Skin Tightening

As we age and time passes us by, our skin becomes loose, discolored, and begins to sag.  Environmental exposure to toxins, ultraviolet light and gravity as well as loss of hormones cause our skin to change resulting in wrinkles, color and texture changes and “puffiness”.  Being able to maintain the tight, smooth skin as we had when young is a key component to facial anti-aging.

At East Bay Innovative Medicine we use one of the most recommended instruments made by Clarion which has been FDA cleared for skin tightening to tighten loose facial and neck skin. 

How does it work?

The Clarion hand piece uses a unique wavelength that heats deep tissue and collagen creating a controlled thermal injury. This triggers the body’s healing response to create new collagen, and to tighten the coils of existing collagen thereby pulling it closer to the face. Skin tightening can be performed on all skin types regardless of pigment.

Does the treatment hurt?

We apply a topical anesthetic cream to your skin prior to the procedure resulting in an almost pain-free experience.  You will feel a sense of warmth which is well-tolerated. There is no pain after the treatment is completed.

What do I look like after the treatment?

There will be mild redness that will fade quickly. You will be able to go back to work the same day and continue with your normal skin care.

When will I notice the effect?

There can be some immediate benefit noted. It will take one to two months for the full amount of collagen tightening to take place.

How long does it last?

The increased amount of collagen that occurs in the skin after the tightening procedure is a permanent improvement. However since the aging process will continue we recommend periodic treatments at typically anywhere from six months to one year intervals.

When should I start?

The sooner the better. The treatment works best on healthy skin. The sooner that you start the better the outcome in most cases.  We do recommend that you avoid sun and cigarette smoke exposure.  

Can I use it if I’ve had a facelift?

Yes. Skin tightening and other intense pulse light therapies are complementary to surgical treatment. Surgery pulls the skin tighter, but does not improve the cells of the skin. Clarion skin tightening and IPL stimulates production of more collagen, more skin cells, thus improving the anatomy of the skin. 

Which skin tightening treatment should I choose?  Plasma facials or the Clarion?

These two modalities are complementary and each can be used in sequence to gain maximum benefit. In general, younger skin with less tissue deficit may only need the Clarion skin tightening, however, the plasma facial will help to keep your skin soft and youthful in appearance. If there is more tissue deficit, deeper folds and more extensive sagging, a combination of treatments may be recommended. In addition, the Clarion is completely non-invasive thus it is a good option for those who do not want any type of puncturing or injecting of the skin.