Loose or sagging skin can appear after weight loss or as a natural effect of aging. Some patients want to avoid surgery, while others are looking to enhance the results of a procedure they’ve already had. Non-surgical skin tightening can help with both.
At eSSe Plastic Surgery in Fort Lauderdale, FL, we offer skin tightening treatments like Exilis Protégé to target areas where the skin has become lax. These treatments can be used on the face, neck, abdomen, thighs, arms, and other parts of the body. Whether used alone or alongside surgery, they can help improve definition and firmness. We serve Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas, from Boca Raton to Miami.
What Is Skin Tightening?
Skin tightening refers to treatments that use energy devices and other methods to stimulate collagen production in the skin. Collagen gives your skin its structure, but levels decrease with age or weight fluctuations. These treatments help the skin contract and gradually improve its firmness over time. They can be used in virtually all areas of the face and body to improve the skin’s texture.
What Is Exilis Protégé?
Exilis Protégé is a non-invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency technology to improve skin laxity. It gently heats under the skin while preserving the surface from damage. The handpiece glides across the skin while delivering controlled energy to promote collagen remodeling. It is comfortable and easy to fit into a busy routine. Treatments are quick, and there’s no recovery time needed afterward.
How Skin Tightening Works With Exilis Protégé
The thermal energy of Exilis Protégé stimulates fibroblast activity and encourages the production of new collagen fibers. The heat also causes existing collagen to contract, which can help the skin appear tighter shortly after treatment. We can adjust the device settings based on the thickness and sensitivity of the treatment area. Because it doesn’t require injections or incisions, it can be used on many parts of the face and body comfortably and effectively.
What Exilis Protégé Can Treat
- Sagging Along the Jawline: Energy delivered by Exilis Protégé can help create a more defined jawline by encouraging the skin in this area to contract and tighten gradually.
- Loose Skin Under the Chin and Neck: This treatment can be used to improve the appearance of loose skin beneath the chin and along the neck without surgery or recovery time.
- Hooded Eyelids and Under-Eye Laxity: We can use the Exilis Protégé handpiece around the eyes to gently tighten skin that has begun to droop or sag, helping the eye area look more refreshed.
- Midface Softening and Cheek Flattening: As collagen rebuilds, the skin over the cheeks can gain a firmer texture and a more lifted contour, especially helpful in early facial aging.
- Décolleté Wrinkles and Crepey Chest Skin: The chest responds well to gentle collagen stimulation, especially in cases of sun damage or age-related thinning.
- Loose Skin on the Abdomen: When applied to the stomach, skin tightening treatments can firm up mild laxity caused by aging or weight loss.
- Upper Arm Skin Laxity: Arms can develop sagging skin that doesn’t respond to exercise; thermal energy from Exilis Protégé can gradually improve the texture in this area.
- Inner Thigh and Knee Skin Laxity: These spots are prone to thinning and sagging with age, but can benefit from heat-based collagen stimulation to restore a firmer look.
- Fine Lines and Surface Texture Issues: Patients with fine lines around the mouth, eyes, or cheeks often notice smoother skin as collagen fibers strengthen and multiply.
What Are the Benefits of Exilis Protégé?
Comfortable, Non-Invasive Sessions
Exilis Protégé feels more like a warm, gentle massage than a clinical treatment. There’s no need for numbing or recovery time, and the handpiece glides easily across the skin while delivering targeted heat below the surface. It’s a simple and low-stress option for anyone looking to improve skin firmness without discomfort.
Gradual, Natural-Looking Results
Results develop slowly over time as collagen builds, giving the skin a firmer, smoother appearance without abrupt or artificial changes. Because the change is gradual, it blends in easily with your natural look.
Suitable for All Skin Types and Tones
Exilis Protégé works well across a wide range of skin tones and textures. Settings can be adjusted based on the area being treated and how the skin responds. It is a flexible anti-aging option, and it isn’t limited by pigmentation or sensitivity.
No Needles, No Downtime
There are no injections, no anesthesia, and nothing to recover from after your session. It’s easy to go straight back to your routine. For those who want consistent results without interrupting daily plans, this treatment makes it easy to stay on track.
What To Expect From Skin Tightening Treatment Sessions
Each session with Exilis Protégé typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes. You’ll lie back while we apply a conductive gel to the skin to help the handpiece move smoothly and deliver energy evenly. As the device glides over the skin, you’ll feel a warming sensation. The temperature is monitored and adjusted in real time to maintain a consistent level of heat without overheating the surface.
Most areas require multiple passes during each session to fully treat the skin and encourage collagen remodeling. There’s no numbing required, and you can speak or relax during the session without restrictions. Afterward, the skin may feel slightly warm to the touch, but it does not typically appear red or irritated. You can return to normal activities immediately, including work, errands, or skincare routines. Results begin to build gradually in the weeks following your appointment as collagen continues to rebuild.
Before and After Skin Tightening
Pre-Treatment Guidelines
Avoid applying lotions, creams, or oils to the treatment area on the day of your session. Hydrated skin responds better to heat, so drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your appointment. It’s best to avoid sunburn or recent tanning, as this can affect comfort and treatment settings. Let us know if you’ve recently had any other treatments in the same area so we can space sessions appropriately. You won’t need to fast or change your medications, but arrive with clean, product-free skin.
Post-Treatment Guidelines
There’s no downtime, but the skin may feel slightly warm or pink. These mild sensations should fade within a few hours, but avoid applying heavy creams or makeup to the area until any warmth subsides. Sun protection is important after treatment, especially if you’re treating the face, chest, or neck. You can return to your usual skincare routine by the next day unless otherwise directed.
Other Skin Tightening Methods Available
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels use a controlled acid solution to exfoliate the outer layers of skin, which triggers cellular turnover and collagen regeneration. As the skin heals, it becomes firmer, smoother, and more even in tone. Lighter peels offer subtle surface refinement, while deeper peels can target laxity and texture more effectively. This method is often used on the face, neck, and chest.
Attiva Subdermal RF
Attiva delivers radiofrequency energy beneath the surface of the skin using a fine probe inserted through a small entry point. The energy heats the connective tissue from within, which stimulates collagen remodeling and causes existing fibers to contract. This internal heating method allows for more pronounced skin tightening in a single session. It’s often used for facial sagging, under-chin laxity, and areas that may not respond as well to external treatments.
Microneedling
Microneedling creates microchannels in the skin using a device with fine needles, which activates the body’s natural healing response. This leads to increased collagen and elastin production in the treated area. As it heals, the skin becomes more toned and resilient, with improved texture and firmness. It can be used on the face, neck, or body, and often pairs well with other therapies like serums or PRP.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Skin Tightening?
- Patients Who Have Lost Weight: After significant weight loss, skin may not retract fully, especially in areas like the abdomen, thighs, and arms. Skin tightening after fat loss can help improve definition and reduce the appearance of loose or sagging tissue. Treatments like Exilis Protégé are often used to enhance the results of diet and exercise.
- Individuals Not Ready for Surgery: Not everyone wants to move forward with surgical lifts or tucks, especially for mild to moderate skin laxity. Non-invasive skin tightening offers a way to address visible concerns without incisions or extended recovery.
- People Experiencing Early Signs of Aging: As collagen decreases with age, skin can start to lose its firmness and structure, a natural process that you may notice even in your 30s or 40s. Early treatments can support the skin before more advanced aging develops. Mild sagging around the jawline, eyes, or neck often responds well to focused heat-based tightening. These sessions can be done periodically to help maintain firmness as the skin ages.
- Postpartum Patients With Mild Abdominal Laxity: Pregnancy can stretch the abdominal skin in ways that don’t always resolve after delivery. When muscle tone is strong but the surface remains slightly loose, targeted energy can help stimulate skin repair. Exilis Protégé offers a way to treat the area without affecting deeper tissues or interfering with daily routines.
- Adults With Crepey or Thinning Skin: Thin, crepey skin can develop with age, sun exposure, or genetics, especially on the chest, arms, or inner thighs. Controlled heat from treatments like Exilis Protégé encourages the skin to rebuild some of its internal support structure. Over time, this can help improve texture and firmness. Skin tightening in these areas is often used to support the skin before laxity becomes more pronounced.
FAQs About Skin Tightening
How Long Does It Take to See Results of Skin Tightening?
Results begin gradually, often becoming noticeable within four to six weeks after your first session. Collagen takes time to rebuild, so improvements continue to develop for several months. Some areas may respond more quickly than others, depending on the condition of the skin and your overall health. Most people see the most visible changes after completing a full series of treatments.
How Often Should I Get Treatments?
Treatment plans may include a series of sessions spaced over several months. Allowing time in between treatments allows the skin time to respond and adjust between sessions. For maintenance, follow-up appointments may be scheduled every few months or less often depending on the patient. Keeping up with hydration, sun protection, and skincare can help maintain the results between visits.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The number of treatments varies based on skin condition, treatment area, and individual response. A typical plan may include two to four sessions, though some may benefit from additional visits for more noticeable laxity. Those using Exilis Protégé as a wrinkle treatment may require fewer sessions in smaller facial areas compared to broader body zones. We’ll go over a specific plan during your consultation.
Can Skin Tightening Be Combined With Other Treatments?
Skin tightening may pair well with microneedling, chemical peels, or light-based therapies. Combining treatments can enhance overall skin texture, firmness, and tone. Timing and sequencing are important, so each approach is spaced out to prevent skin irritation. We help create treatment combinations that make sense for your skin and schedule.
How Long Do Results Last?
Results can last a year or more, but maintenance sessions are recommended to support ongoing collagen production. The natural aging process continues, so ongoing care can help preserve improvements. Lifestyle factors like sun exposure, diet, and skincare all affect how long the results remain visible.
Why Choose Us for Skin Tightening Treatments in Fort Lauderdale, FL?
At eSSe Plastic Surgery, we offer a supportive and comfortable space where you can explore effective options like Exilis Protégé with guidance from an experienced, all-female team. Our practice is led by Dr. Tracey H. Stokes, a Harvard-educated, board-certified plastic surgeon with training from Duke and Cornell. With decades of experience across our clinical and aesthetic staff, we’re equipped to deliver treatments backed by knowledge, precision, and thoughtful care.
You’ll receive one-on-one attention in a professional setting that respects your preferences, your goals, and your comfort, whether you’re here for non-surgical skin tightening or a comprehensive aesthetic plan. We’re proud to serve women from Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Miami, and beyond, and we offer a safe, inclusive environment for all backgrounds and beliefs.
Tighten and Tone Your Skin Without Surgery With Skin Tightening
Skin tightening treatments like Exilis Protégé can help improve firmness and definition in areas affected by aging, weight changes, or thinning skin. At eSSe Plastic Surgery, we offer non-invasive options that work with your schedule and can be used across the face and body. To schedule a consultation in Fort Lauderdale, FL, call (954) 533-1671 or contact us using the online form.
