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Skin Laxity

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Skin laxity is the loose quality of thinning and weakened skin that develops as you age. When your skin weakens and gravity and sun exposure take their toll, you can develop signs of aging like sagging skin, wrinkles, and fine lines. There are several non-invasive treatments that can rejuvenate, tighten, and strengthen the skin to address this laxity. These include dermal fillers, laser therapy, light therapy, and Botox.

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At Derm & Rejuvenation Institute, expert dermatologist Dr. Tanya Kormeili provides skin laxity treatments for her patients in Santa Monica and the greater Los Angeles area. She combines her passion for dermatological science and compassionate patient care to provide exceptional cosmetic results. For more information about skin laxity treatments with Dr. Kormeili, call (310) 526-8301 or contact us online.

About Skin Laxity Treatments

Patients are often bothered by their thinning skin as they age. It is a frequent concern, as our patients often claim, “I don’t want granny hands!” UV rays from excessive sun exposure can cause accelerated aging and skin thinning. Aging itself can weaken and thin the skin as well. This happens partially as a result of the loss of collagen, a protein that is essential to the development and maintenance of healthy skin. ⁽¹⁾

As we age, our collagen levels slowly deplete, along with the ability to produce more as we need it. The skin can also weaken as a result of water loss. But drinking lots of water does not make your skin thicker. Water in the skin is held by a molecule called hyaluronic acid, which becomes less prevalent with age. All of these issues can make the skin too lax, which causes wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, and other signs of aging. Thankfully, Dr. Kormeili offers various treatments that can reduce skin laxity and improve your appearance.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Skin Laxity

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are cosmetic injectables that restore volume to the face and improve skin quality. Most fillers, such as JUVÉDERM® XC, improve the skin by increasing its volume using a hyaluronic acid formula. Dr. Kormeili injects the formula beneath the skin, where the increase in volume pulls the skin tighter and reduces wrinkles and fine lines. Other fillers, like Sculptra, revitalize the skin by stimulating collagen production. This can improve and strengthen the skin using its natural healing processes. Sculptra belongs to a class of dermal fillers known as poly-L-lactic acid fillers. Poly-L-lactic acid is a biocompatible and biodegradable substance that can enhance your features without appearing overdone.

Ulthera – Ultherapy

Ultherapy is a cosmetic treatment that utilizes ultrasound technology to rejuvenate the skin. It is a safe and effective procedure that offers natural-looking results without the need for surgery or incisions. It involves Dr. Kormeili applying ultra-high-frequency sound waves to penetrate the skin deeply and promote collagen production. This treatment can tighten, refine, and tone the skin for a youthful look. As well as the face and neck, Ultherapy can help improve the appearance of the chest area, smoothing out lines and restoring a more youthful look.

Thermage

Thermage is a non-invasive treatment for skin sagging that utilizes radiofrequency technology to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin. This revolutionary procedure addresses the loss of skin firmness and elasticity, helping patients achieve a more youthful appearance without the need for surgery or invasive procedures. Thermage is great for larger treatment areas like the thighs, buttocks, and abdomen.

Botox

Botox is a cosmetic injectable that can smooth wrinkles. It is a neuromodulator, which means that once injected it interacts with the muscles in the face and temporarily shuts them off. ⁽²⁾ These muscles are responsible for the facial expressions that lead to wrinkles and fine lines. When BOTOX turns them off, it reduces the appearance of wrinkles and stops the production of new or deeper ones.

Ematrix Laser

The Ematrix Laser is a device that combines radiofrequency energy with optical laser energy. This combination heats the skin and promotes collagen production. It is a fractionated resurfacing treatment, meaning it delivers targeted energy to small sections of the skin while leaving surrounding tissues unaffected. This unique approach allows for precise treatment and minimal downtime. The Ematrix technology also includes epidermal cooling which makes the procedure more comfortable and speeds up recovery time.

Benefits of Skin Laxity Treatments

There are many benefits to receiving skin laxity treatment from Dr. Kormeili. These include:

Strengthening your skin for a firmer look
Rejuvenating your skin and improving its health
Reducing wrinkles and fine lines
Restoring the moisturized and youthful look of your skin
Customized treatment for the face, neck, and decolletage
Increasing your confidence and self-esteem
Providing a smoother surface to apply makeup

Who is a Candidate for Skin Laxity Treatments?

An ideal candidate for skin laxity treatment will be tired of their loose, crepey, and wrinkly skin and ready to do something about it. These treatments are great for patients who want to see results but do not want to undergo invasive surgery. They can also work well for younger patients, serving as preventative measures that can tighten the skin before it has the chance to weaken and create further signs of aging.

If you have any rashes, infections, or other skin conditions, these treatments might cause unnecessary irritation or lead to further complications, so you should ensure it is in reasonable condition before undergoing any of these procedures. You should also have realistic expectations about what these treatments can do for you. If your skin laxity is severe, surgery like a facelift may be necessary to achieve the appearance that you desire.

Personal Consultation

At your personal consultation, we will answer all of the questions you have about skin laxity and the procedures that we offer to treat it. We will examine your skin and discuss your beauty goals to determine the best treatment for you. With the information we find, we can create a personalized treatment plan that will be designed to address your unique needs and provide optimal results. We will give you an accurate cost estimate for your treatment plan and give you detailed preparation instructions. When the consultation is over, we will schedule your first procedure appointment.

To schedule your personal consultation, call (310) 526-8301 or fill out this form.

Preparation

Preparing for your skin laxity treatment can help us make your experience at Derm & Rejuvenation Institute easier, quicker, more comfortable, and more successful. Your personalized preparation instructions may include changes to your prescriptions and certain lifestyle recommendations. Before any cosmetic treatment, you should avoid NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), which can thin the blood and increase bleeding and bruising. If you smoke tobacco products, you should quit until you have fully recovered from your skin laxity treatment. Smoking can affect your ability to heal and increase the chances of infection in your treatment areas. You should also avoid excessive sun exposure, as this can increase the sensitivity of your skin and cause discomfort during recovery. Continue to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle to speed up your recovery and improve your results.

Skin Laxity Treatment Procedure

The various skin laxity treatments that Dr. Kormeili offers are relatively simple and do not require more than an hour or two to complete. When you arrive for your procedure, she will clean your treatment area and administer a numbing cream or local anesthetic to prevent any discomfort. This will depend on the extent and depth of your treatment. She will then treat your skin with light therapy, ultrasound therapy, laser therapy, or injection particular to your treatment plan.

Recovery

None of our noninvasive skin laxity treatments require any downtime from work or everyday activities. However, taking it easy may help your treatment area heal in the initial stages of recovery. For the first few days after your treatment, you may experience some redness, bruising, and swelling in your treatment area. Applying a cold compress could help alleviate these symptoms and prevent discomfort from developing. Each procedure will have its own set of specific recovery instructions that you should follow closely to ensure optimal aesthetic results.

Results

The rate at which you will be able to see your final results will depend on the particular procedure that you receive. If your treatment involves the renewed production of collagen, the effects will come about gradually. This is because it takes some time for the new collagen to start healing your damaged skin cells and producing new ones. The results of a collagen-based treatment can continue improving for up to six months after the initial procedure.

If your treatment involves volume-increasing fillers, you will see a noticeable improvement in your appearance immediately. These results will continue to settle as swelling goes down for a period of several weeks after your procedure. If you are receiving BOTOX, the formula will take only three to four days to take effect. All of these treatments provide results that can last for several months to years, and living a healthy and active lifestyle will prolong them further. It is possible to receive several noninvasive skin laxity treatments to maintain your appearance.

How Much Does Skin Laxity Treatment Cost in Santa Monica?

The cost of your skin laxity treatment will depend on the details of your procedure and how many treatment sessions you will need. To find out more about how much skin laxity treatments cost with Dr. Kormeili, call (310) 526-8301 or visit our contact page.

FAQ

Why does my skin sag?

As we age, our skin’s ability to stretch and recoil decreases due to the reduction in collagen and elastin production. Collagen is the protein that provides strength and structure to the skin, while elastin allows it to snap back into place after being stretched. There are various surgical and non-surgical solutions for skin laxity, including facelifts, laser treatments, ultrasound therapy, and injectables.

How long do dermal fillers last?

Dermal fillers that primarily involve hyaluronic acid as a volume booster typically last from three months to a year before they dissolve naturally into the body. It is normal to receive additional fillers once the results have worn off.

How long does BOTOX last?

BOTOX will take effect within the first week after the injections and can have tightening and smoothing effects on the skin for up to four months.

What does collagen do?

Collagen is a structural protein that contributes to skin health. When it is stimulated into production by a skin laxity treatment, it can tighten and rejuvenate the skin by healing it and improving its quality at a fundamental level.

References

Wang H. A Review of the Effects of Collagen Treatment in Clinical Studies. Polymers. 2021;13(22):3868. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13223868
Satriyasa BK. Botulinum toxin (Botox) A for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles: a literature review of clinical use and pharmacological aspect. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2019;Volume 12(12):223-228. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s202919

Before and After Photos