to trigger a more powerful healing response. It requires only 1-2 sessions for visible results. Expert dermatologists use advanced fractionated ablative lasers that create controlled channels of micro-injuries instead of burning the whole epidermis, thereby reducing downtime and complications and giving effective results.
Though laser skin tightening works very well for early, mild sagging and ageing signs on your skin, it is crucial to consult an experienced dermatologist who will analyse your skin health for the best results along with a skincare regimen.