Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Facial Skin Tightening Options

Collagen and elastin are among the most common proteins in our skin, but their levels decline over time. Without its structural support, your skin can become looser and start to sag. Individuals seeking facial skin tightening have several options, and your team at the Lanfranchi Center will help you find one that meets your needs.

What are My Options for Skin Tightening?

Ways to tighten and smooth your facial skin fall into two categories. Non-surgical treatments, including fractional CO2 lasers, work by creating tiny channels that increase collagen production within your skin. Surgical treatments, such as the TLC Lift™, use hidden incisions to lift and tighten the skin in different areas. The Lanfranchi Center offers both types of treatment. 

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Facial Skin Tightening Options

Choosing between surgical and non-surgical ways to tighten your skin means comparing what you can expect from each and which one better suits your needs. 

What Do They Treat?

Non-surgical treatments can address mild to moderate skin laxity as well as textural issues like acne scars. The new collagen can help aging skin look smoother and more even. A surgical skin tightening can treat significant sagging, wrinkles, and drooping jowls. 

What is Treatment Like?

CO2 laser skin tightening can be customized to your comfort level, and treatment usually takes less than an hour. You may feel tingling, heat, or the sensation of a rubber band snapping on the skin with stronger settings. 

A surgical procedure can take less than an hour or up to several hours, depending on the details and procedures included. Dr. Lanfranchi performs all his procedures using local anesthesia with oral sedation as needed so that you will remain comfortable but not asleep. 

How Long is the Recovery?

Non-surgical skin tightening often results in a few days of redness, sensitivity, and minor peeling or flaking. You can return to most activities as soon as you feel comfortable. Recovery after a surgical procedure varies from a few days to about two weeks. 

When Will I See the Results?

New collagen takes about three months to develop after CO2 laser treatment, although you may start to see results after a few weeks. You will notice changes immediately after a surgical procedure, although they will look different until the swelling fades. 

How Long Will My Results Last?

The results of facial skin tightening with a laser can last up to a few years, and you can have a maintenance treatment as needed. Surgical results can last for many years, but your skin will continue to age so that you will experience changes over time. 

Am I a Candidate for Surgical Or Non-Surgical Skin Tightening?

If you want to see improvements in your skin’s texture, firmness, and overall youthful glow, CO2 laser skin tightening may be an ideal option for you. If you want to address lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, or drooping jowls, you may be a good candidate for surgical skin tightening. 

Take The First Step – Request A Consultation

Ready to learn more about surgical and non-surgical skin tightening? The first step is to come in for an in-person consultation with Dr. Lanfranchi. Please fill out the form on this page to request a consultation or call our office directly at (702 )929-3880 during normal business hours (please leave a message if we are unable to answer). The Lanfranchi Center serves the Las Vegas and Henderson, NV areas.