Skin Laxity & Sagging Skin Treatment in Coquitlam, BC

Skin laxity is caused primarily by the progressive breakdown and declining production of collagen and elastin — the two structural proteins in the dermis responsible for keeping skin firm, taut, and able to snap back after movement. This process begins in the mid-20s and accelerates with age, particularly after 40. UV exposure, smoking, environmental pollution, poor nutrition, and excessive alcohol consumption all degrade collagen and elastin more rapidly. Significant or rapid weight loss stretches and damages the collagen fibers in the skin, making it difficult for the skin to retract. Pregnancy causes similar stretching. Genetics also determine how resilient the skin's structural proteins are to these forces over time.

On the face, sagging most commonly affects the jowls and jawline, the skin beneath the chin and along the neck, the brow and upper eyelid area, and the cheeks as the mid-face fat pads descend with age. On the body, loose skin frequently affects the upper arms, abdomen, inner thighs, and décolleté — particularly following significant weight loss or pregnancy. At Smile Well Medical & Spa in Coquitlam, we treat both facial and body skin laxity with treatments selected based on the area, degree of sagging, and underlying cause.

The most effective approach depends on the degree of laxity and the area being treated. Ultherapy is the most clinically established non-surgical treatment for facial lifting — using focused ultrasound to stimulate collagen at the deepest structural skin layer for measurable lifting of the face, brow, and neck. Thread Lift provides more immediate repositioning of descended tissue for patients who want visible results without waiting months for collagen to develop. Secret Needle RF Microneedling and ECO2 Fractional CO2 Laser build collagen progressively for improvement in skin quality and firmness. For most patients, a combination approach addressing both deep structural support and skin quality produces the most comprehensive result. Your provider at Smile Well Medical & Spa will assess your specific degree of laxity and recommend the most appropriate plan.

Ultherapy is unique in its ability to deliver focused ultrasound energy to the SMAS layer — the deepest structural layer of the skin that is typically only addressed during surgical facelifts. By stimulating collagen production at this depth, Ultherapy produces a genuine lifting effect rather than just surface tightening. It also uses real-time ultrasound imaging during treatment, allowing the provider to visualize the tissue layers being treated and ensure energy is delivered precisely where it is most effective. Results develop progressively over three to six months and typically last one to two years.

Yes — for mild to moderate skin laxity, non-surgical treatments at Smile Well Medical & Spa in Coquitlam can produce meaningful, visible improvement without the risks, cost, or recovery associated with surgical procedures. Ultherapy, Thread Lift, RF Microneedling, and fractional laser treatments are all clinically effective options for non-surgical lifting and tightening. For patients with more significant sagging — particularly following major weight loss — a consultation will help determine whether non-surgical treatments can achieve satisfactory results or whether a surgical referral is more appropriate.

This varies by treatment. Ultherapy typically produces progressive results over three to six months following a single session, with many patients achieving significant improvement from one treatment. Thread Lift produces immediate visible lifting that continues to improve as the threads stimulate collagen over the following weeks. RF Microneedling and fractional CO2 laser typically require a series of two to four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart for optimal collagen remodelling results. Sculptra requires a series of sessions with results building over several months. Your provider at Smile Well Medical & Spa will outline a realistic treatment plan and timeline during your consultation.

Yes. Wearing broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily is the single most impactful step in slowing collagen degradation caused by UV exposure. Avoiding smoking eliminates one of the most significant external sources of elastin and collagen breakdown. Staying well hydrated, eating a nutrient-rich diet, maintaining a stable body weight, and avoiding excessive alcohol all support the skin's structural integrity over time. Starting collagen-stimulating professional treatments at Smile Well Medical & Spa in Coquitlam at the appropriate stage of laxity — before sagging becomes significant — consistently produces the most natural and manageable long-term results.