Skin Tightening Cost

Typical costs:

• Skin tightening treatments using radiofrequency (RF), infrared light (IR) or a combination-- for example, Thermage, ReFirme and Titan -- typically cost $1,000 to $4,000 for one to five treatments. For Thermage, which requires only one treatment, Lakeview Dermatology^[1] in Chicago, charges about $1,300 for the eyes, $2,000 for the face and $3,000 to $4,000 for the tummy or buttocks. For ReFirme, which is used more commonly on the face, Lakeview Dermatology^[2] charges $1,800 to $3,000 for three to five treatments. Turkle & Associates^[3] in Indianapolis, Indiana, charges $1,800 to $3,450 for three Titan treatments for the face, and $2,550 to $3,450 on the abdomen.
• Skin tightening treatments that use laser technology --Fraxel's re:fine, re:pair or re:store treatments, as well as Starlux or Active FX -- typically cost $750 to $7,500 for one to five treatments. For Active FX, which requires only one treatment, Westside Aesthetics^[4] , in California, charges $750 for the lips, $1,500 for the eyes. $2,750 for the face or $3,750 for the face, neck and chest. The Dermatology and Laser Center, also in California, charges $1,200-$2,400 for three to six Fraxel re:store treatments on body parts that take a short time to treat (eyes, mouth, V of the chest, hands and elbows); and $3,000 to $5,000 for body parts requiring more time (face, arms, chest, shins or shoulders). For Fraxel re:pair, which uses a different laser technology and only requires one treatment, the center charges $4,900 for the face or $6,500 for the face and neck.
• Skin tightening is considered a cosmetic procedure, so it typically is not covered by health insurance.

• Non-surgical skin tightening treatments usually involve a hand piece attached to a machine, operated by a plastic surgeon or trained technician, that emits either radiofrequency (RF) or infrared light (IR) or uses a laser to heat the dermis, or deeper layers of the skin, to stimulate collagen production. A cooling mechanism prevents the outer layers of skin from burning. Dr. Brooke Seckel^[5] , a plastic surgeon, offers an overview of non-surgical skin tightening.
• Non-surgical skin tightening treatments using radiofrequency or infrared light tend to be mildly uncomfortable to slightly painful, and required downtime is a few days at the most. Examples include: Thermage, which uses radiofrequency (RF) and requires one treatment; Titan, which uses infrared light and requires one or more treatments -- three is typical; and ReFirme^[6] , which uses bipolar radiofrequency (RF) and light energy and requires several treatments.
• For non-surgical skin tightening using lasers, the older CO2 lasers produce more dramatic results but also can be more painful and have a downtime of two to three weeks. A new twist on the CO2 laser, Fraxel re:pair offers more dramatic results with one treatment and just one week of downtime; oral, topical, and sometimes local anesthetic is used. Treatments using non-CO2 lasers include: Fraxel re:fine, which is meant for patients in their 20s or 30s with fine lines, and re:store, which is meant for patients in their 30s to 50s with fine to moderate wrinkles.
• For some treatments, such as Fraxel re:pair, results can be almost immediate, but for others it can take several months to see the final result.

• Results tend to last less than two years, so treatment will have to be repeated.

• It is common for doctors to offer coupons or special offers on their websites. Most doctors also offer discounts for treatments on multiple body parts.

• Tip: Consult with a doctor who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who can assess your situation and supervise the procedure, even if it is done by a trained technician. Both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons^[7] and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery^[8] offer referral services. Also, Thermage.com, ReFirme.com^[9] , TightenMySkin.com (Titan) and Fraxel.com offer clinic locators.
• Tip: Ask to see before-and-after photographs of previous patients, and talk with the doctor to set realistic goals.
• Risks can include bruising, minor skin wounds, scarring, discoloration of skin and dissatisfaction with results.
• At RealSelf.com, plastic surgeons weigh in on the differences between various types of non-surgical skin tightening systems, for example, Fraxel vs. Active FX^[10] and Thermage vs. ReFirme^[11] .

1.  www.lakeviewderm.com
2.  www.lakeviewderm.com
3.  www.turklemd.com/procedures/non-surgical/treatments/
4.  www.westsidemedicalspa.com/prices.html
5.  drseckel.com/skin-tightening/laser-and-non-surgical-skin-tightening-for-sagging-sk...
6.  www.refirme.com/wrinkle-faq
7.  www1.plasticsurgery.org/find_a_surgeon/
8.  www.surgery.org/consumers/find-a-plastic-surgeon
9.  www.refirme.com/
10.  www.realself.com/question/how-does-active-fx-laser-treatment-compare-fraxel-laser-...
11.  www.realself.com/question/refirme-vs-thermage

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