Skin Tightening Options by Skin Color

Skin tightening is incredibly popular, especially among the older generation. Although, even younger people can benefit from having some sort of procedure done to tighten loose skin. So, regardless of your age, if your skin is sagging, you should explore your options for treatment.

Can Skin be Too Dark for Skin Tightening Treatment?

You might have heard that tightening procedures for the skin only work on people who have light colored skin. That isn’t entirely the truth. The fact is that there are many cosmetic treatments meant to make the skin tighter and smoother. Some of them work better on those with light colored skin and others can certainly be performed on those with darker skin. It all comes down to how they work.

Why the Difference Between Skin Types Exists

All shades of skin are mostly the same on a molecular level. Each cell has the same components. However, the skin gets its different colors from melanin levels and the distribution of the melanocytes that produce it. Those with darker skin have melanocytes that are distributed differently from those with light colored skin.

Certain skincare procedures can disrupt or damage the melanocytes. That makes them produce more or less pigment in certain areas. Someone with lighter skin won’t have that same problem because their melanocytes are distributed in a different way and less prone to over reaction. But, if your skin is dark, certain skin tightening or other skincare processes could leave you with discolored patches of skin.

Procedures Which May Impact Melanocytes in Dark Skin

Many laser skin procedures can irritate or over-stimulate melanocytes. That’s why, if you want to tighten up sagging skin and have darker pigmentation, you may want to avoid those procedures. However, they are great for most people with lighter skin tones. Also, there are some specialized cosmetic lasers that actually can be used on dark skin.

Another procedure that people with dark skin should avoid is microdermabrasion. It can cause pigment problems, but it has the added issue of removing the epidermal layer. That outer layer of skin tends to have larger oil glands in darker-skinned people. When the oil glands are exposed, acne and other skin problems can pop up.

Like microdermabrasion, chemical peels will remove the top skin layer. However, if you have a dark complexion then you should also be concerned about the potential bleaching that can be caused by the chemicals. They can make the skin on the treated area permanently several shades lighter than the skin outside the treated area. So, if your skin is dark, you are better off not risking such a procedure. In fact, most properly certified technicians will warn you not to have a chemical treatment.

The Best Alternatives for Darker Skin

The best alternatives for darker skin are sound wave-based treatments. Things like ultrasound or radio frequency treatments don’t impact melanin deposits at all. Instead, they just focus on making skin cells produce more collagen. The collagen will then bind the skin cells together and tighten them up. So, don’t let darker skin discourage you from trying one of these treatments, which should be perfectly safe for your complexion.