Any dermatologist will tell you that the best way to achieve firm, youthful-looking skin is to avoid smoking, sun-tanning and alcohol. Complete avoidance of these things may not be realistic for many of us, or maybe we are already seeing the damage from past indulgences! What can we do to achieve a tighter, younger complexion?

It is still advisable to quit smoking, cut back on alcohol and trade in your sun-tanning time for a bottle of good self-tanning lotion. In addition, you should wash your skin with a gentle cleanser, apply moisturizer and sunblock, and get plenty of sleep. If you desire additional help to restore that youthful glow, here are four professional treatments that can help get you there.

Skin Tyte™ – This is an infrared light energy treatment that incorporates advanced cooling technology. Skin Tyte selectively delivers heat below your skin’s surface to make collagen contract so tissue is tightened. It simultaneously cools your outer layer of skin to reduce pain and minimize thermal injury.

Triniti™ –This is actually a combination of three separate procedures bundled into one anti-aging treatment: ReFirme skin tightening is complemented by Fotofacial color correction and Matrix IR fractional wrinkle reduction. The treatments, typically spaced four weeks apart, are comprised of both laser light energy and radio frequency technologies. The trinity procedure has become popular with celebrities like Madonna, Kris Kardashian and others as a way to maintain youthful skin.

Thermage® – Using radio frequency to induce collagen growth, Thermage can restore youthful contours to your face by tightening the loose skin around your eyes, chin and neck. This procedure takes an hour or less.

Titan™ – Infrared light is used to uniformly heat deeper layers of facial skin to stimulate tightening of the underlying collagen. The heat may cause some redness and swelling, but that will subside after treatment. The procedure takes an hour, and full benefits may take a few months to occur as collagen increases.

Effective skin tightening procedures are designed to firm up your skin and can often take 10-15 years off your face. Also known as “non-surgical face lifts,” the following skin tightening procedures have become very popular because they involve low risk and a very little downtime post-treatment.

You might think it’s too early to think about bikini season, but in order to look your best come next summer, you need to plan ahead. The following three procedures can give you a drastic bikini bod makeover, but since it will take you six months to see the full effects, you need to start the process right now.

#1: Book a Thermage Treatment

Cellulite is the number one reason we fear beach season, but as little as one simple, non-invasive Thermage treatment six months before summer can drastically tighten skin and minimize the appearance of cellulite. So, how does it work?

• Thermage uses radio frequency pulses to heat and activate collagen production in the skin, which is effective against sagging and bulging skin and yields a tighter, less dimpled appearance.


• Thermage can performed on the majority of the body, including the face, abdomen, arms, buttocks and thighs.


• The skin tightening effect of Thermage can last for up to three years, while the smoothing of dimples from cellulite can last from six to 12 months after the results have set in.


• Thermage treatments are performed in a plastic surgeon's office, on an outpatient basis.


• Thermage can soften the appearance of scars.


• Although visible results will likely be immediate, measurable tightening and contouring will continue to appear after the initial treatment session.

Thus, for optimal results, Thermage treatments should be done about two to six months in advance.

#2: Get an IPL Photofacial

Beach season means lots of sun, but over time sun damage can cause major skin problems, so before you hit the sand, freshen up your complexion with a IPL Photofacial. How the IPL Photofacial works:

• An intense pulsed light to penetrate the layers of the skin, resulting in the production of collagen and new connective tissues.


• IPL Photofacial is proven effective at treating rosacea, age spots, wrinkles, veins, and skin that has been damaged by the sun's UV rays.

A few treatments might be recommended (usually a series of five to eight); however, IPL Photofacial results can be considered permanent, though touch-ups may be necessary every few years.

Since treatments are generally spaced three weeks apart, you should start scheduling your appointments now. And once you do hit the beach, be sure to always wear a broad spectrum sunscreen so your clear skin results can last longer.

#3: Laser Hair Removal from Arms/Legs/Bikini Line

And lastly, what says bikini-ready more than a smooth, hairfree body? Rather than deal with the hassle of constant shaving, many people look to laser hair removal for a permanent solution. Here’s how it works:

• Prior to beginning the laser treatment, the targeted area of skin will be thoroughly washed using alcohol.


• Once the technician has determined the necessary laser light energy settings for your skin type, the laser beam will be aimed at the hair follicles within the treatment region.


• The hair follicles absorb the laser's energy causing them to die. Depending on the area being treated, the procedure can last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.


• Though laser hair removal should not be unusually painful, it is common to experience mild to moderate discomfort.


• In order to be effective, laser hair removal requires five to nine sessions, spaced approximately six weeks apart. With each subsequent session, a certain percentage of hair is removed until the skin ultimately becomes hair free. Hair is destroyed at the roots and once the hair is completely gone, the skin pores close giving way to sexy, smooth skin.

Three simple procedures, three great results. All it takes is a little planning, and you too can have a beach-ready body by the time the weather heats up. For more information on any of the aforementioned cosmetic procedures and to find a cosmetic specialist in your area, click here.

With the multitude of skin products out there, it can be overwhelming to try and find the best solution for your cosmetic concerns. Over the next few weeks look for the DermaNetwork Blog's 'Treatment Spotlight' segment, where treatments ranging from the brand new to tried-and-true are featured and explained.



First up, meet Thermage, a great alternative to a facelift for those who are looking for natural-looking, progressive results and a treatment process that fits easily into a busy lifestyle.



Thermage is a non-surgical skin tightening procedure that effectively addresses the signs of aging in the face.  Thermage is used to smooth out wrinkles, tighten the skin, and redefine facial contours using heat technology--without any going 'under the knife.'  During the Thermage procedure, heat is applied to the area being treated using radio frequency energy, delivered via a specially designed device.  During the healing process, collagen rebuilds itself and tightens the skin over time--leaving you with skin that's firm, supple, and has a healthy glow. You results will be progressive, meaning that an initial subtle improvement will be visible right away, and improve over time as the collagen beneath the skin's surface continues to tighten.



Many people choose Thermage because unlike other skin rejuventation procedures, with Thermage you can see immediate results.  Patients also love that it is a virtually painless, non-invasive procedure that requires little-to-no recovery time. 



Areas that Thermage works best on include:

•    Fine line and wrinkles on the face

•    Jowls

•    Sagging skin on the neck

•    Sagging skin in the brow area



If you're interested in learning more about Thermage or other age-defying skin treatments, talk to a skin care specialist today.