Skin Tightening – Dr Hans Clinics

Skin TighteningTightening

Why the term “tightening” is misleading

“Skin tightening” is a popular phrase, but medically it’s not accurate. Skin doesn’t simply “tighten” like an elastic band. What actually happens is:

Collagen and elastin stimulation → devices or injectables trigger fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin.
Dermal remodelling → heat, mechanical injury, or bio-stimulatory products remodel the dermis over weeks to months.
Volume and support restoration → some treatments work by thickening skin, some by restoring lost volume beneath.

So, skin tightening is really about improving laxity, firmness, and texture by stimulating biology — not pulling the skin taut.

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Treatments We Offer for Skin Laxity

1. Tixel® 2 (Thermo-Mechanical Energy)

● Creates controlled micro-channels using heat transfer, triggering collagen renewal.

● Effective for mild to moderate laxity, especially around delicate areas like eyes, neck, and décolleté.

● Safer for skin of colour compared to lasers (lower risk of PIH).

2. Sylfirm X (Microneedling RF with selective targeting)

● Combines microneedling with radiofrequency for dual collagen stimulation.

● Useful for crepey skin, neck laxity, and early jowl sagging.

● Selective pulsing can also target vascularity (redness, rosacea).

3. Morpheus8 (Fractional RF Microneedling)

● Penetrates deeper than Sylfirm, remodels fat and fibrous septa.

● Better suited for jawline contouring and moderate laxity.

● Caution: higher PIH risk in darker skin types.

4. Biostimulators (Radiesse, Sculptra, Biofiller/PRF EZ Gel)

● Injectable options that restore support and stimulate new collagen.

● Particularly effective for lower face, temples, and hands where volume and structure loss accelerate sagging.

5. Referral to Plastic Surgery

● For advanced laxity (e.g., severe jowls, neck bands, significant weight loss patients), non-surgical options won’t suffice.

● In those cases, we’ll refer you to trusted plastic surgeons for surgical lifting procedures.

Evidence & What to Expect

● Collagen takes time → Results build gradually over 3–6 months.

● Maintenance is key → Annual or biannual treatments often required.

● Limited claims → Mild to moderate laxity responds best. Severe sagging requires surgery.

● Studies:
○ RF and thermo-mechanical devices consistently show increases in dermal collagen on histology.
○ Biostimulators like Sculptra and Radiesse have Level 1 evidence for stimulating neocollagenesis.

Is Skin Tightening Right for You?

● ✅ Mild to moderate laxity, fine lines, crepey texture.

● ✅ Preventive or early intervention in your 30s–50s.

● ❌ Severe sagging (you’ll get frustrated — surgery is the answer here).

● ❌ Unrealistic expectations (“one treatment facelift”).

Honest Takeaway

Skin tightening isn’t magic. It’s science-driven collagen stimulation. Done right, it can make skin firmer, smoother, and more youthful — but it won’t replace surgery.