NIR Skin Tightening and Contouring
Surgery is not the only one that can tighten loose or saggy skin on the face, neck, and other areas of the body. If you’re not ready or willing to go under the knife, a non-invasive procedure called NIR (Near Infrared) Skin Tightening may be the right treatment for you. NIR Skin Tightening can treat and improve aging, sagging, and crepey-looking skin, giving it a more youthful appearance. It is less aggressive than laser resurfacing and chemical peels, which means that it can rejuvenate the skin with fewer side effects and minimal downtime. It is also suitable for all skin types and can treat different areas of the body.
What is Near Infrared Skin Tightening?
NIR Skin Tightening is a non-surgical, non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that can help tighten and contour the skin, as well as reduce cellulite. At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, we use the Alma Laser with the NIR handpiece, which delivers pulsed light to tighten loose skin on the face, neck, arms, abdomen, and other areas of the body.
The NIR technology uses high-power infrared light energy to heat the subdermal (below the skin’s top layers) tissue. This stimulates the growth of new collagen to tighten laxity and rejuvenate the skin, giving it a more youthful glow. It enhances the collagen fibers, reducing the appearance of loose skin and improving its tone and texture.
How does it work?
NIR uses a safe, pulsed infrared light that effectively heats the skin’s deeper layer and heats the water in the tissue. This then causes the collagen fibers to tighten and contract, as well as stimulates fibroblast to repair skin cells and build new collagen. This can firm sagging skin and soften fine lines and wrinkles.
The NIR light technology only heats the subdermal tissues or deeper layers of the skin that has collagen. This only means that it leaves the surface layer of the skin unaffected. NIR, furthermore, is carried out using the In-Motion technique, which means that the handpiece is moved around or in motion, instead of being held still. This ensures an effective and yet safe treatment.
What happens during the procedure?
Before starting the treatment, oil is applied to the skin to allow the handpiece to glide over the targeted treatment area. This also helps in heating the skin to achieve the desired temperature.
The handpiece safely heats the skin until it reaches a set temperature. This is maintained for a further 10 to 15 minutes. The whole procedure can be completed for 30 to 40 minutes, but this of course depends on the size of the area.
FAQs
What are the treatable areas?
NIR is safe for all skin types and can treat different areas of the face and the body, including the:
- Chin and jowls
- Cheeks
- Crow’s feet
- Forehead
- Neck and décolleté
Is NIR skin tightening painful?
You will not feel any pain during the treatment. There may be some slight discomfort as the handpiece elevates the tissue temperature. The sensation is warm, which is similar to being on a sunbed and can be slightly uncomfortable (at most). The handpiece, however, has a built-in cooling system, preventing the skin from overheating.
Are there any side effects or downtime?
Since the treatment heats the skin, you should expect redness and mild swelling after the procedure. These, however, should subside within several hours. There is no significant downtime, so you can immediately return to your normal routines after the treatment.
How soon will I see the results?
Patients notice improvements (firmer-looking skin) soon after the procedure, which is partly due to the slight swelling of the skin. With repeated treatments, you will see noticeable improvements in the tightening and firming of the skin over a period of 2 to 3 months. Tightening effects of the treatments are cumulative and take several months to become visible as this is the period of time it takes for the skin to naturally build new collagen.
How many treatments will I need?
This depends on each patient’s unique needs. Most patients require repeated treatments which is usually the case for non-invasive treatments like the NIR. Of course, those with more prominent skin laxity or deeper wrinkles may require more treatments. A consultation with our aesthetic doctor will help determine the number of sessions needed to achieve optimal results.
How long do the results of NIR skin tightening last?
You can imagine the new collagen created by the NIR treatment as putting collagen in your skin bank. As with your own collagen, the newly created collagen deteriorates over time in the course of the natural aging process. Following this, repeated treatments are key for maintaining a more youthful appearance.
Want to learn more about how NIR Skin Tightening can give you a younger-looking appearance? Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics today to book your appointment.