Tightening loose skin: An exploration of Renuvion
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty built on innovation. One of the latest developments that is making waves thanks to its fantastic results and promising future applications is Renuvion. This unique skin tightening procedure has quickly gained popularity thanks to the breathtaking results that it can provide, whether used on its own or in combination with other procedures.
To gather more insight into this new and exciting treatment option and to answer our most burning questions, we spoke with ASPS Member Surgeon Suzanne Trott, MD, FACS. Discover her thoughts about Renuvion and its uses, as well as her advice for those who are interested in pursuing this procedure.
A closer look at Renuvion
Renuvion is a newer procedure in the world of plastic surgery that is used to tighten the skin and create a more youthful appearance. This innovative treatment can be used in a variety of locations, from large to smaller, more targeted areas.
"I have loved using Renuvion for neck and jowl tightening, and there is also a small cannula to tighten the lower eyelid skin without an incision," said Dr. Trott.
So how does it work?
"Renuvion is a minimally invasive game-changing procedure that uses a combination of radiofrequency and helium to 'shrink wrap' the tissue," said Dr. Trott.
This process involves minimal downtime and recovery, making it a great option for busy patients who are looking for immediate results.
"I have been doing plastic surgery for over 20 years, and this is really the first device that really tightens tissue," said Dr. Trott.
While a Renuvion procedure may be considered minimally invasive, it does involve a series of intricate steps in order to reach the desired results.
"It requires local anesthetic and insertion of a cannula that looks like a small liposuction cannula," said Dr. Trott. "The radiofrequency energy heats up the helium to a state where it contracts the skin and subdermal tissues nearly instantly. The heating is so superficial and the contraction so significant that the treated area cools to baseline in less than a second, and almost no heat is absorbed into the upper dermis of the skin. So even though the helium plasma heats the subdermal space more than other similar devices, there is less risk of burn or other unintended injury."
Who is a good candidate for Renuvion?
The average profile of a Renuvion patient is unique in that both men and women have pursued it as an option to achieve a more youthful appearance.
"The patients that typically come to me for Renuvion treatments are men and women who want to do a minimally invasive procedure for rejuvenation of their neck with less downtime and cost than a traditional deep plane neck lift," said Dr. Trott. "It is a great 'bridge' procedure for anyone who isn't yet ready to commit to surgery."
However, Renuvion also works very well in combination with other plastic surgery procedures to both achieve and maintain truly amazing results.
"I have found that it is great to combine with a central neck submental plication (chin liposuction) to get the extra little 'turkey neck' and 'bands' that it might not take care of," said Dr. Trott. "It is also a great way to maintain a neck lift result over a long period of time without going back to the operating room for a 'tuck up,' and it can even be combined with the deep plane facelift because it adds an improvement in elasticity of the tissues that you don't get with just surgery."
While this procedure does promise amazing outcomes, there are some patients who show more drastic results than others when pursuing Renuvion.
"I have honestly found that the patients with the biggest immediate response to Renuvion are those that haven't done any previous noninvasive heat-based procedures," said Dr. Trott.
Maximizing your results with Renuvion
While looking for the easiest, most convenient option to administer Renuvion may be tempting, finding a qualified surgeon to perform your procedure is always important.
"Anyone who is considering Renuvion needs to find a board-certified plastic surgeon to do it," said Dr. Trott. "Even though it is minimally invasive, a non-surgeon or 'cosmetic surgeon' who doesn't know the anatomy should not be doing it. It has a high success rate and low complication rate in the right hands."
Once the procedure is completed, it's important to still keep the instructions of your surgeon close and in mind at each step of your recovery.
When electing to use Renuvion, it's easy to get caught up in the idea of instant gratification that you'll see immediate results from the procedure. Renuvion does offer many immediate results, but the true impact of the procedure does take some time to fully show.
"While there are immediate results, the tissue contraction continues for up to six months," said Dr. Trott. "I didn't believe it until I saw it myself, that it really does get better over time."
Tightening up loose skin for your dream aesthetic
When it comes to new and exciting innovations within the world of plastic surgery, one procedure that is truly making waves is that of Renuvion. This minimally invasive option utilizes both radiofrequency and helium to shrink the tissue and tighten the skin in the face and neck.
Offering immediate results with even more amazing long-term results, Renuvion is a great option for both men and women who are looking for truly fantastic results, whether used on its own or in combination with other lift procedures.
To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.
