Everyone's collagen gradually suffers physical wear and tear due to its own genetic heritage and various environmental factors (such as smoking, alcohol, oxidative stress, exposure to the sun, bad eating habits, and an incorrect lifestyle). The loss of collagen is evident with the first wrinkles and a progressive loss of skin tone.
Recourse to surgical lifting and filler injections, however, can often lead to considerable problems. Lifting is a highly invasive operation, usually calling for a general anaesthetic, and 1 or 2 days’ hospitalisation, plus a varying period for complete recovery (from several weeks to two months). The most frequent risks of lifting include visible scarring, asymmetry, infection, bruises, loss of skin sensitivity, skin necrosis, delayed wound healing, persistent pain, temporary or permanent lesions to the sensitive or motor nerves, skin pigmentation, an unnatural appearance, and unrealistic expectations. The use of fillers can create mild to severe intolerance reactions, with bruising and allergic dermatitis, abscesses, granulomas, and the formation of dark marks in the area where the compound has been injected.
To avoid these undesirable side-effects, over recent years many new methods have been devised aimed at stimulating endogenous collagen to restore compactness and tightness to the skin. Depending on the method chosen, variable levels of skin tightening can be achieved, with a significant reduction in skin laxity and an improvement in texture.
The physician will help the patient choose the most suitable method, depending on expectations and demands, bearing in mind that minimally invasive methods tend to produce more visible results than non-invasive methods.
DEKA offers a wide range of systems for skin tightening, exploiting different techniques and sources.