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 More than ever women are searching for the easy route to the Fountain of Youth. There are many procedures available to keep us younger looking and we are being pricked, plumped and lasered in the hope of staving off Father Time. And we want to do everything we can to have younger looking skin without surgery. One of the newer treatments is Titan, an FDA-cleared infrared-light device, which helps to improve sagging skin due to age. Injectables can fill wrinkles and plump the skin but Titan can change the overall condition of the skin.
The laser-like infrared-light device is held on the skin and delivers a series of quick, heated zaps that reach below the surface to repair and stimulate collagen production. By delivering infrared light deep into the dermis, the inner layer of skin, where collagen resides, prompts the collagen to repair itself. The light works in two ways: it heats up the weak collagen, causing it to immediately contract and thicken and it creates micro-injuries to the dermis encouraging new to produce over a period of months. The result is smoother, tighter, more toned skin that occurs naturally. But perhaps the biggest draw of Titan is that it is almost painless.
Titan is appropriate for any area of the face, neck or body where there are wrinkles or mild sagging caused by loose skin, such as the brow region, cheeks, jowls, neck, abdomen, thighs, backs of arms, elbows and knees. "Titan will work well on skin that still has some elasticity but has started to slacken", says Dr. Laurence Cramer of the Center for Medical Aesthetics. "If someone is a candidate for a facelift or tummy tuck but does not want to have surgery, Titan is a good option to tighten the skin." Other areas that have doctors have seen good results in the knees and elbows, which were virtually untreatable for drooping skin.
Dr. Cramer stresses that it is not age that is the determining factor for successful results with Titan. It is more about the condition of the skin and treating the problem when the first signs of sagging skin start to occur. This can vary from patient to patient. Although collagen does not respond well after the age of 50, mature patients can still get good results if they have taken care of their skin and stayed out of the sun.
The procedure takes about a half hour to an hour depending upon the size of the area being treated and the experience of the doctor performing the procedure. There is almost no pain involved and very few side effects other than redness of the skin and a slight swelling that usually subsides after a day or two. There is no downtime so you can go back to normal activities after the treatment.
Although some patients report seeing immediate tightness, it takes from three to six months for new collagen to form so optimal results should occur after three to eight months. The treatment can be repeated every two to four weeks if recommended by the doctor.
If you would like more information or a consultation regarding Titan, you can contact Dr. Cramer at the Center for Medical Aesthetics, 610-415-1200. Office locations are in Phoenixville, Pottstown, Bryn Mawr and Roxborough.
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