BU Cosmetic & Laser Center

Services

Laser Procedures – Skin Tightening

There are two types of devices at our clinic designed to treat loose or sagging skin on the face. Both are effective. They operate by different technology. At our office the GentleMAX™ treatment is performed by our licensed registered laser hair removal technician where as the Aluma device is performed by a physician.

Aluma™ Skin Tightening Treatments
Aluma™ is a non-invasive radiofrequency device designed to help tighten the skin. This procedure is not intended to be a replacement for a facelift, but it will give a subtle tightening of the skin. Patients like this treatment because there is very little downtime and minimal pain involved.

How does the Aluma™ treatment work?
Aluma™ is a simple 20 minute treatment to tighten loose skin on the face particularly skin on the lower face that hangs below the jaw line, known as jowls. No numbing medicine is needed prior to the Aluma™ treatment and has very little recovery time as no injections or cutting of the skin is needed. When the vacuum-assisted hand piece is applied to the skin it exerts a negative pressure, or suction, on the skin. While the skin is being sucked into the device it also gives off a warm or pinching sensation. The heat generated from this device causes the old damaged collagen to break down. New collagen that is more robust is then formed making the skin tighter and more youthful. Patients often notice immediate tightening of the skin just after the Aluma™ procedure. This tightening effect will continue to improve over the next several months. Multiple Aluma™ treatments, performed at least one month apart, will give optimal results.

Are there side effects after an Aluma™ treatment?
Patients will sometimes notice that their skin is pink or maybe even bruised right after a treatment. This will fade over the next 1 to 3 days. Makeup may be applied to the skin immediately after treatment.

Aluma™ Skin Tightening Video

GentleMAX Nd:YAG® Skin Tightening
With the new GentleMAX Nd:YAG® skin tightening treatment, a non-surgical procedure, you can reduce loose, sagging skin .

How does the GentleMAX™ treatment work?
The GentleMAX™ laser treatment creates a beam of high-intensity light that penetrates deep into skin tissue. Technology protects the upper layers of your skin with a cooling burst of cooling spray. The number of GentleMAX™ treatments depends on the condition of your skin, usually 4-6 sessions on average. A GentleMAX™ treatment usually takes between 30 to 45 minutes. Some patients may feel a slight discomfort with each laser pulse, sometimes described as the snapping of a rubber band on the skin. This discomfort resolves in several seconds. For all patients a topical anesthetic is used prior to treatment. Be sure to discuss this with your practitioner.

Are there side effects after a GentleMAX™ laser treatment?
Your risks are minimal. Most patients experience a pink glow with a mild sunburn sensation after treatment with the GentleMAX™ laser.