Pros and Cons of Renuvion Skin Tightening

Loose skin is a common problem for many people. Aging, weight loss, pregnancy and other factors can contribute to saggy skin on the arms, abdomen, thighs and other areas. Renuvion®, also known as J-Plasma, is an off-label option for tightening skin that comes with both pros and cons for patients.

What Is J-Plasma or Renuvion?

Renuvion, previously called J-Plasma, is a minimally-invasive procedure that is used by some plastic surgeons and dermatologists for skin tightening. Its FDA approval is for ablation of soft tissue during surgical procedures, but it has been used for years as an off-label skin tightening treatment.

Renuvion uses cold plasma energy to contract collagen in the skin. This is accomplished with a combination of helium gas and radiofrequency (RF) waves. The procedure can be used under the skin through tiny incisions, creating deep skin tightening without plastic surgery.

Those with skin laxity due to aging, weight loss or pregnancy can benefit from skin tightening. J-Plasma is often combined with liposuction to tighten the skin after the excess fat is removed. This can offer improved body contouring over using liposuction or Renuvion as stand-alone procedures.

Pros of Renuvion Skin Tightening

Plastic surgery lift procedures are effective at removing and tightening excess skin. However, they do require surgery and there will be scars left behind from the procedure. Renuvion is a “scarless” alternative to surgeries like tummy tucks, arm lifts, thigh lifts and mastopexy (breast lift).

Renuvion has an immediate impact on the skin by creating an instant contraction of the collagen. However, the long-term results occur over several months after the procedure as more collagen is produced.

Although there are tiny incisions used with subdermal Renuvion skin tightening treatments, these are only slightly larger than a needle injection. The scar is usually not visible once it heals, and the procedure is minimally-invasive. Some of the benefits or pros of using J-Plasma for skin tightening include:

• No visible scars
• Slight lifting and tightening of the treatment area without surgery
• Instant collagen contraction with long-term stimulation of collagen production
• Improved definition of the muscle
• May be used on the face, neck or body
• Only one procedure is needed for results
• Minimal downtime, especially in comparison to lift surgeries

J-Plasma offers a great alternative to plastic surgery for many patients. This can be used on its own for those with some slight skin laxity or combined with liposuction to shrink and lift the skin after the fat is removed. Patients can enjoy a more youthful, toned skin appearance that improves for months after the treatment.

Cons of Renuvion Skin Tightening

While Renuvion has provided result for many patients, it may not be right for everyone. It depends on the amount of loose skin and the expectations of the patient. While it can offer skin remodeling and contraction, there are risk factors that must be considered.

When compared to plastic surgery, Renuvion is less dramatic in the results. The skin tightening effect is not the same as removing excess skin – for those with significant excess or saggy skin, plastic surgery will have more impressive and quicker outcomes. Some of the cons of Renuvion include:

• Renuvion is not FDA-approved for skin tightening
• The results can take 6-9 months to completely appear
• Excess loose skin can only be slightly lifted, not to the extent of plastic surgery
• Risks (rare) of the procedure include burns, nerve damage, skin discoloration, infection, scarring, infection or hematomas
• Renuvion requires sedation with either general or local anesthesia
• Downtime can range from a few days to weeks, depending on the procedure
• Renuvion can cost up to several thousand dollars, depending on the areas treated

Any medical procedure can come with risks. While there are many pros for patients using Renuvion, there are also cons that should be considered. This procedure is safest when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon who can minimize any risks for the patient.

Is Renuvion Right for You?

If you were wondering, “What is J-Plasma?” and whether Renuvion may be right for you, reviewing the pros and cons can help you make an informed decision. You will want to consider the benefits of J-Plasma and balance it against the possible risks and slower results to determine if its right for you.

The best candidates for Renuvion skin tightening have slight skin laxity and desire skin tightening without any scarring. Patients who want to improve their skin firmness without the scars or downtime of plastic surgery may want to consider J-Plasma as a stand-alone procedure or combined with liposuction.

Any cosmetic procedure should be carefully considered. If you are interested in learning about skin tightening options for your body or face, schedule a consultation with an experienced plastic surgeon who offers Renuvion skin tightening and other lift procedures.

The information provided on this website, including text, graphics, images, and other materials, is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.