TITAN Skin Tightening

TITAN skin tightening is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment that uses infrared laser energy to tighten and lift the skin by stimulating collagen production. The procedure can smooth and tighten loose skin on various parts of the body including the face, neck, buttocks, abdomen, legs and arms. TITAN can provide more youthful looking skin without the need for anesthetics, injections or incisions.

Am I a Good Candidate for TITAN Skin Tightening?

GOOD CANDIDATES for TITAN skin tightening are:

• Any patient looking to tighten moderately loose skin on the jowls, cheeks, neck or forehead
• Patients looking for a non-invasive method for skin tightening
• Patients who are not capable of having radiofrequency treatments due to having a pacemaker, metal implants or internal defibrillator
• Patients in good health that have good skin elasticity
• Men or women, in their 40s to 60s, since the results are collagen-dependent

The following patients are NOT GOOD CANDIDATES for TITAN skin tightening:

• Patients with excessively loose skin
• Those looking for a drastic change
• Patients who have been on Accutane within the past 3 months
• Women who are pregnant

How is TITAN Skin Tightening Performed?

TITAN skin tightening is painless, does not require any anesthesia and takes between 60 and 90 minutes. The treatment introduces infrared light to the sagging skin of a patient. The light penetrates the epidermis and boosts the production of collagen. The doctor delivers the infrared laser energy through a handheld device with a sapphire tip. TITAN uses a pulsed broadband infrared source of 850-3000nm. Each pulse can feel like a hot pinch and can be slightly uncomfortable but it won’t hurt. As the device is applied to the skin, a six-second cooling and heating cycle treats a dime-sized area at a time. The doctor will pass the laser through the treatment area multiple times. TITAN does not penetrate the skin at the same depth all over the treatment area. The infrared light passes through the surface of the skin and then stimulates the layer under the skin surface. The heat from the laser causes an increase in collagen production, underneath the skin, and a tightening of the existing collagen over time.

Alternative Treatments

Alternative treatments include laser skin tightening treatments which use radiofrequency (such as Thermage). Radiofrequency also heats the dermis but the results may not be noticeable for several months.

Ulthera is a comparable treatment that uses ultrasonic energy to heat the dermis and encourage collagen production. However, the heat generated by Ulthera can be uncomfortable and may require drugs to relieve the pain and discomfort.

What is the Cost of TITAN Skin Tightening?

The cost of TITAN skin tightening is based on the size of the area being treated and can range from $600 to $1800. The cost may vary according to the doctor’s skills and the geographic location of the treatment.

Recovery and Downtime

There is no recovery or downtime after TITAN skin tightening. Patients may experience some redness at the treatment site but this usually subsides within a few hours. Mild swelling is also common and could last a few days to a week. In some instances, patients may notice a whitening of the treatment area. However, this will generally resolve itself within 24 hours. Patients can immediately apply makeup or sunscreen and resume all activities after TITAN skin tightening.

Results

While some patients can see tighter and more toned skin after one TITAN treatment, the results generally appear over 2 to 6 months. The results will continue to improve over three to five treatments as collagen growth continues. Therefore, it can take up to 6 months for the final results to be visible. For best results, patients are often encouraged to undergo two TITAN sessions about a month apart. The effects of TITAN skin tightening can last up to two years. To maintain longer lasting results, patients should consider touch-up sessions. 

Limitations of TITAN Skin Tightening

The limitations of TITAN skin tightening include:

• The treatment is only capable of mild to moderate changes
• The degree of improvement compared to surgical procedures is not the same
• Patients with collagen damage from sun exposure or smoking will be limited from seeing the same results as someone with healthy collagen
• Patients who are over 65, diabetic, have an autoimmune disease or have recently undergone chemotherapy may have slow collagen production and will be limited by what TITAN can accomplish

Risks of TITAN Skin Tightening

The risks of TITAN skin tightening include:

• Redness
• Prolonged swelling
• Superficial burn
• Unsatisfactory results if the patient has unrealistic expectations

Patients Need Realistic Expectations

TITAN skin tightening is an FDA-approved treatment which can improve lax skin throughout the body and face. This procedure has minimal to no side effects as well as low risks and no recovery time. It is important to understand that multiple TITAN skin tightening sessions might be needed to achieve the desired results. Plus, this type of procedure cannot provide the same drastic results as surgery. Patients who are considering TITAN skin tightening must have realistic expectations for a successful outcome.

Written By Cosmetic Town Editorial Team - MA

Based on an exclusive interview with Richard Foxx, MD in Indian Wells, CA