Most people expect a few wrinkles and laugh lines as they age, but sagging skin? Probably not so much. Fortunately, help is available.

Dr. Peter Karlsberg and his physician’s assistant Michele Ayans use a combination of art and science for natural-looking results at the Ventura Institute for Dermatologic Arts offices in Ventura and Camarillo, California. They provide personalized care and innovative cosmetic dermatological treatments, including skin tightening and more.

Sagging skin

The loss of fat can cause skin to sag, as can a decrease in the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen consists of fibers that help the skin remain taut and firm while elastin gives it elasticity and allows it to stretch and then bounce back.

A reduction in these two important proteins can occur due to age as well as factors like exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun and/or tanning beds and environmental pollutants. Unhealthy habits such as a poor diet, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking can also play a role.

Sagging skin can occur just about anywhere on the body, but some common locations include the eyelids, chin, and jowls. Other frequent problem areas are the throat, upper arms, and stomach.

Treatment

Historically, facelifts and other invasive procedures have been used to reduce sagging skin, but thanks to innovative advances, there are a number of options now available to tighten skin without surgery. Two of these are Silhouette InstaLift™ and treatments that use radiofrequency energy.

Silhouette InstaLift

This procedure is a minimally-invasive alternative to a facelift that involves using a self-anchoring thread that dissolves over time through areas that need lifting and tightening. The thread encourages new collagen production, which results in plumper, tighter skin. Even as the thread is absorbed into the body over time, the new collagen network created continues the desired lifting of the skin.

Radiofrequency

Radiofrequency treatments can be conducted on any part of the body. They use safe and effective therapeutic thermal energy to encourage collagen production that creates a new network, leaving the skin looking tighter and firmer. Thermage® can be performed on the face, eyes, and body while ThermiTight® treats the neck and ThermiSmooth® is used on the face.

In addition to being safe and minimally invasive, these two procedures have the added benefit of requiring only a nominal amount of downtime for recovery.

If you look in the mirror and are unhappy with sagging skin, call us today at (805) 677-1600 to make an appointment to learn more about our multiple skin tightening treatments.