The world of skin tightening has always been an intriguing topic to both plastic surgeons and patients. There are currently two devices on the market that provide an option for skin tightening that can be done as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with other treatments such as liposuction. It is important to remember before we start this discussion that neither of the device are a replacement for a tummy tuck or neck lift surgery. They can bridge the gap for patients that need some skin tightening but don’t need a full tummy tuck or neck lift. They are also an option for patients that have loose skin, but just are not ready for a tummy tuck and or neck lift.
Both the BodyTite and Renuvion Skin Rejuvenation are radiofrequency skin tightening devices that have cannulas that go under the skin. The fact that both devices have a cannula that is actually placed under the skin they are able to use a higher amount of energy to that leads to a greater affect in terms of skin tightening.
Renuvion has the advantage that it combines the radiofrequency energy with helium. The benefit of the helium is that it almost instantly cools the area so that there is less risk for injury to the superficial skin. This design allows for Renuvion to be used in combination with large body contouring surgeries such as Brazilian Butt Lifts without adding an enormous amount of time to the surgery. The Renuvion Skin Rejuvenation can be used in a variety of areas, typically any area that is liposcutioned such as the abdomen, back and neck etc…
BodyTite is also a great product in that it uses radiofrequency energy as well to tighten skin with a specialized cannula. BodyTite in unique in that it comes with a variety of hand pieces and can be combined to do several different treatments. It can be used in combination with microneedling and converted to a much smaller hand piece to do a treatment called AccuTite that is used around the peri-orbital area. However, since it does not have the helium or another rapid cooling system it does take a little longer to do treatments. In most cases this extra time is not an issue. In our large body contouring procedures, I would recommend doing the Renuvion as it can decrease the overall surgical time.
In summary both devices are great skin tightening devices. The both have advantages that may make them better choices in specific situations. It is important to remember that neither of these devices (or any other device on the market) is a replacement for surgery. They are an incredible leap for forward in technology, however they do not replace a tummy tuck or neck lift. It is important to consult with your Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss if Renuvion/BodyTite or surgery is the best option to help you achieve the aesthetic results you desire.