Comparison of different technologies for noninvasive skin tightening

Facial skin laxity is a bothersome sign of aging. In the past, the only option for treating laxity was surgery. While surgical lifting remains the gold standard, there has been a growing demand among patients for less invasive techniques. Patients are increasingly seeking procedures with little to no downtime, lower risk profiles, and a more natural appearance. The industry has responded to these demands with an emergence of noninvasive skin tightening devices. The rate of development and marketing of these devices has increased exponentially within the last decade. Whereas we previously had no options, now we are faced with many choices. How do we choose which technology is best for our patients? While there is a paucity of comparative trials to date, a critical exploration of these technologies is worthwhile. The underlying mechanism of action of all these treatments is essentially the same: heating of the dermis and subdermal areas while minimizing injury to the epidermis. In this article, we outline the different technologies and highlight the differences to help guide us in selecting the right treatment.