The Skin Center
The Skin Center
Radio Frequency Skin Tightening
Radio Frequency Skin Tightening
Radiofrequency (RF) therapy, also called radiofrequency skin tightening, is a nonsurgical method of tightening your skin.
The procedure involves using energy waves to heat the deep layer of your skin known as your dermis. This heat stimulates the production of collagen.
Collagen is the most common protein in your body. It creates the framework of your skin and gives your skin its firmness.
As you age, your cells produce less collagen, which leads to sagging skin and wrinkles. Skin laxity occurs around age 35 to 40 when the quantity and quality of your collagen begins to decline.
RF therapy has been used since 2001 to fight against sagging skin and signs of aging. In this article, we’re going to look at how this cosmetic therapy works and what potential benefits it has for your skin.
How Radio Frequency Skin Tightening Works
How Radio Frequency Skin Tightening Works
Each type of technology works the same way. RF waves heat the deep layer of your skin to between 122 and 167°F (50–75°C).
StudiesTrusted Source have found that maintaining a temperature over 115°F (46°C) for over 3 minutes causes your body to release heat-shock proteins. These proteins stimulate your body to create new collagen fibers.
The procedure normally takes less than an hour and should be nearly painless.
Benefits
Benefits
The primary benefits of RF therapy are tightening your skin and getting rid of wrinkles.
However, RF therapy may also help fight sun damage due to its ability stimulate the production of collagen.
Risks and Side Effects
Risks and Side Effects
If the procedure is incorrectly performed, it’s possible to get burned.
The most common side effects include:
temporary swelling
redness
tingling
People with darker skin are at a higher risk of side effects from laser and RF treatments.
The form of RF radiation used during this procedure is similar to the type of radiation emitted from other common household devices like cell phones or WiFi.
Although the long-term effects of low energy radiation isn’t entirely known, there hasn’t been any conclusive evidence at this time that suggests that RF radiation poses a health risk to people.
Treatment Areas
Treatment Areas
Areas that can be treated include:
- Face
- Chin
- Chest
- Arms
- Abdomen
- Back
- Stomach
- Flanks
- Thighs