With each year that passes, the collagen production that keeps your skin firm and hydrated decreases, leaving your skin prone to sagging and more likely to develop wrinkles and fine lines.
One of the best ways to diminish these signs of aging is to get to the root of the problem: the lost collagen. That’s what laser skin tightening treatments like Forma do.
At ALC Medspa, we offer Forma skin tightening and body contouring treatments to help you improve the way you look and feel. Learn more about Forma and the benefits it offers.
What Is Laser Skin Tightening?
Laser skin tightening is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure that helps firm your skin. The laser’s heat stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, two proteins vital for your skin’s health.
There are two main types of laser skin tightening treatments: ablative and non-ablative.
Ablative lasers penetrate the skin and work by causing damage to the existing collagen. This stimulates your skin to start creating new collagen, which can result in your skin looking tighter.
Non-ablative lasers heat the skin without destroying collagen. The action stimulates the production of new collagen without harming the existing material. For people with darker skin, non-ablative lasers tend to be the better choice.
What Is Forma?
Forma is a non-ablative laser skin tightening and body contouring treatment that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy and heat to help with skin laxity.
The radiofrequency energy helps stimulate collagen and elastin while also contracting the layers of your skin.
Some of the most common concerns it treats include:
- Lines on the neck
- Crow’s feet
- Forehead lines
- Under-eye bags
- Smile lines
The best candidates for Forma are people in good overall health who have realistic expectations and don’t want to undergo surgical procedures to achieve results. It is an appropriate choice for most skin types and tones.
People who are not good candidates for laser skin tightening include those who:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have active infections
- Have skin cancer
- Have connective tissue disorders
- Have autoimmune diseases
- Use certain acne medications
- Have a history of scarring
During our consultation, we will make sure that you’re a good candidate and offer alternative treatments if you aren’t.
Benefits of Forma
One of the reasons Forma is one of the best skin tightening treatment options is because it has a thermal temperature sensor built into the handpiece. This sensor allows us to get readings of your skin temperature in real time.
Forma also has a cutoff temperature that reduces the RF temperature immediately and automatically when the sensor in the handpiece marks the desired skin temperature.
Forma is suitable for most skin types, unlike other laser options.
Because the procedure is non-invasive, you don’t have to worry about downtime. It is also a treatment option that offers gradual, natural results because it uses your body’s own regenerative processes. The results are also long-lasting.
How to Prepare for Forma
Before you arrange your first Forma session, we will schedule a consultation to make sure that it’s the right option for you.
We will get your full medical history and see what your goals and expectations are. Let us know of any medications you take and of any cosmetic procedures you’ve undergone in the past.
There’s not much you have to do to prepare for your Forma treatment, though we do ask that you stop taking blood-thinning medications and supplements, such as ibuprofen, fish oil, St. John’s Wort, aspirin, or vitamin E.
We also recommend that you stay out of the sun for at least a couple of weeks before receiving the laser treatment because tanned skin is more sensitive.
You also want to avoid abrasive skin procedures like microdermabrasion and chemical peels.
What to Expect from the Procedure
We ask that you come to your appointment with a clean face. This means no makeup, lotions, or creams.
Before beginning the procedure, we will apply a cooling gel to the treatment area. We will then apply the handheld device to the predetermined area. Once we finish, we will remove the gel and apply a moisturizer to your skin.
The procedure can last 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size and number of treatment areas.
Aftercare and Results
After receiving treatment, you can return to most of your activities. We do suggest that you avoid spending time in the sun until your skin heals because it will be more sensitive than normal. You also want to use gentle skin care products for a few days. For the first couple of days, apply only minimal makeup.
We also recommend that you avoid intense heat, like what you would find in a sauna, hot tub, or even in a bath.
Many people start seeing results about two weeks after receiving their first Forma session, with more improvements appearing as your body creates more collagen. For the best results, we recommend three to six sessions.
Turn to Experts in Gurnee, IL
If you want to diminish signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging skin without traditional surgical procedures, turning to a laser skin tightening option like Forma could be the solution to help you achieve your goals.
At ALC Medspa in Gurnee, IL, we offer numerous non-invasive and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures to help you get the aesthetic results you want. We provide some of the best medspa services in the area, and we work closely with each of our patients to customize their treatments.
Contact us today and request a consultation to learn more about our services.
