Scientists recently discovered that light and radiofrequency energy can be used to heat deeper layers of the skin while protecting the surface of the skin. This heating activates fibroblasts signaling new collagen to form and existing collagen to tighten over time. The most common areas treated are the face and neck, resulting in firmer, tighter, and lifted jowls, cheeks, neck. The Titan™ utilizes a pulsed broadband infrared source of 850 - 3000 nm. The tightening effects of Titan are immediate but the best results come down the line in when the effects of collagen production become evident. Titan's light-based platform provides a more uniform distribution of energy for heating the deep dermis than other energy sources, such as RF (radio-frequency).
One can an immediate tightening effect after one Titan treatment but best results are seen after three treatments spaced 1 month apart.
In 2007, in the USA, the Aesthetic Trends and Technologies Choice Awards™, nominated the Cutera Titan as best device for skin laxity. The natural ageing process, along with sun damage, causes collagen fibers to stretch and loosen like worn rubber hands, resulting in less elastic skin that eventually droops. Titan tackles this problem by delivering infrared light deep into the dermis, the inner layer of skin where collagen resides, and prompting the collagen to repair itself. The light works in two ways: It heats up the weak collagen, causing it to immediately contract and thickens, and it also creates micro-injuries to the dermis, encouraging it to produce new collagen over a period of months. The result is a smoother, tighter, more toned look that occurs naturally.
As one ages, the skin's elasticity declines dramatically, become evident and gravity constantly pulls on our bodies. Changes related to gravity become more pronounced and one of the earliest signs of facial ageing is the development of jowls or jowling. Previously there was no alternative to surgical face lifts. The choices were fairly black and white; surgery or sagging!
Now with the advent of skin tightening devices ,virtually any patient in their thirties or above can be a candidate for a little tightening and firming and the younger the patient the better the result. Eight out of ten patients get noticeable improvement in skin laxity after first treatment an ten out of ten will be putting collagen " in the bank" for the future.
Perhaps even more promising is the idea that treating skin with lasers earlier on in the ageing process- actually slow or prevent the skin from breaking down and appearing wrinkled and saggy later on in life.
Patients often complain of looking "old" and "jowly" in large part because they have lost significant volume in and around the cheeks, causing them to "sink and sag." Sagging skin is one of the most significant contributors to facial ageing. When the lower parts of the face start dropping, defy gravity by having a skin tightening treatment with Titan® which gently heats up the collagen in the deep dermis and causes a tightening and lifting effect of 1 to 3 mm, enough to make difference and restore youthful contours to the face.
In addition the effects of gravity and the predominance of the brow depressors can cause the brow to droop, lowering the brow and causing an aged look. At Skin Renewal, we also offer Titan as a non surgical alternative to a brow lift. Titan skin tightening heats the collagen fibrils on the brow causing them to shrink. Over a period of time the brow is lifted between 1 to 3 cms which creates a difference. Titan also improves the quantity of collagen in the area.
If one can keep one's skin firm and taught with collagen, then the sagging that takes place over time can be contained as tighter skin supports the face. The new concept today is to start with tightening rejuvenation treatments early so as to and avoid or postpone surgical solutions for as long as possible. Maintaining a young face isn't a sprint - it's a marathon .Rather than waiting until their problems are bothersome again, patients must appreciate that maintenance goes a long way and Titan treatments should be repeated once or twice a year. The protocol methods for performing tissue tightening treatments have changed since the release of these devices and the results are very dependent on the amount of Titan treatments done. At Skin Renewal thousands of Titan® treatments have been administered to our patients with great results with virtually no side effects. In some rare instances (0,008%) a small burn mark has developed post treatment which resolved without any consequences. The discomfort has decreased with these changes and the chance for more immediate improvement has increased. To evaluate results, we have patients come in for follow-up evaluations visits six months following the treatments.