In your late 30s, you’ve started to notice a little looseness along your mid-face and jawline, on your neck and chest, and even around your knees. You’re hoping one treatment can handle all of it. Laser skin tightening in Washington, DC may help, and our Fraxel Dual page is a good first stop.
Here’s what you can expect when you first sit down with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marilyn Berzin at our practice on L Street NW. Our building offers daily and hourly parking, and the Farragut North Metro stop is close by.
Can One Skin Tightening Treatment Work on My Face, Neck and Body?
Sometimes, and Dr. Berzin will tell you which areas share a device. During your consultation, she’ll let you know that Thermage can treat your face, neck, abdomen and knees. Then again, your chest or crepey neck may respond better to Fraxel Dual, which can also be used on the face, neck and chest.
What Happens at My Consultation for Laser Skin Tightening in Washington, DC?
At the start of your visit, you and Dr. Berzin will look at each area in good light. Don’t be shy to show her your knees and stomach, too. Be sure to mention any recent sun exposure or tanning, as well. Next, she’ll gently pinch the skin in each spot to see how quickly it springs back. Based on what she sees, she’ll group your areas by device, so you aren’t paying for a treatment that won’t help a particular spot.
Which Areas Respond Best to Skin Tightening?
Usually, mild laxity along your jawline and neck responds well. Your abdomen and knees can improve, too, though Dr. Berzin may suggest more than one session there. For the mid-face, she may pair Thermage with Exilis, which takes 15 to 30 minutes per session with no numbing cream.
For your décolleté, Dr. Berzin may suggest Fraxel Dual, which can also soften sun spots on your chest. You’ll feel prickly heat during the treatment, and your skin may look pink and a little swollen for a day or two.
Typically, these treatments tighten skin without reducing the fat you’d like to keep in your face.
How Many Laser Skin Tightening Sessions Will I Need?
With Thermage, you may need just one session per area, while Fraxel Dual and Exilis usually take a short series spaced a few weeks apart. On the day of your treatment, you’ll feel warmth as the handpiece moves over your skin, and for most laser skin tightening in Washington, DC, you can head back to work afterward. Your skin may look pink for a few days, and you can cover it with makeup once it settles. Keep in mind that your collagen rebuilds gradually, so the full result shows around the four-month mark.
To be on the safe side, skip peels for a month before your laser and wear sunscreen every day.
When Is My Skin Too Loose for Laser Tightening?
If your skin hangs rather than softens, Dr. Berzin will tell you honestly that surgery may give you a better result. In fact, she’d rather point you toward the right option than book sessions that won’t help. For more background, read our posts on your best non-surgical skin tightening options and skin tightening for aging skin.
Dr. Berzin is a consultant and instructor for Thermage, Exilis and Fraxel, and she’s a Fellow of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. Together with Dr. Anju Pabby, she’ll plan your laser skin tightening in Washington, DC one area at a time.
See DC’s Most Trusted Dermatologists
You’ll leave your consultation with Marilyn Berzin, MD, knowing which device fits each area, how many sessions to plan, and what result to expect.
Call DC Derm Docs at 202-822-9591 to book your appointment.
