As we embrace the wisdom and experience that comes with passing years, it’s natural to notice signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. While we can’t reverse time, we can redefine how we age gracefully.
With a plethora of anti-aging creams and treatments available, it can be overwhelming to determine where to begin and which options truly deliver results.
During your research, you may have encountered buzzwords like “skin tightening” and “Soft Lift”, also known as injectables.
But what sets these treatments apart, and how can you determine the best choice for your needs?
At Pacific Derm, located in Vancouver, we take pride in giving each of our patients a highly personalized treatment plan. We carefully discuss your skincare goals, your medical history in case of any contraindications, and we assess your physiology to determine which treatment is best suited for you.
With our years of experience and expertise, we have helped numerous patients embrace their best skin. Now, let’s dive into the difference between skin-tightening and soft lift treatments!
Skin tightening vs Soft Lift (injectables) at a Glance
Similarities
- Skin tightening and Soft Lift treatments are non-surgical solutions.
- There is little to no downtime, meaning you can resume most of your daily activities after your appointment.
- There is a possibility of bruising and swelling for up to 48 hours following the treatments.
Differences
- Skin tightening technologies are non-invasive, while Soft Lift (injectables) are minimally invasive.
- Skin tightening results are gradual because collagen needs time to heal and reproduce, taking about 3-6 months to see the full effect. With Soft Lift treatments, the dermal filler portion delivers immediate results, while neuromodulators will take two weeks to settle.
- Skin tightening treatments target sagging or lax skin, while Soft Lift treatments help contour, lift, and enhance your features.
- Skin tightening follows the skin’s natural aging process, the results are best for up to 12 months. On the other hand, dermal filler results may last between 6-12 months, but neuromodulators will need a touch-up every 3 to 4 months.
But first, what causes aging?
As time passes, our skin undergoes changes that affect its appearance and texture. Collagen production slows down, leading to skin laxity, wrinkles, and fine lines. Moreover, our skin’s ability to retain moisture and volume diminishes as the natural hyaluronic acid levels decline.
Factors like pregnancy, weight loss, and certain lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, excessive sun exposure, and lack of sleep can further impact the health and elasticity of our skin.
Explore skin-tightening treatments
Skin tightening treatments are non-surgical cosmetic procedures designed to improve the appearance of laxity or loose skin. This type of treatment typically uses heat or energy-based technology to stimulate collagen production in the skin, which helps to firm and tighten the skin over time.
As we age, our body’s ability to produce collagen slows down, resulting in sagging and uneven appearance of the skin. Skin tightening treatments reignite the body’s collagen production and help lift your facial features for a natural youthful appearance.
Ultrasound technology like ultherapy and radiofrequency treatments such as thermage are among the top choices for advanced skin tightening.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy, also known as Ulthera, is a Health Canada and FDA-approved treatment that harnesses the power of ultrasound technology to target deep layers of skin tissue. Ultherapy stimulates collagen production and tissue contraction by delivering precise micro-focused energy, leading to a rejuvenated appearance.
The treatment triggers three healing phases: inflammation, collagen synthesis, and skin remodeling, resulting in tighter and lifted skin.
Thermage
Thermage, on the other hand, utilizes radiofrequency technology to address skin laxity and wrinkles. It can be applied to various areas of the face, eyelids, and body. By delivering radiofrequency energy to the deeper layers of the skin, Thermage stimulates collagen production, leading to smoother and firmer skin with reduced wrinkles and fine lines.
Bonus tip: Pair Thermage with a Fraxel treatment to optimize your journey to revitalized and brightened skin. The combination of these two gold-standard treatments is called ThermaFrax.
Now, let’s talk about injectables (a.k.a Soft Lift).
What to Expect from a Soft Lift
Soft Lift is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that combines the use of neuromodulators (a.k.a Botox) and dermal fillers to address a range of concerns on the face, including fine lines, wrinkles, loss of volume, and overall skin rejuvenation.
Neuromodulators (aka Botox)
During your Soft Lift treatment, neuromodulators are injected to relax the muscles that cause “dynamic wrinkles”. While dynamic lines/wrinkles are completely normal, the repetition of motion plus a combination of our collagen production slowing down turns dynamic wrinkles into static wrinkles.
These lines are commonly seen on the forehead, in between the brows (elevens), and around the eyes (crow’s feet).
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers, a.k.a “liquid facelift”, complement your neuromodulator injections. A filler injection contains hyaluronic acid, a type of sugar molecule that’s naturally produced by the body and is responsible for retaining moisture in the skin.
Fillers are designed to decrease the appearance of fine lines on areas such as the marionette lines and nasolabial folds. It also adds volume to areas such as the temples, cheeks, lips, chin, and tear troughs to make you look rejuvenated and address any asymmetry.
Our dermal fillers are all offered as a customized approach based on the patient’s needs and their candidacy. We use many different viscosities of fillers that can be used for hydration-boosting benefits to more structural or lifting benefits.
– Pacific Derm Aesthetic Injector
Which approach is best for you?
It’s important to consider your specific concerns and desired outcomes. In the end, a combination of skin tightening treatments and Soft Lift treatments synergistically offers the most natural approach to rejuvenating aging skin.
Skin tightening stimulates your inherent collagen production to restore youthful skin, while Soft Lift treatments instantly enhance volume to tackle fine lines, wrinkles, and any imbalances.
In general, as with any medical procedure, it is best to consult with a certified treatment expert before deciding. Only a medical aesthetic professional who has evaluated your skin knows about your medical history, as well as your personal beauty goals can ultimately advise which path to take.
Start your skin journey with Pacific Derm!
To discover the optimal treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, we invite you to schedule a consultation with one of our highly skilled treatment designers.
By booking an appointment, you will have the opportunity to discuss your concerns, goals, and expectations in detail. Our skincare expert will carefully assess your unique situation, consider various factors, and recommend a personalized treatment plan that is best suited for you.
Take the first step towards achieving your desired results by contacting us today and securing your consultation appointment.