Do you have stubborn fatty areas on your body that just won’t go away no matter how hard you diet and exercise? Smartlipo at Finesse Cosmetic Laser & Lipo Center in Waltham, MA can resolve those problem areas and leave you with an attractive, sleek figure. Smartlipo won’t significantly lower your weight, but it’ll accomplish something even better. This treatment can reshape and contour your body, enhancing the curves you like while sloughing away the fatty deposits you’d rather get rid of. It will give you a silhouette you can be proud of.

What Is Smartlipo?

Smartlipo, which is also referred to as laser lipo, is a minimally invasive treatment that gets rid of excess, unwanted fat while also smoothing and tightening skin in the targeted area. It’s a gentler version of traditional liposuction with a faster recovery time. During treatment, a tube known as a cannula is inserted through a 3-mm incision and into pockets of fat.

The cannula, which has a laser fiber tip, is gently moved back and forth beneath the skin, rupturing the fat cells it comes into contact with. The subtle heat generated by the laser also spurs collagen production in the skin, which smooths and tightens the treatment area.

How Does It Differ From Traditional Liposuction?

Traditional liposuction and laser lipo work in similar ways to get rid of unwanted fat, but there are some key differences in the two treatments. While traditional lipo relies more heavily on suction and physical manipulation to remove the fat, the laser in Smartlipo essentially melts the fat, making it easier to remove.

The end result is a minimally invasive treatment that has a faster recovery period. The skin tightening associated with laser lipo is also greater than the tightening associated with traditional liposuction. Because of its advantages, laser lipo has gradually replaced traditional liposuction as the preferred treatment.

What Parts of the Body Can Be Treated?

This type of lipo is especially effective when it’s used to contour the abdomen, back, flanks, knees, thighs, saddlebags, arms, bra bulge, and areas of the body where the skin is loose or flabby.

How Soon Will I See Results?

You’ll see some results almost immediately. In fact, many of the fat cells that are targeted are ruptured and removed during treatment. The remaining fat will gradually drain from the body over the coming months. Some patients see continued improvement for up to six months after treatment.

Will I Lose Weight as a Result of the Treatment?

You may lose a few pounds as a result of this treatment. After all, this type of liposuction is one of the few body contouring treatments that actually removes a specific amount of fat from the body. The real advantage of laser lipo, though, is not the pounds it removes but its ability to help reshape and redefine your body.

Traditional weight loss often results in pounds being shed uniformly throughout the body. But laser lipo allows for a true sculpting of the body that may involve enhancing certain curves and refining musculature in one region while whittling away excess fat and flab in another.

Most patients say they are highly satisfied with the results, which are often more dramatic than straightforward weight loss. However, if your ultimate goal is to shed a notable amount of weight, you may be better served by pursuing traditional weight loss techniques like diet and exercise, or in some cases, bariatric surgery.

Support for a Healthy Lifestyle

Some patients find that this type of liposuction allows them to become more active, which can impact their weight long-term. Once your body has been contoured and you’ve gotten rid of some of your trouble spots with the help of laser lipo, you’ll feel better and it will be easier to move and exercise. As a result, you may feel more energized and better able to maintain an active lifestyle and a healthy weight.

Weight Gain After Treatment

If you do gain a significant amount of weight after your treatment, the fat will likely show up on parts of the body that were addressed with laser lipo. The best way to maintain your results is to try to manage your weight through regular exercise and a healthful diet.

Improved Appearance of Cellulite

Cellulite can be tricky to treat, but in some patients, this type of liposuction can reduce the appearance of bumpy, dimpled skin. Cellulite is caused by the fibrous bands that run between the skin and the underlying muscles. As fat builds up beneath the skin, it can put pressure on the bands, resulting in a puckered look. Cellulite is not a sign of any underlying health condition and it does not pose a medical threat, but from a cosmetic standpoint, it embarrasses many patients. Laser lipo can sometimes minimize the look of cellulite by getting rid of excess fat and breaking down the fibrous bands.

Treatment Combinations

Laser lipo can dramatically improve the look of your body. For maximum results, some patients also opt to combine this type of liposuction with other aesthetic services from our practice, including tummy tucks and facelifts. During your consultation, we can work with you to come up with the perfect mix of treatments to achieve your cosmetic goals.

What Are the Advantages of This Treatment?

Laser lipo offers a number of advantages over traditional liposuction and other body sculpting treatments.

Better Results

This treatment offers excellent long-term results for our patients. Patients look trimmer and more youthful after treatment, and Smartlipo results in 60 percent more skin tightening than traditional liposuction. This type of lipo is part of a class of minimally invasive body contouring treatments that work in different ways to rid the body of unwanted fat. Other body contouring treatments freeze, melt, or otherwise manipulate fat in ways that encourage it to start to fade away. Laser lipo is unusual in that it removes a specific amount of fat directly from the body.

Versatility

This type of liposuction has been successfully used all over the body, including in seemingly hard to treat areas like the face and neck. Laser lipo is a versatile treatment option that can be used to address many of your concerns.

Convenience

One of the great things about this type of lipo is that there is little downtime associated with treatment, which means you’ll be back on your feet and enjoying your new look in no time. One laser lipo treatment is all most patients need, and each area that is treated will take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes. Because this is a minimally invasive treatment, most patients are back at work in three days. Laser lipo is a good option for time-crunched parents and busy working professionals who can’t afford to take a couple of weeks off for a more involved cosmetic procedure or traditional liposuction.

You’ll Feel Great About Yourself

Many of our patients have struggled for years with stubborn fatty areas on their body. Love handles, abdominal fat, and flabby upper arms are just a few of the areas that commonly frustrate patients. With just a single treatment, you can say goodbye to those problem areas and redefine your silhouette. Clothes you haven’t worn in years will suddenly fit again, and you’ll look forward to wearing your bathing suit. You’ll be amazed at how good you feel and how much more confidence you have.

A Safe Option

Laser lipo was approved by the FDA in 2006. It has been widely studied and is considered a safe and effective option. This treatment is performed using local anesthesia as opposed to general anesthesia. It also tends to be less stressful on the body than traditional liposuction.

Skin Tightening

Laser lipo, because of its skin tightening benefit, is less likely to leave patients with sagging skin. This is an especially important benefit to older patients whose skin may have less elasticity.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

This type of liposuction is successfully performed on both men and women and on patients with all skin tones and types. It is a widely accessible treatment, although there are a few signs that you may be an especially good candidate.

You’re Looking for a Tuneup

Most of the patients who seek out this type of liposuction are ready to improve their body. Some are starting to see the first signs of aging and want to take action. Others have been dieting and exercising, and may have even lost some weight, but they have stubborn problem areas that simply won’t shape up. The ideal candidate is not far over his or her ideal weight and simply wants to shape up.

You’re in Good Overall Health

The best candidates are in good overall health. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have diabetes, liver disease, unstable hypertension, coronary artery disease, or bleeding disorders generally are not candidates for this treatment. Patients who are taking Coumadin or Heparin are also not candidates for this treatment.

You’re Emotionally Stable

Change isn’t easy, even when it’s a change you’re excited about. Changing your body can be particularly emotional. The ideal patient is realistic about treatment outcomes and is emotionally stable enough to handle the improvements the body will experience.

What Is Treatment Like?

The first step will be your consultation, where we’ll review your medical history and current medications. We’ll also talk with you about your concerns and problem areas as well as your goals for treatment. We offer a number of treatment options, and as part of your consultation, we’ll work with you to determine if this type of liposuction or another service will best accomplish what you’re aiming for. After your consultation, it’s just a matter of scheduling your treatment.

What Should I Do After Treatment?

After the anesthesia from your treatment has worn off, you’ll feel much like you do following a vigorous workout. We usually recommend that patients take it easy and get plenty of rest for a day or two following treatment. We also ask that patients wear a compression garment around the treatment area for two or three weeks following their appointment. The compression garment encourages healing and helps the skin to conform to the new body shape. Patients can begin exercising two weeks after their treatment.

Why Choose Our Practice?

If you’re ready to get rid of stubborn fatty areas, reshape your body, and rejuvenate your appearance, it may be time to consider laser lipo. Our team is experienced, and our practice has historically been one of the busiest Smartlipo centers in the region. All treatments take place in our comfortable, spa-like practice, and we offer health care financing. For more information, call Finesse Cosmetic Laser & Lipo Center in Waltham, MA and ask about Smartlipo.

Sometimes working out and eating well aren’t enough to give you the shape and smooth complexion on your body you’d like. Stubborn pockets of fat and cellulite can be frustrating when you’ve worked so hard for your shape. If you’re unhappy with the contours of certain parts of your body, reach out to Finesse Cosmetic Laser and Lipo in Waltham, MA and ask about the revolutionary VelaShape treatment.

What Causes Cellulite?

The medical community doesn’t know exactly what causes cellulite, but they do know its behavior. Women are far more likely to develop cellulite than men. In fact, between 80 and 90 percent of women will experience cellulite at some point in their lives. The reason for this genetic disposition is the way fat is distributed in women and how women’s connective tissues are attached to the fat layers underneath.

Though it’s most likely to affect people as they get older and/or gain weight, cellulite can even be found in people under the age of 25 and who are in great shape.

Stages of Cellulite

Cellulite has been classified into one of three stages according to the Nurnberger-Muller Cellulite Classification Scale.

Stage 1

Clients with this stage will experience no dimpling when they’re either standing up or lying down. When they pinch areas of their bodies, they will see an “orange peel” appearance to the pinched area.

Stage 2

These clients may see spots of cellulite dimpling happen spontaneously when they are standing. They won’t see any signs of an orange peel appearance when they’re lying down.

Stage 3

These clients are experiencing a more severe appearance of cellulite and will see dimpling when they are both standing and lying down.

Distribution of Fat

Women are more likely to gain weight in their thighs, hips, and buttocks which are the areas where cellulite is most commonly seen. Men tend to gain weight around their middle section, and that area of the body is less likely to experience cellulite.

Weight gain or being overweight isn’t always a factor in the appearance of cellulite, but it can be. Some very lean and active people also experience what has been dubbed “orange peel” because of its texture and appearance.

Connective Tissue

In our middle layer of skin or the dermis, collagen holds all of our skin cells together. In women, the fibrous protein is connected to the fat layers in the deepest layer, the hypodermis, by being arranged vertically. In men, this tissue is arranged in a crisscross structure.

The vertical anchors in women are more likely to let fat cells from below protrude into the layer of skin just below the surface. This can give the skin a lumpy appearance. In men, the tight structure of the tissue doesn’t allow for a lot of open space where fat can make its way to the surface.

Hormones

Another theory about why women are more likely to develop cellulite revolves around estrogen. When women approach menopause and their estrogen levels drop, the blood flow to their connective tissue drops. This causes the middle layer of collagen fibers to weaken, possibly allowing for more fat to break through and appear under the surface of the skin.

When we age, our collagen levels drop and its production declines. Women approaching menopause have a more significant drop in collagen. This causes their skin to lose elasticity, become thinner and sag. This weakened structure of skin sometimes isn’t enough to hold fat deposits at bay in the deepest layer of their skin. As estrogen levels fall, fat cells enlarge, further adding to the problem.

Genetics

If you have family members who suffer from cellulite, you may have a greater chance of developing it too. Our genes play a role in our body’s speed of metabolism, circulatory system function and distribution of fat. Any of these attributes could be a contributing factor in the development of cellulite.

Other Factors

The medical community can only study people with cellulite and find commonalities to draw from when explaining its development. They’ve been able to draw certain correlations, but it’s always important to remember that correlation is not causation and no actual research has been done to establish or prove a scientific theory. Some of the correlating factors are:

• Smoking
• A diet high in fat and carbs
• Too much salt
• Not enough fiber
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Wearing tight clothing that limits blood flow
• Sitting or standing in one position repeatedly

Treatments

There are a lot of products and treatments out there that claim to either improve or eliminate cellulite. Topical creams and lotions that contain caffeine or retinol purport increasing blood flow to reduce cellulite’s appearance. These have been found to have only a minimal effect on cellulite appearance with no effect on the circumference of the area.

There is one innovative treatment that is getting dramatic results for clients seeking cellulite and circumferential reduction while restoring a more youthful contour: VelaShape.

What Is VelaShape?

VelaShape is an FDA approved non-surgical, non-invasive body contouring treatment that’s been shown effective in:

• Reducing localized deposits of fat
• Smoothing and reducing the appearance of cellulite
• Toning skin

Clients love that they can achieve transformative results without the expense or downtime of liposuction or other invasive surgeries. Results are also not dependent on diet weight loss. This treatment uses a combination of technologies to contour areas of your body that have been diet and exercise-resistant.

How Does VelaShape Work?

VelaShape combines several successful modalities into one transformative treatment. This therapy uses infrared light, bi-polar radiofrequency, vacuum and mechanical massage to cause a gentle and deep heating of collagen fibers in the dermis, fat cells and their surrounding connective tissues. This simultaneous heating and vacuum stimulates your body’s natural healing process and revs up your collagen production.

When you have stronger collagen fibers and increased elasticity, you’ll experience a tightening of your skin, reduction in the treated area’s volume and an overall improvement of your skin structure and texture. This leads to reduced fat bulges, and many clients find they are able to wear a smaller clothing size.

Where Can VelaShape Be Used?

Only your doctor can determine which areas of concern would be best treated by this therapy. This treatment is designed to address both large and small areas on the body so can be a fantastic solution for cellulite and fat deposits found on the:

• Thighs
• Buttocks
• Love handles
• Abdomen
• Hips
• Back
• Arms
• Neck
• Chin

What to Expect

From start to finish, the VelaShape experience is a comfortable and positive one. Clients rave about the process and, of course, the results.

Consultation

During this meeting with your doctor, the two of you will discuss your areas of concern and the results you’d like to achieve. Your doctor will examine the potential treatment areas to assess which treatment would be best suited for you.

You’ll review your health history, medical background, allergies and any other treatments or procedures you’ve had done. Once you’ve both decided this is the right choice for you, there isn’t any preparation for you to do before this non-invasive treatment. If there are any specific instructions unique to you, you’ll be given them during this consultation.

During Treatment

Most clients describe the actual treatment as comfortable, and it is generally very well tolerated. Radiofrequency and infrared light will precisely target the fatty deposits and chambers below your skin. You will feel the sensation of the vacuum and the massaging action of the device.

Clients describe this treatment as like getting a deep tissue massage with heat. This treatment is designed with your sensitivities and comfort in mind, so always let your doctor know how you’re feeling throughout your session.

Post-Treatment

You will immediately be able to return to your normal routine after treatment, because there is no downtime. You may experience a warm sensation in your skin for a few hours, and that’s normal. Treatment times will vary according to the areas you’re having done. Most appointments last around 30 minutes.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

The number of sessions you will need to achieve the results you’re looking for will depend on the condition of your skin, what results you’d like to achieve and how your body responds to treatment.

Most clients start with three treatment sessions but may choose up to six to maximize their results. Each client’s needs are different.

How Far Apart Should Treatments Be?

Each of your appointments will be scheduled approximately two weeks apart from each other. This will allow your body to heal and more collagen to be produced. After two weeks, the same treatment will be done, but you’ll be starting with your skin in a healthier place and with less fat than the time before.

Results

Most clients will see results after their third session, about six weeks after their first treatment. Results are gradual and cumulative. Your results will continue to improve, with the best results being most apparent two to three months after your final treatment. This is when the circumference and cellulite reduction will be at its most significant. You may see results like:

• A smoothing of the lumpy appearance of cellulite
• A smooth contour where problem bulges used to be
• Tighter skin
• Reduced local fat bulges
• Reduction in the circumference of treatment area

Clients can expect to lose between .5 and 3 inches in circumference after treatment, with many even wearing a smaller clothing size depending on the area treated. Individual results vary. It’s recommended that once you reach your optimal results you come in for follow-up or maintenance treatments every one to three months depending on your body’s response to treatment.

What Can I Do to Maintain My Results?

People who follow a healthy lifestyle are best able to extend or maintain their results. Eating a diet low in fat, carbohydrates, and sugar while maintaining an exercise routine will help to keep you at a steady weight to avoid the expansion of your fat cells.

Like all non-surgical treatments, results are temporary unless you follow your doctor’s recommended routine of follow-up sessions. Clients consistent in scheduling these appointments enjoy the most seamless results.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

Only your doctor can decide if this is the right treatment for you. If you’re in generally good health and want to improve the appearance of cellulite while reducing fat bulges and the circumference of trouble areas, this could be the perfect match. This is designed to be safe for all skin types and tones.

This treatment is not designed to be a weight-loss tool. While you may lose circumference, you shouldn’t expect to lose a significant amount of weight. Talk to your doctor about the results you can expect.

Call for an Appointment

Why put off having the body contours you’ve always wanted? You should to look and feel your best no matter what your age or body type. Call Finesse Cosmetic Laser & Lipo Center in Waltham, MA to schedule your free initial consultation. We provide a comfortable and upscale setting for our clients and help them achieve the look they want and deserve.

Life takes a toll on the body. The most obvious sign of the time you’ve spent on this earth is skin laxity, loss of skin volume, and wrinkles. But you don’t need to let aging and gravity get you down. At Finesse Cosmetic Laser & Lipo Center in Waltham, MA, we are proud to provide our patients with an exhaustive array of skin tightening treatments.

Whether or not you are new to cosmetic treatments, the amount of treatments designed to tighten skin can be daunting. Our goal is to provide you with the most comprehensive care possible, and that starts with providing you with the best information to help you make a fully informed decision. Learn everything you need to know about treatments for tightening skin before contact our office for your initial consultation.

What Is a Skin Tightening Treatment?

A skin tightening treatment is an umbrella term for any treatment that works to correct lax skin on the face or body. There are several different techniques that can tighten skin, both surgical and non-surgical. The choice between surgical and non-surgical techniques is determined by patient preferences, patient health, and the desired outcome of the treatment.

Surgical

Surgical techniques to tighten skin are usually reserved for patients with greater deposits of excess fat and loose skin. Surgical techniques typically involve incisions, general anesthesia, and longer recovery times. On the other hand, surgical techniques also tend to last longer or can even be permanent.

Non-Surgical

Non-surgical techniques can be either minimally-invasive or non-invasive. It is common for non-surgical techniques to use injections, radiofrequency, ultrasound waves, or a combination of those methods to tighten skin. Many non-surgical techniques can last for a few years at a time.

The screening at your initial appointment will determine if you are a better candidate for surgical or non-surgical techniques. Surgical techniques for tightening skin have more restrictions than non-surgical techniques, including health conditions, medications you may be taking, and general lifestyle habits. Our goal is to help you select the treatment that is best suited to your needs.

Skin Tightening Treatments at Finesse Cosmetic Laser & Lipo Center

At our clinic, we offer a wide variety of treatments that tighten skin. For both face and body, there are multiple surgical and non-surgical treatment methods that you may choose from. A consultation at our clinic will help you determine which techniques are best for you and your specific needs. We will gladly help you create a personalized treatment plan so that you can look the way you want and love the way you look.

Skin Tightening Treatments for the Face

Our clinic specializes in several types of treatments for tightening skin on the face and neck. These treatments include:

Facelift

A facelift is a type of surgery that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and tightens sagging skin in the mid-face area. Facelifts improve your overall appearance by restoring skin to a more youthful-looking state. Facelifts are considered an anti-aging treatment that can last several years at a time.

Brow Lift

A brow lift is a surgical technique that lifts the skin in the forehead and brow area, specifically skin that sags over the eyes. Loose skin over the eyes can impede vision as well as add several years onto your appearance. Brow lifts are an anti-aging treatment that help correct the loose skin around the eyes and reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the forehead and crows feet around the eyes.

Affirm

Cynosure Affirm Anti-Aging is a revolutionary laser treatment that uses different heat levels to help restore a youthful appearance. Affirm is used to reduce wrinkles, soften acne scars, reduce enlarged pores, improve skin texture, correct sun damage, and tighten skin. As a newer treatment with growing popularity, Affirm is an all-in-one technique that addresses multiple skin concerns at one time.

Neck Lift

A neck lift is a surgical solution to lifting the excess skin in the neck and chin areas. Liposuction for submental fat, which is responsible for the dreaded double chin, is often combined with a neck lift. A neck lift addresses the skin laxity that affects many people during aging or after weight loss.

Ultherapy

Ultherapy is an innovative non-surgical, non-invasive treatment to tighten skin on the mid-to-lower face and neck regions. Ultherapy uses ultrasound waves and heat to increase collagen production, which in turns restores skin volume to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity. Ultherapy uses the body’s own regenerative abilities to restore a youthful appearance.

Skin Tightening Treatments for the Body

Our clinic offers different types of treatments for tightening the skin on the body, particularly in the abdominal region. These treatments include:

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck is a common surgical procedure used to tighten the skin and muscles in the abdomen. Loose skin in the abdominal region can be caused by weight loss, age, and childbirth. Tummy tucks are personalized to your exact needs and have relatively quick recovery times. Some tummy tucks are combined with liposuction to remove excess fat.

Breast Lift

A breast lift is a surgical solution to skin laxity found in the breasts, which is common in aging, after weight loss, and after breastfeeding. Breast lifts trim away the excess skin from loss of volume and lift the breasts into a higher position. Breast lifts tighten the appearance of breast tissue and skin to produce a more youthful, perky appearance. Breast lifts can last for years and even decades.

Smartlipo

Smartlipo is a laser-assisted liposuction technique that is designed for body contouring. Smartlipo is typically used by patients who want to melt unwanted fat and tighten skin in their abdominal region. Smartlipo can also be used to remove fat and produce tighter skin in the thighs and buttocks. Smartlipo is commonly used for both men and women.

VelaShape III

VelaShape III is a non-surgical body contouring technique that reduces cellulite, removes small fat deposits, and tightens skin. VelaShape can be used on multiple regions of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks. VelaShape has a quick recovery time and can last for a long time.

How Many Skin Tightening Treatments Do People Typically Have?

There is no hard and fast rule for how many skin tightening treatments patients can have because it really varies patient to patient. There is no standard formula for how many techniques every patient uses. The number of treatments used by patients is determined by the type of treatments they are using.

Combining Treatments

Some patients combine tightening techniques for face and body. For example, while you may want a tummy tuck for your abdomen, you may want to avoid surgical treatments for your face and use a different technique to tighten skin there.

Additionally, the techniques used for face and body often use specialized devices that can only be used on certain areas, and that means you will be using multiple techniques if you want to tighten skin in multiple areas.

Frequency of Treatments

The frequency of skin tightening treatment depends on two factors: the type of treatment being used and how well you respond to the treatment. As a general rule of thumb, invasive treatments last for several years at a time, while non-invasive treatments need maintenance one to three times a year.

It is typical for patients to return to the clinic for follow-up appointments to continue to see the desired results. Our compassionate, expert staff will help you determine the different types of techniques that are best for you as well as the frequency required to achieve your ideal appearance.

What to Expect

Many patients who are new to cosmetic treatments are comforted to know what will happen when they come to our clinic for a visit. Regardless of what treatment you plan to have, the process from start to finish is always the same. We have put together a general outline of what you can expect when you visit Finesse Cosmetic Laser & Lipo Center, from your initial consultation to recovery and every step along the way.

Initial Appointment

Your first appointment is a free consultation. At your consultation, our expert staff will answer any questions you have about the cosmetic treatments we offer at our clinic. We will ask you to identify your targeted problem areas and walk you through the treatment options we have available to address your concerns. Our goal is to help you find the treatment that works best for your needs and your lifestyle.

If you are prepared to set an appointment for a particular treatment, your consultation may include a gathering of information to put into your patient file. We may ask you for your general medical history, any surgeries you have had in the past, your current medical issues, and medications you are currently taking. For certain treatments, we may also ask about drug allergies or future plans that may impact treatment, such as intentions to have children.

Treatment

Your treatment sessions will be determined by your treatment plans. For any non-surgical treatment you have, you can expect to spend between 30 to 90 minutes at your appointment. Surgical treatments usually last between 3 and 8 hours, depending on how much work needs to be completed.

Pre-Treatment Guidelines

Before your treatment, we may provide you with a list of pre-treatment guidelines. These guidelines are created for your health and safety to prepare you for your treatment. Some guidelines that are common include avoiding certain foods, avoiding alcohol, and temporarily avoiding certain over-the-counter medications or supplements unless otherwise specified by a doctor. You may also be asked to avoid using certain products that may interact with the products used for your treatment.

Depending on the treatment you plan to have, you may be asked to arrange for transportation. We will let you know the specifics at your appointment.

Post-Treatment Guidelines

After your treatment, you will be given a list of post-treatment guidelines that need to be followed so you can have a good recovery from your treatment. Common post-treatment guidelines include instructions for washing treatment sites, advice on how to manage discomfort, and a list of products to avoid, such as certain foods, supplements, and medications.

Recovery and Results

Your expected recovery depends on the type of treatment you select. Non-surgical recovery generally has little to no downtime with a quick return to normal daily activities. Most patients recover from non-surgical treatments within 3 to 7 days following the treatment.

Most patients are recovered from surgical treatments within 2 to 4 weeks following the treatment. Results are usually immediately noticeable after swelling from the treatment has reduced.

Ideal Candidates

Ideal candidates for treatments to tighten skin include both men and women who have noticed a greater skin laxity on their face or body. Candidates who are interested in treatments to tighten skin include those who want to reduce the appearance of:

• Sagging or loose skin
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Cellulite
• Acute skin volume loss

Learn More

If you think that treatment for tightening the skin on your face or body is right for you, contact Finesse Cosmetic Laser & Lipo Center in Waltham, MA to schedule your initial appointment. Our expert staff will be glad to answer any questions you have about our treatments at the time of your appointment. We look forward to the opportunity to have you as a patient at our clinic.

If you want a facelift but dread the idea of going under the knife, then you might be interested to learn about a new kind of facelift. Ultherapy is a quick and painless non-invasive facelift that uses new technology recently approved by the FDA. For those in the Boston area, the experts at Finesse Cosmetic Laser and Lipo offer this treatment in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Curious about Ultherapy? Learn everything you need to know about this cutting-edge treatment before you schedule a visit at Finesse!

What Is Ultherapy?

You can think of this treatment as a facelift without chemicals and scalpels. This simple, 60-minute treatment lifts and tightens the skin on the face and neck areas without any need for extended recovery time. Overall, this treatment is gentle, non-invasive, and extremely effective for most patients. Plus, unlike other treatments, Ultherapy continues to work over time and there is less need for continued treatments. This treatment is basically a one-and-done sort of deal.

How Does It Work?

This treatment utilizes ultrasound technology to tighten and tone skin. By using a small specialized ultrasound wand, our expert technicians can see the layers of tissue beneath the skin surface during treatment. With a view like that, we can deliver the treatment to target areas or areas that need more attention so that the treatment is as effective as possible.

But the unique ultrasound view is only one part of the equation. This treatment also uses heat to stimulate blood flow and the production of new collagen. As you might know, collagen is the key to youthful, glowing skin, and the best way to stimulate collagen production is through the circulation of blood. As we age, we produce less collagen and the blood flow to our face is less productive. This treatment addresses both issues in one fell swoop, using heat to encourage both increased blood and the turnover of new collagen.

How Is It Different From Other Treatments?

Say good-bye more needles, lasers, chemicals, or other invasive and painful facelift procedures! This ultrasound treatment assists the natural processes of our bodies in order to tone skin for a more youthful appearance. But more importantly, this treatment doesn’t just treat superficial skin problems.

Ultherapy is revolutionary for more than one reason, but its most distinct benefit is the fact that this treatment addresses the real causes of skin aging. While lasers treat the upper surface layers of skin to deal with pigmentation and wrinkles, this special ultrasound treatment targets the deeper skin layers. These deep skin layers, or foundational layers, are where supports for skin – like collagen – are found. This therapy goes directly to the foundational layers to fix issues at the source, but without the invasiveness that cosmetic procedures typically use.

Does This Treatment Replace Cosmetic Surgery?

While different and more natural than facelifts done with cosmetic surgery, it is important to note that this treatment is not a replacement for traditional procedures. You can think of this treatment as an alternative and gentler option for those with moderate aging concerns. To be sure, cosmetic surgery facelifts show a more drastic result, but those kinds of procedures are also more risky, more complicated, and have more recovery time. With this treatment, you can attain a gradual, natural-looking lift without any downtime.

Is It Safe?

You would be right to assume that this treatment is safer than many other treatments that are currently available. As a general rule, non-invasive treatments are always going to be more comfortable and less risky than invasive procedures. However, with less risk comes less reward, which is why patients who undergo non-invasive treatments tend to come back for follow-up treatments. But this ultrasound treatment is a little different. While non-invasive, the sheer efficiency of this treatment means that follow-up appointments are few and far apart.

As to the safety of the treatment, it is a fact that medicine has been using ultrasound technology for over 50 years without any problems. Ultrasounds are low on radiation and do not cause any side effects, and this ultrasound facial lift treatment is the same. Additionally, this treatment has been approved by the FDA, after numerous clinical studies, as a safe, effective treatment.

Who Are Ideal Candidates?

The ideal candidate for this treatment is anyone who has found that their skin is less firm than they would like. As a broad stroke, candidates for this treatment might notice that they are developing fine lines, wrinkles, relaxed or loose skin, bags beneath the eyes, or noticeable thinness in the skin on their neck and decolletage area. This treatment is ideal for those who have moderate skin laxity.

There are no age limitations for this treatment. Even for those in their thirties, this treatment can be used to stay ahead and fight against early aging. This treatment can address many age-related concerns regardless of your actual age. After all, anti-aging treatments are for all aging populations.

Ideal candidates for this treatment also include those who do not want invasive cosmetic procedures or those who do not want other invasive facelift treatments. Compared to surgeries, lasers, and even Botox, this treatment is considerably more affordable and less physically taxing. This treatment is a good mid-way for those who want a lift without undergoing a costly and intense procedure.

Where Should You Concentrate the Treatment?

Concentrating this treatment on specific parts of the face, neck, and collarbone is done on a case-by-case basis. Depending on where signs of aging are showing and which parts of your skin you want to tighten, every patient can customize this treatment to fit their needs.

This treatment is perfect for…

• Tightening brows
• Lifting eyes
• Toning chin and neck area
• Improving fine lines and wrinkles

Often the first real signs of aging are around the eyes, with a lowered brow line, sagging eyelids, and crows feet. For eye-related aging concerns, this treatment can be used to target the delicate areas around the eye to tone the skin and return a youthful appearance. Another place where concentrating this treatment is a good idea is the area around the jaw and upper neck, where skin loosens with age. The jawline, cheeks, and neck are often major signs of aging, but they can be reversed or improved with the use of this ultrasound treatment.

Whether you have a single area of concern or many areas of concern, this treatment can effectively address each one in a single visit. A consultation prior to your treatment appointment will help you identify target areas and outline your specific treatment plan.

Can This Treatment Be Used Elsewhere?

This treatment is approved by the FDA to treat the face, neck, and chest area. However, some clinics have used this treatment to tighten skin in other areas of the body, such as underarms and in the abdomen. Using this treatment as a non-invasive tummy-tuck solution is common in other clinics. If you are interested in a non-invasive tummy-tuck solution at our office, we will be happy to discuss approved alternatives to help you meet your goals.

How Long Do the Effects of Ultherapy Last?

Depending on your body’s specific biological processes, response to this treatment can vary from patient to patient. Generally, the effects of this treatment last about 6 months or so, which is around the time when collagen production will return to its natural state and signs of aging will again become noticeable. For those with moderate signs of aging, this treatment can last between 4 to 6 months, while those with mild aging see effects for 6 months or more.

The length of this treatment’s effectiveness depends on how the body responds to the treatment. The slowing production of collagen is determined by your genetics and overall response to the treatment. Generally, the treatment effects last a bit longer for those whose collagen production has not drastically slowed down.

How Quick Are Results?

You can see the results of this treatment on the same day of your appointment. The immediate visual signs of the treatment include tightened skin and a rosy, glowing complexion. However, this treatment really hits its stride between 2 and 3 months following your appointment, where the collagen production is at its height. This treatment shows results from the first day and continues to lift and tighten over time, or until the stimulated collagen production naturally slows again.

Do You Need Multiple Treatments?

For most patients, a single appointment will be effective to fight against signs of aging for at least 6 months. There is usually no need for additional appointments immediately following the first treatment. For most patients, it is enough to receive another treatment after the effects of the first wear off, which typically means at least two treatments a year.

However, if the skin laxity is more severe, or if there are multiple significant target areas, it is possible that your technician will advise you to group two treatments together for more robust effectiveness. Determining whether you need multiple treatments within a single time frame will be determined during the outlining of your treatment plan.

How Long Does the Treatment Take?

The length of time to perform this treatment depends on the amount of area that is being addressed, but most treatments can be done in as little as an hour. For partial treatments on the face, appointments can take around 30 minutes or less to complete. For full face and neck treatments, the appointment can take from 45 to 60 minutes. This is a treatment that can be done during a lunch hour or between errands.

What Is Recovery Time?

Recovery time for this treatment is very short – near non-existent, in fact. There is no downtime associated with this treatment. Some patients find that they experience some slight redness, tingling, or tenderness in the hours immediately following the treatment, but these side-effects are temporary and go away on their own.

While some patients are able to return to their normal daily activities following the treatment, others take a day off and return to their normal activity level the following day. Outside of the time necessary for the temporary side effects to subsist, there is no prolonged recovery time or limitations following this treatment.

Renew Your Skin

Ready to use your skin’s own regenerative responses to tighten, tone, and lift skin with a treatment that will gradually strengthen skin from within? The expert staff at Finesse Cosmetic Laser and Lipo are fully trained to deliver this specialized treatment. If you want to regain your youthful appearance with this cutting-edge, non-invasive treatment, contact Finesse Cosmetic Laser and Lipo in Waltham, MA to schedule your initial consultation today!