Skin Tightening: Surgical or Non-Surgical

One of the natural parts of aging is the reduction of collagen and elastin in the skin and, as estrogen levels drop during menopause, dehydration. Skin loses its elasticity and plumpness. Gravity, wear and tear, and weight fluctuations show up as sagging skin. Features are less defined, the neck and jowls begin to look fleshy, wrinkles and fold deepen. This is the time when we turn to surgical and non-surgical skin tightening procedures.

Face lifts, brow lifts, neck lifts, any kind of "lift" is a surgical procedure which tightens the skin. While tightening the skin, muscles can be tightened and any excess tissue and fat removed. Surgery is not the only way to achieve tighter skin. Energy-based treatments, using light or radiofrequency, are now used to improve imperfections including fine lines and discoloration, while simultaneously encouraging new cell growth and collagen production. They cannot sculpt muscle and tissue, but non-surgical skin tightening alternatives range in extensiveness and can mimic the effects of "lifting" surgeries.

To read more about skincare procedures, click here to view skincare articles from The Cosmetic Surgery Directory.