Weight loss, fat loss, and aging can all lead to sagging skin. For years, the only way to tighten loose skin was with invasive surgery. Now, there’s Renuvion, which combines radiofrequency energy and helium gas to create plasma energy that tightens the skin.
Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva now offers Renuvion to patients at her practice in Newport Beach, California. Whether used on its own or combined with another cosmetic treatment, Renuvion can help patients feel more confident about their appearance.
What is Renuvion?
Renuvion is an FDA-approved, state-of-the-art technology that surgeons use to ablate, coagulate, or cut soft tissue through a minimally invasive process. The procedure relies on helium, a stable gas that turns into plasma at low temperatures.
Radiofrequency (RF) energy combines with helium gas, producing a stream of plasma. The plasma produces heat, which causes the collagen in the treated area to contract, helping skin to tighten. To improve patient comfort and minimize the risk of burns, extra helium gas flows through the treatment area, causing instant cooling.
Compared to other skin tightening methods that use ultrasound, laser, or RF energy on their own, Renuvion is incredibly precise. It also uses cooler temperatures to tighten the skin. The device heats to 85 degrees Celsius quickly, allowing for optimal skin contraction with minimal damage to the surrounding area.
Candidates for Renuvion
Candidates for Renuvion include men and women who have areas of loose skin that they would like to tighten and rejuvenate without extensive downtime. People who are considering Renuvion should have a realistic idea of what the treatment can and can’t do. It’s also important that candidates be in good overall health.
Often, Renuvion is combined with another procedure, such as liposuction. Someone who wants liposuction might also be concerned about skin laxity in the treated area after the fat is gone. Renuvion helps to create a smooth, toned look without the need for additional surgery.
Areas Renuvion Can Treat
Renuvion can help to tighten the skin in several areas of the body. Whether performed with another procedure or on its own, some of the areas Renuvion can treat include:
- Neck
- Jowls/Cheeks
- Thighs
- Hips
- Abdomen
- Upper arms
- Buttocks
About the Renuvion Consultation in Orange County
Before any cosmetic treatment, a consultation with your plastic surgeon is a must. The consultation gives the patient the chance to learn more about the procedure and to get to know the surgeon. It also gives the surgeon an opportunity to learn more about the patient’s goals and reasons for wanting a particular treatment.
During a Renuvion consultation, Dr. Ho Taghva will ask the patient what they hope to get from the treatment and if they would like to combine it with another procedure, such as liposuction.
Dr. Ho Taghva will also perform a medical exam and ask questions about the patient’s health history to confirm that they are a good candidate for the procedure. She’ll then go over what patients can expect on the day of treatment, what they can do to prepare, and how long they’ll need to recover afterward.
The Renuvion Procedure
What happens during the Renuvion procedure depends in large part on whether the patient is having a second procedure performed or not. If the patient has decided to have liposuction and to have Renuvion performed to tighten the skin in the treated area, the liposuction will be performed first.
The type of anesthesia used during the procedure depends both on whether there is an additional surgery taking place and on the patient’s preference. If a more invasive surgical procedure is being performed, the patient might be given general anesthesia, which would put them completely to sleep.
If Renuvion is performed on its own, the patient might only be given a local anesthetic. Some people prefer sedation and a local anesthetic during the treatment. They won’t be fully out of it but also won’t be fully awake. Dr. Ho Taghva can discuss the anesthesia options with you to help you choose the one that will work best.
During the Renuvion procedure itself, the plastic surgeon inserts the device, which consists of a long, thin cannula (hollow tube), sub-dermally. The device heats up to 85 degrees Celsius nearly instantly. It then returns to baseline temperatures in under a second. The rapid heating and cooling allow for optimal collagen contraction.
Renuvion Recovery and Aftercare
How long recovery takes after Renuvion depends on whether the treatment was combined with another procedure or not.
If you have Renuvion on its own, you can usually go back to your regularly scheduled life almost right away. There might be some redness, swelling, or pain in the treated area, but that should fade within a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen are usually effective at easing any pain and swelling.
Patients who combine Renuvion with another treatment usually need a longer recovery time. Initial recovery after surgery and Renuvion can take at least a week, if not two. Dr. Ho Taghva will give patients a more accurate idea of what to expect based on the procedures they choose.
Renuvion Side Effects and Risks
Side effects after Renuvion are rare but can include bleeding, unintended burns, pigmentation changes, and infection. Some of the risks of the procedure include helium embolism and nerve injury.
Other risks and side effects might occur that are associated with any additional procedures performed. One way to minimize the chance of risks and side effects is to work with a board-certified, experienced plastic surgeon.
Complementary Procedures for Renuvion
Renuvion can be performed alongside any body contouring or rejuvenating procedures. A common complementary procedure is liposuction. Renuvion is often performed after liposuction to help reduce skin sagging and laxity.
A neck lift is another common complementary procedure. Renuvion can tighten loose skin in the jowls and neck area, creating a more youthful and energetic appearance.
Renuvion FAQs
Anesthesia is usually used during Renuvion. The type of anesthesia is up to the patient and depends on whether the treatment is performed on its own or with another procedure.
Anesthesia keeps you from feeling any discomfort or pain during the Renuvion treatment itself. Afterward, any discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Skin will look visibly tighter immediately after treatment with Renuvion. As the collagen continues to shrink and tighten, patients will see a continued improvement in the appearance of their skin over several months.
Results from Renuvion are very long-lasting, although the skin will continue to change with age. Some laxity might return due to the aging process.
Most people get the results they want after a single Renuvion treatment.
The incisions made during the treatment are very small, so any resulting scars will also be very small. If performed after liposuction, the surgeon will most likely use the same incisions, so there won’t be additional scarring.
If you live near Newport Beach, CA, LEA Plastic Surgery offers Renuvion among its services, and is conveniently located at 20360 SW Birch Street Suite 180 Newport Beach, CA 92660
Schedule a Renuvion Consultation with Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva in Orange County
Dr. Goretti Ho Taghva is a board-certified, Ivy League-educated plastic surgeon serving patients in Orange County, CA. She’s known for helping her patients reach their unique aesthetic goals and for providing natural-looking results.
Dr. Ho Taghva is pleased to offer patients the option of non-surgical skin tightening with Renuvion. Whether you want to look more youthful or reduce skin laxity after weight loss or fat reduction, call 949-523-2528 to schedule a consultation in Newport Beach, CA, today.
