As we age, our skin begins to sag, droop, and wrinkle. Not only does this make many people self-conscious and looking older than they feel, but it can also change their resting expression, and make them look tired or angry. Patients who are looking for brighter, younger-looking skin in the Washington, D.C. area may find that Skintyte at Dr. Philip Schoenfeld’s plastic surgery office, Renu Artful Medicine, is the perfect solution to many signs of aging.
To prolong a youthful appearance and display a more energetic look, Renu Artful Medicine offers patients an array of surgical and non-surgical eye rejuvenation procedures. One of the most transformative surgeries is blepharoplasty, commonly called eyelid lift surgery, performed by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld of the Washington, D.C. suburb, Chevy Chase, MD.
Skin is a marvel of nature, an elastic organ that protects our internal organs and other body parts. As we grow and gain or lose weight, our skin stretches or retracts as necessary to compensate for these normal fluctuations. Over time, however, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin, the essential proteins needed for firm, elastic skin. This causes the skin to sag and droop, losing its youthful qualities.
Crepey skin, wrinkles, and loose skin that develop from age or significant weight loss indicate that the skin has already lost much of its natural elasticity and will not retract on its own. There are several methods for improving these signs of aging in cosmetic surgery, including dermal fillers, surgery, and laser treatments.
Today, non-invasive skin treatments such as Skintyte are becoming more advanced, allowing patients to enjoy radiant, youthful skin without surgery.
Skintyte is a state-of-the-art infrared light treatment that tightens skin gradually by activating collagen and elastin production and contracting existing collagen. It is gentle, non-invasive, and safe for all skin types.
During a Skintyte treatment, infrared light from the device gently heats soft tissue and deep layers of skin, jumpstarting the body’s natural healing processes as it goes. The result is firmer, tighter skin in the treatment area, whether on the face, neck, arms, belly, or nearly any other area of the body. The treatment can also be used to treat cellulite.
Most sessions take only 30 minutes to complete. Patients with busy lifestyles who want to look younger may be ideal candidates for Skintyte. Full results from Skintyte will emerge over time and after multiple sessions, usually 2-5 treatments over several months.
Skintyte is a safe, non-invasive procedure for patients who are hoping for more youthful, tighter skin. It is important to note, however, that the procedure is not a replacement for surgeries like facelifts, which can treat advanced signs of aging like severe sagging skin more effectively than any non-surgical options. Dr. Schoenfeld evaluates each patient’s needs during an initial consultation and creates a customized treatment plan to ensure optimal results.
Before a Skintyte treatment at the Renu office in Chevy Chase, all ointments, creams, and cosmetics should be removed, and men will be asked to shave.
Patients with any facial infections like blisters, herpetic sores, cold sores, or lesions will likely be asked to reschedule their Skintyte treatment, as skin should optimally be healed over completely to avoid pain and discomfort and to prevent the spread of infection during the procedure.
Right before the procedure, protective goggles will be provided. If the patient feels anxious about discomfort during the skin tightening treatment, a topical pain relief ointment will be applied.
Once the patient is comfortable, the treatment will begin. Gentle, rapid pulses of infrared light energy will come from the handpiece, and the surgeon or esthetician will pass the device over the treatment area several times for uniform results. The sapphire cooling unit ensures that the skin and soft tissue is protected and cooled evenly while deep heating is delivered to the dermal collagen. The procedure should take around 30 minutes, though the exact treatment time will vary depending on the desired results.
There is no need for downtime after treatment and while some redness is expected, this usually fades away quickly. Sunscreen, ointments, and makeup can be applied as soon as a patient has left the office.
Returning back to your daily schedule with few problems is normal. While there is no specific post-procedure checklist to follow, a customized aftercare regimen will be discussed and made for you.
Results may vary and will take time to emerge, as the body’s natural healing processes will gradually build up collagen and tighten the skin over time. While some patients observe noticeably tighter skin after just one treatment, this is not the norm.
Patients can expect to start seeing results in a few months, after undergoing multiple treatments. Each treatment is spaced about 3-4 weeks apart and a series of 4-5 sessions is typically recommended for new patients.
Side effects are mild and may include redness and minor swelling that usually fade away within hours of treatment. Some patients develop hyperpigmentation or other pigmentation problems in their skin. This can often be resolved with a quick appointment at our office and is not indicative of more serious problems. Our team goes over the risks and side effects of the procedure before scheduling the first session
Skintyte and Thermage both offer patients skin tightening, but use different types of energy and different levels of intensity. Skintyte uses infrared light while Thermage uses radiofrequency energy.
The field of plastic surgery has seen many advances in technology in just the last few decades. Today, a wide range of nonsurgical skin tightening devices are available or are in the process of being approved for use in the United States.
Most modern skin tightening devices and procedures were inspired by the first device of this kind: Thermage. Thermage delivers monoplane radiofrequency energy into the tissues to heat them and encourage collagen production.
When the device first came out, medical professionals offered patients 1-2 sessions of Thermage that used high levels of radiofrequency energy. This not only caused patients discomfort but also sometimes resulted in atrophic scarring and even fat necrosis.
The manufacturer of Thermage has updated their tech to include a vacuum and the use of a cooling spray before treatment, which has helped immensely with discomfort and side effects.
Results for Thermage typically show in 2-6 months following treatment. Skintyte results are also gradual, but the process is known to be gentler.
Thermage treatments average as high as $2,000 for a facial treatment and up to $5,000 for treatment anywhere else on the body. Skintyte costs, on average, around $300-$375 for one treatment, but a full treatment may cost anywhere from around $900-$5000, depending on the treatment areas.
Thermage and Skintyte share similar warnings for possible, but rare, side effects, including redness, swelling, and discoloration. However, Thermage has the added side effects of potential blisters, bruising, and pitting or indentations on the surface of the skin that have a very small chance of being permanent. Additionally, patients who wear a pacemaker or defibrillator should not choose Thermage.
We are fortunate to live in a time when so many different skin tightening treatment options exist. Some options are more suited to specific situations and patient preferences, such as wanting as few treatments as possible.
If you want tighter, younger-looking skin without needing a series of treatments, Ultherapy maybe your best option as its results can last for up to a year. It is a nonsurgical treatment that uses ultrasound energy to lift and tighten skin with just one treatment.
Ultherapy is a good choice if you want a lift to your skin without using dermal fillers because the energy from the device penetrates the layers of skin and muscle to lift the tissues of the face and neck. The face, neck, and chest are all cleared areas for this FDA-approved treatment.
If you simply need subtle skin tightening and prefer multiple, less-intense sessions spread out evenly over a customized schedule, as opposed to intensive one-time treatment, then Skintyte is probably a better option for you.
Skintyte may not be as effective on more severe sagging or larger amounts of loose skin, but the treatment is effective and gentle for patients with minor to moderate lax, loose skin. Patients with more advanced signs of aging may want to try Ultherapy or even plastic surgery instead
Skintyte treatments are safe for all skin types, colors, and textures. Good candidates include patients who have developed sun damage, including pigmentation issues, sunburn, or age spots and many other dermal issues like:
Patients with autoimmune or connective tissue disorders and pregnant patients should not undergo Skintyte treatments. Dr. Schoenfeld and his staff evaluate each patient for candidacy prior to the first treatment session.
Anyone who has recently tanned or used tanning products and anyone who is considering tanning or applying tanning products soon after the procedure should reconsider or reschedule their Skintyte treatment.
As the Skintyte device is small and handheld, nearly any part of the body can be treated. Popular areas include the abdomen, face and neck, and arms, but other areas include the thighs, buttocks, the upper and lower back, and the calves and ankles. These less common areas are more popular among patients requesting Skintyte for cellulite treatment.
As a highly experienced double board certified plastic surgeon, I have dedicated my career to providing my patients with the best possible outcomes. I’ve specialized in facial plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery in Washington DC and Maryland since 1998. My training and experience have given me a deep understanding of the anatomy of the face and body, and I use this knowledge to develop customized treatment plans for each of my patients.
I am committed to staying up to date with the latest advances in plastic surgery, and I use state-of-the-art technology and techniques to deliver the best results. I take a personalized approach to care, taking the time to understand each patient’s individual needs and goals.
When you choose me as your plastic surgeon, you can trust that you will receive the highest quality care and attention. I am dedicated to helping my patients achieve their desired results, and I will work with you every step of the way to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Here is what separates Dr. Schoenfeld from other surgeons in the DMV area:
Dr. Philip Schoenfeld has been improving patients’ lives with aesthetic medicine since 1998. His years of experience and glowing patient reviews showcase his ability to deliver natural-looking, beautiful results for men and women with a range of needs and goals. He is a double board-certified surgeon of The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as a top surgeon, doctor, and a leading expert on facial and body aesthetics and rejuvenation.
If you’re in need of quick, painless, and cost-effective skin tightening options like Skintyte in Chevy Chase, MD, contact Dr. Philip Schoenfeld’s office, RENU Artful Medicine, today by calling (301) 652-7368 or filling out the email form at https://www.renudc.com.
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