A much-needed reminder: Aging skin is not something to be ashamed of or feel like you “need” to change. Sagging, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture are normal, natural, and—honestly—a privilege. They’re indications that you’re living life to the fullest, and all those changes to your skin tell a story. But if that’s not a story you want to share with the world, we get it. Everyone wants to feel confident in their skin, and if excess skin is standing in the way of that, you have options.
But let’s get real about the options you see on social media: Skin-firming lotions may provide a super-small and temporary plumping effect, but they won’t provide any lasting results. And the same goes for facial exercises, which have very limited evidence that they do much of anything. This is why so many dermatologists and plastic surgeons on social media are (thankfully) no longer pretending that you can “zap” away excess skin under your chin with at-home devices and instead are suggesting you save your money for permanent and professional options—the latest of which is called Renuvion.
The basics of Renuvion
According to Gabriel Chiu, DO, plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, all the devices you’ve heard about at your local medspa or doctor’s office are variations on older technology (like radiofrequency and ultrasound). But not Renuvion: “The Renuvion technology isn’t something that’s ever been used in aesthetics before [now],” he says. Not only is it a “one-and-done” treatment, it is the only device that can cause immediate skin-tightening without risking injury to the skin or causing a burn, Dr. Chiu explains.
Ahead, with the help of Dr. Chiu, Lesley Rabach, MD, facial plastic surgeon, and David Shafer, MD, plastic surgeon, we’re breaking down all there is to know about this treatment, including how Renuvion works, who’s a good candidate for the procedure, and why it is suddenly in high demand.
What is the Renuvion procedure?
Renuvion, formerly known as J-Plasma, is an aesthetic treatment that can be used in two different ways to renew skin. The first way is by using it as a non-invasive treatment that serves as an alternative to laser-skin resurfacing (which uses light and energy beams to tighten skin, approve the appearance of wrinkles or scars, and to even out discoloration).
But Renuvion’s most popular use, says Dr. Shafer, is for skin tightening that’s minimally invasive (emphasis on “minimally,” because all it requires is a small incision that allows the the device to penetrate your skin). “During the procedure, a thin wand is inserted internally just under the skin to deliver energy directly to the tissue,” says Dr. Shafer.
That energy is a combo of radiofrequency energy (RF) and helium gas, which creates what’s known as cold plasma. Though it’s called “cold” plasma, it’s actually extremely hot. “It heats the tissue to greater than 85°C [185°F] for about 0.08 seconds,” says Dr. Rabach. That combination of super-high temperatures and super-fast treatment allows Renuvion to significantly tighten skin without damaging it.
According to Dr. Chiu, Renuvion is the first device ever to receive FDA clearance for the contraction of hypodermis (also known as the subcutaneous tissue), “which is as close as the FDA has ever come to saying ‘skin tightening‘ in a clearance,” he says. It’s also the first and only device cleared to use in conjunction with liposuction (though it can also be used without).
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What exactly does Renuvion treat?
If you’re using Renuvion on the skin’s surface, it can help tackle fine lines, wrinkles, and folds, while also offering some improvement to minor skin laxity. But the real magic happens when Renuvion’s cold plasma energy is delivered beneath the skin—basically, anywhere that’s soft or “flabby” can be targeted by Renuvion, especially when used in conjunction with liposuction (the preferred pairing, says Dr. Shafer).
Dr. Chiu has used Renuvion as a surgery-free alternative to face lifts, neck lifts, arm lifts, breast lifts, and butt lifts, as well as to improve the look of cellulite and stretch marks. In Dr. Shafer’s practice, “the most popular treatment areas are the neck, abdomen, flanks, thighs, knees and bra rolls,” he says, adding that it’s an excellent procedure for someone who is a few pounds away from their goal weight and wants to tighten up their skin. “The Ozempic weight-loss trend has increased the number of patients seeking treatment exponentially,” he says.
Can anyone get Renuvion?
“Renuvion is best suited towards people with mild to moderate amounts of skin laxity, who are at a stable weight, and who are physically and emotionally healthy,” says Dr. Rabach. Renuvion must also be used carefully on anyone with a deeper skin tone, experts say. “Performing Renuvion on the surface of a darker-skinned patient would not be recommended,” says Dr. Chiu, “just like any laser resurfacing on [deeper skin tones] is not recommended due to the risk of hypopigmentation,” (i.e., patches of skin that are lighter than your overall skin tone). But if it’s being used under your skin, Renuvion should be safe for any skin tones.
How long do Renuvion results last?
Renuvion isn’t a treatment like Botox, which wears off a few months after the appointment. “Since Renuvion is actually causing a heat-based instant contraction of the skin and subdermal connective tissue, the treated tissues are effectively ‘reset,’“ says Dr. Chiu. “Aging will continue, of course, but the tightening effect of Renuvion is not a short-term result.“
“In the right candidate, Renuvion results can last upwards of five years,” Dr. Rabach adds. And remember, those results can be accomplished in just one session, depending on your case. To best maintain your results, you’ll want to avoid behaviors that damage collagen and thus lead to skin laxity, such as smoking or laying out in the sun without SPF. Dr. Shafer also suggests maintaining your results with treatments from energy-based devices. Consider treatments like Morpheus8, which combines deeper microneedling with a potent dose of radiofrequency energy.
Can Renuvion replace plastic surgery?
Unfortunately, there is not a single aesthetic procedure out there that can genuinely replace invasive surgery. But Renuvion is still a great option for many. “Depending on the specific patient and their goals, it can be a great surgical-like alternative with impactful results without excising the skin,” says Dr. Shafer. Renuvion is a solid middle ground between your typical energy-based treatment and plastic surgery: “Studies have shown that the skin-tightening effects are approximately 50 percent of what a surgical neck lift is,” says Dr. Rabach.
If you’re dealing with laxity, but not much excess skin, Renuvion may suit you. The only way to know for sure is to book a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who offers both traditional surgery and Renuvion—your doctor will be able to help you understand your best options and create a treatment plan. “This is a wonderful tool in the right patient and the right surgeon’s hands,” Dr. Rabach adds.
What are the side effects of Renuvion?
All aesthetic treatments that deliver heat to the skin come with a risk of burn, but the risk is “unbelievably low” with Renuvion, says Dr. Chiu. “The all-time burn rate attributable to using Renuvion is only 0.02 percent.” Other risks include scarring, swelling, discomfort, bleeding, and changes to skin color—the same ones you’d find from pretty much any aesthetic procedure.
The best way to decrease your risk of side effects from Renuvion is to seek treatment from a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in performing the procedure; make sure you feel comfortable with your doctor. “Red flags are not being allowed to meet the surgeon until the day of surgery, no attention to your medical history before booking surgery, performing the procedure in a non-accredited facility, and feeling rushed or pressured by the staff,” explains Dr. Shafer.
What to expect during a Renuvion treatment
As mentioned, Renuvion can tighten skin and tissue all over the face, neck, and body. The size of the treatment area and whether or not you decide to pair your procedure with liposuction will determine what kind of sedation you need. “Just like liposuction alone, Renuvion is usually recommended to be performed under general anesthesia, although smaller areas of both can be done under local or sedation,” says Dr. Chiu.
Most of Dr. Rabach’s cases involve larger or multiple areas, so he prefers general anesthesia. Local anesthesia plus sedation may be enough to treat smaller areas. “In some neck cases, it can just be local anesthesia with oral anxiolysis [a light sedative, such as Valium],” says Dr. Rabach.
Once you are comfortable, a small incision will be made, and a local anesthetic will be injected into the hypodermis, which is the deepest layer of skin (below the dermis and closest to the muscle). This is the same process for liposuction; if you’re getting lipo, your doctor will perform that first, then move on to Renuvion. Your doctor will insert the Renuvion wand into the incision and move it around as the cold plasma heats the skin, contracting tissue fibers and tightening things up.
“Depending on the location, a Renuvion treatment can take about 30 minutes to two hours,” says Dr. Shafer. Once your doctor is done and any residual helium has left the treatment area, they’ll stitch up the incision. This is an outpatient procedure, so you won’t have to stay at a hospital overnight for any monitoring. You will likely be groggy from any form of anesthesia you had, so someone will need to drive you home after your Renuvion appointment.
Recovery from Renuvion looks similar to that of recovering from liposuction. You’ll wear a compression garment for at least several days and possibly up to two weeks. “This will minimize the normal post-operative swelling and support the tissues for proper recovery,” explains Dr. Chiu. “Some patients have lymphatic massage performed to reduce swelling,” adds Dr. Rabach. Dr. Shafer says that most of his patients take a few days off from work to heal, but you may need more time. “After two weeks, many can perform non-impact activities and be back to full activities in four to five weeks,” says Dr. Chiu.
Final takeaway
Renuvion is a powerful and effective procedure that bridges the gap between non-invasive treatments and plastic surgery to help significantly tighten soft, sagging skin. While it isn’t a substitute for surgery, it can dramatically improve those with moderate skin laxity and provide results that last longer than five years—all with just one treatment.
If you’re a good candidate for Renuvion, you’ll want to see a board-certified plastic surgeon for a consultation. A skilled board-certified plastic surgeon minimizes possible risks and side effects from Renuvion, including burns, scarring, and swelling. During your appointment, your doctor will discuss your medical history with you, examine and evaluate your concerns, and determine whether or not Renuvion will deliver results that will meet your expectations. “For the right patient with reasonable goals but does not want the scars or downtime of surgery, Renuvion may be the perfect choice,” says Dr. Chiu.