Forma for Neck Tightening: What to Expect

If you’re dealing with lax and sagging skin because of aging and sun damage, skin tightening is one way to help rejuvenate your skin and reverse the damage that’s been done. InMode’s Forma skin tightening treatment uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to stimulate the production of new collagen, improving skin tone and elasticity. It’s the gold standard of skin tightening treatments.

At Pure Touch Skin Center, our team of aestheticians offers Forma to our patients in Glendale, California, who are looking to tighten up lax skin around their jowls and neck and de-age their appearance. Here’s what you can expect from the treatment.

What is Forma, and how does it work?

Forma is a nonsurgical, noninvasive skin tightening procedure that can be used on the neck and most of the rest of the body, and it’s safe for all skin tones and types. Forma uses a combination of heat and RF energy to lift, tighten, and contour your skin by increasing collagen production.

Collagen is a fibrous structural protein that keeps your skin smooth and elastic. Even though you have a lot of it while you’re young, by the time you reach your mid-20s, your body starts decreasing production. This leads to the fine lines, wrinkles, and sags characteristic of aging skin.

Collagen production, though, can be jump started by external means, such as with the Forma device. This auto-adjusting technology uses RF energy to heat up the dermal (middle) skin layer, where collagen normally resides. The tissue interprets the heat as a type of “wound,” and it works to heal the wound by producing new collagen cells to strengthen and support the tissue.

Is it safe? Painful?

Forma is FDA-approved for use on any skin type, which makes it safer than many other laser-type procedures. The technology auto-adjusts to ensure your skin receives the correct level of heat at all times.

The procedure is pain-free, and many patients compare it to having a hot stone massage. Since the wand auto-adjusts the heat delivery, it ensures your skin won’t burn and you won’t feel any pain. Though some people experience a bit of redness after the procedure, it generally subsides in an hour or so. Because the heat works at the dermal level, you won’t have any downtime afterward.

The appointment only takes about 30 minutes for the average body part, such as the neck. You can decide to do multiple body parts, such as the face (e.g. forehead, jowls), arms, thighs, and abdomen; each part takes an additional 30 minutes since the treatment uses only a single wand. Many people who are getting just a single area treated fit in the session on their lunch hour, heading right back to work afterward.

Who is a good candidate for Forma?

Forma is a great option for just about anyone who wants a noninvasive skin tightening procedure anywhere on their body. That said, if you have sensitive skin or any kind of chronic skin condition, you should consult with your physician before coming in for the treatment.

We should also note that Forma is not a weight-loss tool and should not be used as a substitute for exercise or a healthy diet. However, paired with diet and exercise, you can achieve even better results.

How often do I need a Forma treatment?

Jump starting collagen production isn’t an immediate process; it’s one that takes place gradually over weeks and months. Although you’ll see some improvement after each session, you won’t see maximum results for some time.

We’ve found that most patients need multiple treatments — at least five sessions — for best results, and you should schedule them at least two to three days apart to be safe.

After your skin reaches maximum improvement, you can schedule maintenance sessions scheduled either less often or further apart. With proper maintenance, your results can last up to four years.

Are you tired of a crepey neck that makes you look and feel old? Pure Touch Skin Center can help with the Forma platform. To get started, give us a call at our Glendale location to set up a consultation with one of our aestheticians, or send us a message online today.