Minimally-Invasive Options for Shaping and Firming Flabby Upper Arms
If you want to slim down and tighten loose skin on your upper arms, combining liposuction to remove fat with skin tightening procedures can improve arm contours without extensive surgery.
Arm liposuction and skin tightening offer two approaches for enhancing arm contours and tone. But how do you determine which is right for you?
This guide provides an in-depth look at arm liposuction versus skin tightening treatments. We’ll compare surgical and nonsurgical techniques, so you can make an informed decision about the best options for your goals. Read on to learn all about effectively slimming and firming up your arms!
What Are the Non-Surgical Options for Skin Tightening?
Before considering surgery, it helps to know your nonsurgical skin tightening choices. Treatments like Thermage, Ultherapy, and radiofrequency (RF) energy use advanced technology to firm and lift skin. Here’s an overview of how these popular options work:
Thermage
Thermage uses radiofrequency energy to heat the deeper dermal layer of the skin. This stimulates your body’s natural collagen renewal process, creating tighter, smoother skin over time.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy is another radiofrequency treatment, but it also uses focused ultrasound energy. This allows heat delivery deeper under the skin to boost collagen growth. The handheld device is moved around the treatment areas, sending pulses into the tissue.
Radiofrequency Treatments
These treatments use RF energy to gently heat the dermis. This kickstarts collagen production to tighten skin over time. Sessions typically last around 30 minutes with zero downtime afterward.
Who is a Good Candidate for Non-Surgical Skin Tightening?
If you have mild to moderate loose or sagging skin on your arms with good skin elasticity still present, you can be a great candidate for nonsurgical skin tightening procedures. These treatments also work best on relatively small areas of skin laxity rather than significant drooping. If you hope to avoid surgery and downtime, skin tightening injections present an effective, non-invasive approach.
What Results Can You Expect with Non-Surgical Treatments?
Patients often see a noticeable lifting and tightening effect after a single treatment session, with results becoming more pronounced over the 3-6 months following as collagen regeneration takes place.
About 1-3 sessions spaced a month or more apart are typically needed to achieve optimal smoothing and firming. Some patients undergo maintenance sessions yearly or as needed to sustain their youthful look.
While not as dramatic or long-lasting as surgery, non-surgical skin tightening can make arms look smoother and firmer for up to a year or more per treatment. These methods work best for earlier signs of skin laxity rather than severely drooping skin. Your provider can advise you on expected outcomes based on your individual condition.
What About Combined Liposuction and Skin Tightening?
For those bothered by both stubborn fat pockets and mild skin looseness on their arms, combining liposuction with laser skin tightening could provide appealing results with less downtime compared to arm lift surgery.
Here’s an overview of what the research shows about this combined approach:
Recent Studies
Some studies have compared traditional arm lift surgery to a combined treatment using liposuction to remove fat paired with laser skin tightening procedures. The results showed that the combined lipo and laser therapy provided similar satisfaction rates as a traditional arm lift. Patients also reported less pain, quicker recovery, and faster return to normal activities.
However, proper patient selection seems key. The best candidates had moderate arm sagging and good skin elasticity prior to treatment. For those with severe skin laxity, the traditional arm lift surgery provided longer-lasting contour improvements.
But for many patients, the combined approach offered a less invasive option with good outcomes.
Benefits of Combined Treatment
Using liposuction and skin tightening together allows for:
- Removal of unwanted fat through liposuction
- Tightening of loose skin using laser or RF energy
- Less discomfort and faster recovery than surgery
- Avoiding surgical incisions and scarring
- Enhanced arm shape and tone in a single treatment
For those wishing to avoid a complex surgery, combined liposuction and skin tightening presents a compelling alternative. Discuss your options with a cosmetic surgeon to determine if you are a suitable candidate.
What Are the Different Arm Lift Techniques?
There are a few main types of brachioplasty techniques plastic surgeons may use to lift and tighten the arms:
Traditional Brachioplasty
This involves an incision running from the elbow to the armpit area. Excess fat and skin are removed, then the remaining skin lifted and tightened. The scar is concealed on the inner arm.
Limited Incision Brachioplasty
A shorter scar brachioplasty uses an incision running about half the length of the upper arm. This targets a more limited treatment zone for skin/fat removal compared to a traditional brachioplasty.
Liposuction-Assisted Brachioplasty
Combining liposuction to remove fat with a smaller incision brachioplasty lift can reduce scarring. The lipo addresses excess fat while the lift focuses on skin removal and tightening in a more limited area.
The technique chosen depends on how much correction is needed and your surgeon’s recommendation. Be sure to see before/after photos and understand the pros and cons of each approach.
Consider Your Options for Arm Rejuvenation
If you want to finally feel confident and comfortable in sleeveless tops, know that arm liposuction and lift procedures can help.
Whether you opt for liposuction, a surgical arm lift, non-invasive skin tightening or a strategic combination, clear communication with your plastic surgeon is key. Together you can develop a customized treatment plan to achieve your ideal aesthetic outcome.
