Cervical facial skin tightening with an infrared device

Improvement of facial and cervical skin laxity has been difficult to achieve without surgical procedures. A device called the Titan, (Cutera, Inc., Brisbane, California) uses infrared light to volumetrically heat the dermis. It is designed to thermally induce collagen contraction, with subsequent collagen remodeling and neocollagen synthesis. The epidermis is protected via pre-, parallel, and post-treatment cooling. Because there is minimal to no discomfort during the procedure, no anesthesia is necessary. With this device, improvements in skin laxity and facial and neck contours have been achieved. Results can vary, however. This variation may be caused by patient selection variability and differences in technique. This article presents an effective approach to patient selection, evaluation, and treatment planning, and a detailed treatment protocol.