Having great skin turns heads. It’s a remarkable feature that nearly everyone desires, but many struggle to achieve. Today, in-office treatments to tighten and firm skin outpace even those for hair removal. But what’s the best way to get a great skin look without going under the knife? Let’s find out the best functional medicine treatments for tightening skin. We’ll talk about microneedling and PRX-T33, plus add-ons like facials and anti-aging masks that minimize lines, plump skin, and shrink the look of pores.
If you’re looking to achieve a more youthful appearance, read on!
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What’s the best treatment for skin tightening?
If you’re looking for a non-surgical skin tightening treatment that is both effective and safe, you’ll want to focus on non-invasive methods that are both well-studied in clinical practice, like:
- Microneedling
- Chemical and non-chemical peels (GlySal, Enzyme)
- Microdermabrasion
- Dermaplaning
- Stem cell masks
- PRX-T33
- LED treatment
Effective non surgical skin tightening procedures work primarily by boosting collagen production and elastin activity—two proteins that help our skin stay plump, firm and smooth.
As we age, production of collagen and elastin slows down, resulting in areas of lax, uneven, or crepey skin on the face, neck, and body. Non-surgical treatments to tighten the skin can temporarily halt skin laxity and firm sagging skin to restore a more youthful appearance.
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Benefits of non-surgical skin tightening treatments
- Treatments themselves are generally under an hour and require very little downtime
- Some treatments result in tighter skin or smoother skin relatively soon after treatment
- Leaves skin intact and without surgery or scarring
- Very low risk of adverse effects compared to cosmetic surgery, fillers, or Botox (1)
- Usually less expensive than traditional cosmetic surgery
Browse skin firming spa treatments—perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself!
What else to consider
- More than one treatment session is usually needed to achieve and maintain results, which appear over the course of weeks to months
- Not effective on more advanced skin laxity, such as significant excess skin following pregnancy or weight loss
Learn more about the latest in Anti-Aging Functional Medicine
Skin tightening treatments we love at CentreSpringMD
Microneedling
Microneedling, or Collagen Induction Therapy, is a non-invasive skin tightening treatment that uses tiny needles to stimulate collagen production. It’s often used to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as acne scars. This treatment can be done on the face, neck, and body.
This treatment is great to start with in your 30s and 40s to be proactive about the appearance of fine lines and wrinkle depth, or if you want to reduce acne scarring and pore size.
Most people get microneedling on their face, but you can also get it on your legs, back, neck or other areas where you notice damaged or aging skin.
Microneedling is most effective with regular treatments, One study found that a series of 4 microneedling treatments of facial skin, spaced 4 weeks apart, significantly improved lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, and skin texture, 90 and 150 days after the first treatment (2).
Microneedling can improve the appearance of:
- Enlarged pores
- Fine lines or wrinkles
- Loose or crepey (thin and wrinkled) skin
- Mild scars, especially those from acne or burns
- Skin discoloration or uneven skin tone
- Stretch marks
The procedure can also help people who have medical conditions such as:
- Alopecia areata (hair loss due to an autoimmune disease)
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Microneedling is a favorite of those who wish to delay or avoid more involved skin treatments such as Botox.
Want to stay ahead of fine lines and wrinkles? Schedule a microneedling appointment today!
How does microneedling work?
Microneedling involves repeatedly puncturing the skin with tiny, sterile needles, which create a “micro-injury” in the skin. Your body responds to these micro-injuries by increasing collagen and elastin production (3). These are proteins that keep the skin looking smooth and firm as they fill in fine lines and plump wrinkles. Despite its name, don’t worry, microneedling is not a painful process.
What to expect during this treatment
Your healthcare provider cleans your skin and applies a numbing cream or ointment about 30 minutes to 45 minutes prior to your procedure.
Next, your healthcare provider uses a hand-held roller or an electric tool and rolls it slowly and gently across your skin. If they use an electric device, tiny needles pulse up and down to gently penetrate the skin.
Longer or shorter needles give your provider the opportunity to go deeper into your skin, to address acne scars or deeper wrinkles. You might feel warmth or a scratching sensation on your face during treatment, and a mild discomfort on bony surfaces, such as along your cheekbones.
A microneedling procedure can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours, depending on the size of the area being treated.
PRX Treatment
Look years younger without Botox. PRX-T33 is a revolutionary skin tightening treatment great for correcting stretch marks, sagging skin, or scars (4). According to one study, PRX-T33 provides “rapid and consistent improvement” to hyperpigmentation, photodamage, and signs of aging. This helps patients improve skin texture, tighten loose skin, and achieve a more youthful appearance.
This treatment can reduce or eliminate the need for more invasive treatments such as Botox or fillers. It’s a painless topical treatment suitable for all skin types that helps to strengthen the radiance and brightness of the skin.
This “non-peeling peel” is great for those with darker Fitzpatrick types and darker skin tones. PRX is effective to restore a youthful look without the associated risks of post-inflammatory skin changes like hyperpigmentation.
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PRX-T33 can also be applied to all skin including the arms, legs, and abdomen
PRX stimulates the skin’s regenerative process, and can improve the look of:
- Sagging skin
- Sagging breast skin
- Stretch marks
- Appearance of skin aging
- Acne scars
- Photodamage from the sun
- Lines and wrinkles
- Dilated pores
- Dull skin
- Skin tone
This treatment is non-photosensitizing so it can be used in the summer months whereas other treatments, such as chemical peels, may limit your time outdoors. PRX-T33 results in no down time, redness or irritation, while other TCA peels may cause significant redness, flaking skin, and irritation.
How does PRX work?
PRX-T33 combines the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 33% TCA, and 5% kojic acid. Hydrogen peroxide transforms an aggressive peel into a non-invasive product that still regenerates the deeper skin layers, called the dermis.
What to expect during this treatment
During treatment, PRX-T33 is applied to clean, dry skin and massaged evenly over the desired area. The effects of a single treatment can last up to one month while a series of 4 or more spaced about 1 week apart can last up to 6-12 months.
Get started with PRX-T33 at CentreSpringMD
Are skin firming treatments safe?
The majority of skin tightening procedures are safe when performed by a licensed esthetician. For patients wanting to turn back the hands of time without disruptions to their daily activities, minimally invasive treatments are ideal—there is no surgery, no anesthesia, no scars, and no downtime.
How should you care for your skin after treatment
You may need to temporarily apply more topical moisturizer than normal, and be sure to wear a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 40+.
Related: 3 Steps Every Skincare Routine Needs
Other treatments to benefit skin tone, texture, and firmness
- Hydrafacial – The Hydrafacial is a medical-grade facial that uses patented technology to cleanse, exfoliate, extract, and hydrate. The result is instantly noticeable – plump, hydrated skin with a radiant complexion.
- Oxygen Facial – An oxygen facial delivers oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells, resulting in firmer, smoother, and more youthful skin.
- LED Light Therapy – LED therapy uses different wavelength light to target specific skin concerns. Blue light is used to kill acne-causing bacteria, while red light reduces inflammation and stimulates collagen production.
- Dermaplaning – A manual exfoliation technique that uses a sterile surgical blade to “shave” the skin. Dermaplaning removes dead skin cells, peach fuzz, and other debris to leave the skin smooth, bright, and primed for better absorption of skincare products.
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How to tighten skin naturally
Avoid food and drinks that damage skin – A healthy diet is essential for overall health, including skin health. Excess sugars and processed foods contribute to inflammation and free-radical production that can accelerate signs of aging on the skin.
Repair and prevent damage – Sun damage, pollution, and other environmental aggressors can take a toll on the skin. Be sure to use products that contain antioxidants and other nutrients to help repair and prevent further damage.
Support your skin with collagen – Collagen is a protein that helps to keep the skin looking firm and youthful. Collagen supplements can help to support the skin and improve its appearance.
Look at your hormones – Hormonal imbalances can cause a variety of skin concerns, including redness, acne, premature aging, and dryness. If you suspect that your hormones are out of balance, see a functional medicine doctor for hormone testing.
Address your genetics – Some genetic variants, such as MTHFR, reduce the body’s ability to neutralize free radicals. Free radicals contribute to oxidative damage that’s implicated in dozens of health conditions, but also in the aging process (5). Accumulation of oxidative damage in the skin may appear as dryness, hyperpigmentation, or a lack of skin elasticity.
Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet – A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is good for overall health, including the skin. Fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients like lutein and zeaxanthin that can improve the tone and elasticity of skin (6).
Get enough sleep – Sleep is important for overall health, including the skin. When you don’t get enough sleep, it can show up in the form of dark circles under the eyes, dull skin, and wrinkles.
More youthful skin with functional medicine
The best way to achieve and maintain healthy, youthful skin is with a comprehensive approach that includes a healthy diet, proper skincare, and minimally-invasive treatments. By combining these three things, you can achieve beautiful, healthy skin that looks and feels great.
Resources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23060707/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6122507/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976400/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34658706/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568163719301746
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5063591/
