Scientists recently discovered that light and radiofrequency energy can be used to heat deeper layers of the skin while protecting the surface of the skin. This heating activates fibroblasts signaling new collagen to form and existing collagen to tighten over time. The most common areas treated are the face and neck, resulting in firmer, tighter, and lifted jowls, cheeks, neck. The Titan™ utilizes a pulsed broadband infrared source of 850 - 3000 nm. The tightening effects of Titan are immediate but the best results come down the line in when the effects of collagen production become evident. Titan's light-based platform provides a more uniform distribution of energy for heating the deep dermis than other energy sources, such as RF (radio-frequency).

One can an immediate tightening effect after one Titan treatment but best results are seen after three treatments spaced 1 month apart.

In 2007, in the USA, the Aesthetic Trends and Technologies Choice Awards™, nominated the Cutera Titan as best device for skin laxity

The natural ageing process, along with sun damage, causes collagen fibers to stretch and loosen like worn rubber hands, resulting in less elastic skin that eventually droops. Titan tackles this problem by delivering infrared light deep into the dermis, the inner layer of skin where collagen resides, and prompting the collagen to repair itself. The light works in two ways: It heats up the weak collagen, causing it to immediately contract and thickens, and it also creates micro-injuries to the dermis, encouraging it to produce new collagen over a period of months. The result is a smoother, tighter, more toned look that occurs naturally.

1. One of the biggest draws of Titan is that it is almost painless, a major difference between Titan and its predecessor, Thermage, both skin-tightening systems. Both systems work by heating the dermis and contain cooling devices within the hand pieces that continuously control the temperature of the skin's surface.
2. Thermage uses radio-frequency energy, which dermatologists claim is much more intense and harder to control than light energy, making the treatment quite painful. Radio-frequency energy can also go too deep and may destroy fat under the skin resulting in dimpling, unevenness and skin depressions. With Titan, there is no risk of skin irregularity because it doesn't go deeper than the dermis.
3. Patients often ask the difference between Titan and its competitor Thermage. Both are considered the gold standard for skin tightening and both were nominated for the best device for skin laxity.
4. At Skin Renewal, Titan procedures are never performed alone and 99% of Titan treatments are part of our signature treatment, 3D Skin Rejuvenation ™

3 D Skin Rejuvenation is one of the most effective non ablative skin rejuvenation solutions available as it addresses all the layers of the skin and most of the problems that ageing skin has such as

• fine lines,
• deeper wrinkles,
• pores,
• texture
• sallowness
• brown age spots
• redness or rosacea
• facial spider veins
• dehydration
• skin laxity

Separately each clinical application presents a powerful solution for the most in demand, fastest growing procedures with no downtime. Any non surgical treatment modality on its own can make a big difference, but in our eyes it's not sufficient.

Thus in addition to the above procedures, at Skin Renewal 3 D Skin Rejuvenation™ is combined with

• a Radiofrequency procedure TriPollar or Velashape for additional tightening
• Microdermabrasion for skin resurfacing
• Transdermal Mesotherapy with Growth Factors and hyaluronic acid increased rehydration and enhanced collagen stimulation
• And Carboxytherapy for further tightening especially on the neck and around the eye area for improvement of dark circles.

3 D Skin Rejuvenation takes skin tightening to the next level.

Thermage is a skin tightening device that does not address red and brown discolouration, facial spider veins, skin dehydration, sallowness and deeper wrinkles.

In summary, the prospects of "the perfect skin and face" are now possible with Skin Renewal's 3 D Skin Rejuvenation but this usually comes at price. At Skin Renewal we have recognized this problem and have come up with a customized solution to make it more affordable by combining 3 D Skin Rejuvenation in an affordable package over a period of 6 to 12 months. The beauty is that each treatment is accumulative.

As one ages, the skin's elasticity declines dramatically, become evident and gravity constantly pulls on our bodies. Changes related to gravity become more pronounced and one of the earliest signs of facial ageing is the development of jowls or jowling. Previously there was no alternative to surgical face lifts. The choices were fairly black and white; surgery or sagging!

Now with the advent of skin tightening devices ,virtually any patient in their thirties or above can be a candidate for a little tightening and firming and the younger the patient the better the result. Eight out of ten patients get noticeable improvement in skin laxity after first treatment an ten out of ten will be putting collagen " in the bank" for the future.

Perhaps even more promising is the idea that treating skin with lasers earlier on in the ageing process- actually slow or prevent the skin from breaking down and appearing wrinkled and saggy later on in life.

Patients often complain of looking "old" and "jowly" in large part because they have lost significant volume in and around the cheeks, causing them to "sink and sag." Sagging skin is one of the most significant contributors to facial ageing. When the lower parts of the face start dropping, defy gravity by having a skin tightening treatment with Titan® which gently heats up the collagen in the deep dermis and causes a tightening and lifting effect of 1 to 3 mm, enough to make difference and restore youthful contours to the face.

In addition the effects of gravity and the predominance of the brow depressors can cause the brow to droop, lowering the brow and causing an aged look. At Skin Renewal, we also offer Titan as a non surgical alternative to a brow lift. Titan skin tightening heats the collagen fibrils on the brow causing them to shrink. Over a period of time the brow is lifted between 1 to 3 cms which creates a difference. Titan also improves the quantity of collagen in the area.

If one can keep one's skin firm and taught with collagen, then the sagging that takes place over time can be contained as tighter skin supports the face. The new concept today is to start with tightening rejuvenation treatments early so as to and avoid or postpone surgical solutions for as long as possible. Maintaining a young face isn't a sprint - it's a marathon .Rather than waiting until their problems are bothersome again, patients must appreciate that maintenance goes a long way and Titan treatments should be repeated once or twice a year.

The protocol methods for performing tissue tightening treatments have changed since the release of these devices and the results are very dependent on the amount of Titan treatments done.

At Skin Renewal Titan® is one of the star performers of our 3 D Skin Rejuvenation ™ treatments. This combination is one of the most widely used and most effective methods of achieving a significant non surgical "face lift". Botox and fillers can be safely combined with Titan and are usually done after a Titan procedure is administered.

At Skin Renewal thousands of Titan® treatments have been administered to our patients with great results with virtually no side effects. In some rare instances (0,008%) a small burn mark has developed post treatment which resolved without any consequences. The discomfort has decreased with these changes and the chance for more immediate improvement has increased. To evaluate results, we have patients come in for follow-up evaluations visits six months following the treatments.

Yes, all skin types including skin of colour can be safely treated with Titan ®?

Titan Skin Tightening Treatments are available in Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria and Cape Town at the Rivonia, Parkhurst, Sandton, Fourways, Morningside, Bedfordview, Irene, Brooklyn, Cape Quarter, Claremont, Stellenbosch and Willowbridge branches.

Skin Renewal Tip:

To take non surgical face lift to the next level, Titan and 3 D Skin Rejuvenation should be complemented with the Liquid Facelift which addresses volume loss, a common sign of ageing.