What's Covered on This Page
- The Coastal Lifestyle and Skin Sagging
- How non-invasive skin tightening works in Murrells Inlet
- Who Is a Strong Candidate for Skin Tightening
- What You Can Expect During Your First Visit and Beyond
- Ways to Maintain and Maximize Skin Tightening Results
- Does the humid, salty air in Murrells Inlet make skin laxity worse over time?
- What does a skin tightening session actually feel like?
- How soon will I see results after skin tightening?
- Am I a good candidate for skin tightening if my skin isn't severely sagging?
- Can skin tightening be done on areas other than the face?
- Does skin tightening work for men too?
The Coastal Lifestyle and Skin Sagging
It's easy to say that living by the ocean is healthy for the soul. That's a nice sentiment, certainly. But as many of our Murrells Inlet patients are finding out, living on the coast can also cause accelerated skin laxity.
We hear from people all the time who moved down here a few years ago. They bought a beach house 4, 5 or 6 years ago, and since that time they've noticed changes. Their jaw line is looser. Skin on their neck feels less firm.
They notice the corners of their eyes seem droopy. It's often the environment itself that is causing skin laxity.
Everything from humidity and sun exposure to the salt air and wind has an impact on your skin's elastin and collagen levels. Salt, sun, and humidity will accelerate the degradation of collagen faster than you think. The Skin Cancer Foundation says that 90% of visible skin damage is actually the result of UV damage, and let's face it: you spend more time in the sun down here than in the Upstate, right? So whether you live on the Marsh, spend time on the boat, or walk the beach every day, the hours spent out in the sun do add up!
These conditions have an impact on many things including:
- Skin laxity of the jaw line and neck
- The appearance of fine lines in the eyes from squinting
- Cheeks and other areas in the mid-face area
- Crepiness (a change in texture on the surface of the skin that makes it look thin and wrinkled, like crumpled tissue paper) on the arms and chest
Humidity also adds to skin laxity because it gives skin a hydrated appearance and you don't feel as if you need to wear the necessary sun protection products to prevent premature skin laxity. This is a mistake, though. And this is a scenario we see time and again. People come in complaining that they look tired, but their tired appearance is actually the result of years of collagen degradation.
The great thing is that skin laxity treatment is not just about preventing additional skin laxity. The treatments we offer here are all about rebuilding your collagen and making your skin more elastic. It doesn't matter if the environment put you on the fast track toward skin aging, because there are ways to reverse the effects of skin laxity.
Does the change in your face and body look normal, age-related aging? Or did the salty air speed up the aging process? More often than not, it's both.
How non-invasive skin tightening works in Murrells Inlet
Many patients expect skin tightening treatment to be a process of lasers that burn away the surface layers of the skin. It doesn't have to be done that way.
The way the treatment actually works is this: energy that is delivered to your tissues below the surface is converted into heat. Your body responds to that heat stimulus by making an effort to repair the damage that it has seen and this is when your collagen production begins to ramp up. New collagen will form and tighten your skin in the weeks and months following the treatment. No cuts, no needles, no downtime.
Think of it this way: Your skin naturally knows how to regenerate itself. We're just giving it a powerful incentive to speed that process up.
This is what occurs during a session:
- We start by washing and drying the target area and apply a conductive gel to help distribute the radiofrequency energy uniformly.
- We then move the handpiece over the area in a slow, deliberate movement; you feel heat, and heat is being delivered to the right depth.
- As a result, your body starts to heal itself immediately, and you start to see improvements within eight to twelve weeks.
- You get up and go back to what you were doing before. Sometimes the clients come back from a Murrells Inlet treatment and grab lunch on the MarshWalk.
This is exactly what happens week in and week out: someone walks in expecting a magic wand that does everything in one shot, and then we explain that skin tightening is about stimulating your own body to rejuvenate itself. The collagen production doesn't stop with the procedure; it keeps working for many weeks and months to come, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, which recommends that most patients see noticeable improvement after a series of sessions spaced a few weeks apart.
People often ask, can it treat more than the face? Yes. The jawline and neck, the backs of the arms and the abdomen, if you're dealing with loose or sagging skin, the deeper collagen stimulation could be a game changer.
Afterward, people won't know anything happened to you. They might just say you look rested for the first time in years. Your skin's just a little more firm and smooth than it was a month ago. And that's exactly what people say they want for themselves.
Who Is a Strong Candidate for Skin Tightening
You do not have to be a certain age. That is the first thing that clients walk up to us about and want to know in Murrells Inlet.
We've had clients in their early 30s who are starting to notice their jawline has become a bit more less defined and others in their early 60s who simply want to look more like themselves. In truth, most people come to us wanting this treatment. They just don't know that they're the ideal candidate.
The greatest improvements can be achieved in those with light to medium skin laxity, a fancy way of saying that your skin is hanging loose and is starting to droop, but it has not yet drooped to the point where only surgery can fix it. Imagine that you pinch some loose skin along your jaw or under your chin. If it would look like you did years ago, then you're an ideal candidate for skin tightening.
Signs You Might Be Ready
Here's what people who have turned out to be great candidates for this treatment say:
- Loose skin along the jawline or neck area that's developed over time
- Fine lines on the cheeks or forehead that creams can't seem to fix
- A "tired" look even after a good night of sleep
- Skin that lost firmness after weight loss or hormonal shifts
Most people are considering tightening long before they walk through the door. Maybe they've invested in serums and facials; these are positive actions, but sometimes the problem calls for a much stronger lift from the inside out.
Certain things do matter regarding candidacy. General skin health is a factor. Also, we consider someone's natural ability to produce collagen, a key topic during your consultation. We advise patients with active skin infections or certain autoimmune diseases to wait or explore alternative therapies first.
Men benefit from skin tightening procedures as well. We get a number of guys who want to address loose skin under their chin or their neck. We don't check for age or gender.
Not sure? That's okay. A few questions from our team will clarify everything for you.
Need help with skin tightening?
Book An Appointment. Jolie Visage Rejuvenation Centre is ready to help.
What You Can Expect During Your First Visit and Beyond
You walk in. We talk. That's about it.
Your very first session at our Murrells Inlet clinic isn't fast-paced. We'll focus on the areas of concern. We'll feel the skin. We'll discuss elasticity.
Most importantly, we'll identify what is going on in your case.
Patients come in talking about sagging around their jawline. Some want to address loose skin near their neck or over their knees. Most leave our office remarking on how short the entire experience was. Here's a breakdown of a typical first session:
- You sit and share what is bothering you. Sagging along your jaw, loose skin near your chin, thin crepey skin on your arms. Whatever is concerning you.
- Next, we examine the treatment area to assess skin tone, thickness and the degree of laxity present.
- We explain exactly what the session will consist of, how much time it will take and what you can expect after treatment.
- Ready? Let's get you started that very day.
No pressure is needed here. Some patients drive in just to have their consultation and schedule their first treatment for another week. That's totally cool.
As far as the actual procedure, most patients describe it as "warm." No, it's not painful. A bit more discomfort can exist in a few sensitive spots. However, nothing makes you want to run for the door. We control the intensity of the energy to your comfort and frequently check in with you throughout the treatment.
After your very first treatment, some notice a noticeable lift right away. The most dramatic results are the product of a buildup over several weeks as your body creates more collagen. And that is the piece that patients say they love the most. Leave our Murrells Inlet office looking like you and not like you just got something done.
We recommend to most clients a series of treatments a few weeks apart. While one treatment makes a difference, they're most powerful when combined. We determine the best course of action for your skin type and objectives, and keep treatment records, allowing each subsequent treatment to build upon the first.
Not sure if you qualify for Skin Tightening? Give us a call to find out more.
Ways to Maintain and Maximize Skin Tightening Results
You've made the commitment and completed the treatments. Now the question many clients ask: how can I make them last longer?
As we say to everyone that leaves our Murrells Inlet office after skin tightening: it's not only what you do in the office. Your home skincare regimen is just as and in many cases just as significant. We have clients who are seen looking better a year later than at the time of their original treatment because of their adherence to a few simple guidelines.
Daily Habits for Long-Term Skin Tightening
Most importantly is using a sunscreen with SPF of 30 or greater on a regular basis. Sun exposure diminishes the collagen production you spent good money for, and the sun is the primary cause of premature aging. Use the SPF 30 on a daily basis, even when the sky is overcast on the MarshWalk, as the sun still penetrates clouds. If you're outside, be sure to reapply sunscreen when it gets warm.
Just this step alone can extend your treatment results by several months.
In addition to sunscreen, here's our advice to you:
- Drink water to hydrate your skin (you produce more collagen when your body's hydration levels are normal)
- Use a retinol cream at night (this helps keep your cells turning over at an accelerated pace)
- Do not smoke cigarettes (this is one of the primary agents that destroys collagen in the skin)
- Eat plenty of vitamin C and protein (these nutrients help support healthy collagen levels)
None of this is particularly hard, and it only requires a level of consistency.
If you want to keep your skin tightening treatment results, most people opt for maintenance sessions. We recommend coming in for maintenance treatments between six months and a year later. Like your annual teeth cleaning, you don't wait for something to go bad.
Clients that schedule medical facials in between skin tightening sessions tend to get better results than those that don't. It's a matter of building one treatment on top of another.
If you're not sure what your maintenance schedule should be, give us a call. We'll assess you where you're at.
Stress and poor sleep accelerate aging faster than most people realize. We've heard clients say that even using good skincare products didn't help them look any younger after a long period of time spent working and experiencing a great deal of stress in their personal life. Your body rebuilds while you sleep. It requires a good night's rest in order to heal, so try getting a few extra minutes of rest per night.
All of the little things do add up, and your skin tightening results will reflect a lack of rest.
Skin Tightening is one of the health spa services at Jolie Visage in Murrells Inlet. If you're considering more than one treatment, we'll help you build a plan that fits your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about skin tightening services in Murrells Inlet
Does the humid, salty air in Murrells Inlet make skin laxity worse over time?
Yes, coastal living in Murrells Inlet speeds up collagen loss faster than most people expect. Salt air, UV exposure, and humidity swings all break down the deeper skin structure. You may feel hydrated on the surface and skip sun protection, but the damage builds underneath. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, up to 90 percent of visible aging comes from UV damage. Living near the MarshWalk means more outdoor hours, and that adds up quickly.
What does a skin tightening session actually feel like?
Most people describe it as a warm sensation moving across the skin. We apply a coupling gel first, then a handpiece moves slowly over the treatment area, delivering heat to the deeper tissue layers. There are no needles and no cuts. You walk out the same day with no downtime. Some of our Murrells Inlet clients grab lunch right after their appointment. The whole process is straightforward and comfortable for most people.
How soon will I see results after skin tightening?
You won't see overnight results, and that's actually a good sign. Your body starts producing new collagen right after treatment, but the real firming shows up over 8 to 12 weeks. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that most patients see noticeable improvement after a series of sessions spaced a few weeks apart. Results look natural because they come from inside your own skin, not from something applied on top.
Am I a good candidate for skin tightening if my skin isn't severely sagging?
Mild to moderate skin laxity is actually the sweet spot for this treatment. If your jawline, neck, or cheeks have started to lose firmness but haven't gone too far, you are likely a strong candidate. People in their thirties through their sixties all see good results. A quick consultation helps confirm whether your skin health and collagen production make you a fit. Most people who ask about it are already good candidates.
Can skin tightening be done on areas other than the face?
Yes, skin tightening works well beyond the face. The neck, jawline, arms, abdomen, and chest all respond to the same collagen-stimulating energy. Anywhere skin has started to loosen or feel crepey is a potential treatment area. This is especially common for Murrells Inlet clients who spend a lot of time outdoors and notice sun-related texture changes on the chest and arms, not just the face.
Does skin tightening work for men too?
Absolutely, skin tightening works just as well for men as it does for women. We regularly see male clients who notice loose skin under the chin or around the neck and want a non-surgical option. There is no age or gender requirement. If you are seeing changes in your skin and want firmer results without surgery, a quick conversation with our team is the best next step.