Radio Frequency Skin Tightening
After Plastic Surgery
Radio Frequency Skin Tightening is a non-surgical method for reducing skin laxity. It is most effective on mild to moderate sagging. For severe cases of skin sagging, surgical removal is often necessary.
Skin Tightening is sometimes necessary after plastic surgery due to skin laxity usually following liposuction. Most people get a mild improvement in their skin tightness with 6-12 sessions.
Radio Frequency Skin Tightening carries minimal risks and requires no downtime.
RF is commonly used to tighten skin on the forehead, under the eyes, cheeks, mid-face, jaw line, cellulite, stomach, arms and neck.
Who Needs Radio Frequency Skin Tightening?
Contrary to popular belief that is generated by Instagram images, not everyone requires RF skin tightening after their surgical procedure.
The people who most often benefit are in their mid-30’s to mid-50’s who were in decent shape before their surgery and just need a little refinement once the surgery results start to become clear after 5-6 weeks of healing.
Radio Frequency Wand
Radio Frequency is
Not a Substitute for Plastic Surgery
Radio Frequency (RF) is used to improve the overall outcome of plastic surgery. RF therapy results are subtle by comparison to plastic surgery, and are not a substitute for surgical means of aesthetic improvement.
If your surgeon suggested that you get a Tummy Tuck, for example, and you opted not to do so, Radio Frequency Skin Tightening may help improve your overall outcome, but it will not produce a stomach as flat and tight as a tummy tuck.
Are you a good candidate for Radio Frequency Skin Tightening? Here are a couple of realistic examples.
Surgical Brachioplasty. RF Skin Tightening Will Not Get This Type of Result.
This person is a great candidate for skin tightening.
How Does Radio Frequency Help Tighten the Skin?
Radio Frequency (RF) technology stimulates collagen growth, improving the overall appearance of the skin. It does this by gently heating the deeper layers of the skin. The heat signals the body to deliver more collagen to the area.
Collagen is the structural protein that acts like a scaffold on which the other cells that make up the skin rest. Structural collagen production slows down after age 35 and this is why wrinkles begin to form.
By stimulating additional collagen production in the area, this rebuilds the “scaffold” and helps to tighten the skin and smooth out wrinkles.
Radio Frequency is often used in conjunction with Ultrasound Cavitation to help reduce pockets of fat to produce the smoothest possible outcome.
RF has become a popular therapy and has substantial research, such as this article, showing its efficacy.
How Long Does It Take For RF to Work?
Radio Frequency therapy is very soothing – nice, warm, and relaxing. You will often feel and look a bit better right after your session. However, you won’t see your actual results for a while.
Radio Frequency (RF) treatments signal the body to make more collagen. This means that after a session your body has to respond that that signal and bring collagen to the area. This happens over the next week or so while you are waiting for your next session.
So, will you look absolutely fabulous a week later? Probably not. The results are gradual and additive. One session of Radio Frequency Skin Tightening will not rock your world.
Most people require between 6-12 visits to achieve the results they desire.
Precautions for Radio Frequency Therapy
Radio Frequency therapy is a safe method to help build collagen, but there are a few things you should know about before the therapy as well as how to care for yourself afterwards.
- You should not have RF done if you have any implanted devices such as pacemakers or defibrilators.
- You should not get a skin peel in the same area of the body for at least 2 weeks prior to RF.
- Be sure to drink a lot of water for several days before and after your procedure.
- You should be sure to avoid sunlight on the areas treated for at least two weeks after therapy.
- Don’t get laser treatments, chemical peels, waxing, the use of depilatories, or microdermabrasion for 3-4 weeks after treatment in the area where you had RF performed.
- Wait at least 7 days before resuming the use of Retin-a (tretinoin), Renova, Differin, Tazorac, Ziana, Veltin, Atralin, glycolic acids or any other exfoliating agents in the area where you had RF therapy.