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It was over coffee that a friend and I came to the recognition that skincare products (for me) and facials (for her) were no longer cutting it. Our conversation went something like this: “I heard X treatment is the best for tightening skin.” “Oh, I heard that Y is a newer, better version of X.” “Yikes, I heard that Y can melt your face.” Thanks to leaps in innovation, skincare has evolved beyond what you put on your skin to include everything from at-home tools to in-office treatments that promise to lift, tighten and improve texture. But what’s worth your time, relative to the pain to your face (and your wallet)? All skin-tightening treatments work by using different types of energy to create controlled injuries that trigger collagen production, explains Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Facet Dermatology in Toronto. Each type of energy is essentially a brand name. While topicals like retinol only reach the surface, clinical treatments go deeper. EmFace, Sofwave and ProLift HIFU are newcomers to the game, but tried-and-true options like Ultherapy and Thermage are considered the gold standard. For patients with mature or severely lax skin, “non-surgical options aren’t going to give results,” Yadav cautions. “But for those with mild to moderate sagging, they can be excellent.”
Photography courtesy of Dr. Geeta Yadav
Karmen LaMer opened Tight Clinic in Toronto after going through cancer treatment and witnessing the toll it took on her own skin. What began with a single skin device (Forma) has grown into a clinic with 38 staff, including physicians, nurses, laser technicians, massage therapists and even a tattoo artist. “I will let any staff member do any treatment on me,” says LaMer. “The trust is real.” LaMer regularly travels to keep apprised of developing technologies and recently returned from Korea and Japan to test the latest innovations. “The technology and techniques there are years ahead of where we are here and way more affordable,” she says. She pilots offerings overseas and then brings in only what delivers. “I want to see the Health Canada papers; I want to see the clinical data around efficacy.” She keeps a massive archive of before-and-afters to help clients get a realistic sense of what to expect. In an industry that is known for being a bit opaque, LaMer is known for her unflinching honesty.
Photography courtesy of Karmen LaMer
Both experts agree: The provider matters as much as the technology. Yadav cautions, “Anyone can buy a piano, but not everyone can play.” LaMer pleads, “Save your money and go somewhere reputable.” What about at-home devices? According to Yadav, they’re weaker but still beneficial with consistent use. These devices don’t cause controlled injuries to the skin, but they improve the skin’s texture through other means. Look for proprietary data to ensure that the specific product’s claims are clinically proven. “They’re safe and effective if used correctly, but the results won’t be dramatic,” she says. The takeaway? The future of skin tightening isn’t in a jar; it’s in controlled, precise energy. And while that may cost more than a bottle of serum, the right treatment can be an investment in your future skin.
Forma Facial vs. HIFU vs. Ultherapy
These tried-and-true professional treatments go deeper for visible results.
Forma
Forma stimulates collagen through radio-frequency heat, helping lift and tighten skin. It’s effective for any skin condition, but its prevention game is stronger than its corrective game. It’s great for an instant lift to look snatched for an event. Results are subtle but noticeable, especially with consistent sessions. How It Feels: It feels so good, like a hot-stone massage for your face. The Commitment: Start with six weekly sessions. Then maintain with a single session once every one to two years, depending on your goals. The Cost: About $250 per treatment.
Prolift HIFU
This high-intensity focused ultrasound targets the SMAS layer, the same structure addressed in a surgical facelift. It’s both preventive and corrective, perfect for lifting jowls, smoothing the neck and firming sagging skin. Results improve over several months. “We’ve never had a client unhappy with ProLift HIFU—ever,” says LaMer. How It Feels: Spicy but tolerable. The Commitment: Three sessions spaced six weeks apart to start and then once a year or every two years. The Cost: About $900 per treatment.
Ultherapy
About $3,000 A trusted, long-standing standard in non-surgical lifting, Ultherapy uses ultrasound to heat deep beneath the skin, firming the jawline, smoothing the neck and lifting the brows. Results build gradually over two to three months, and a single session can last a year or more. How It Feels: It’s painful. Our experts reported that most of their patients use numbing cream and prescription painkillers. “It is a real treatment,” says Yadav. The Commitment: One treatment every one to two years. The Cost: About $3,000.
In Your Hands
The very best at-home energy treatments on the market.
Silk’n Titan Multi-Platform
Uses thermally regulated radio-frequency energy to smooth wrinkles and tighten skin safely. It maintains optimal heat levels that feel nice, with no chance of burn. [cta affiliate=”skimlinks” align=”center” format=”button” url=”https://www.silkn.ca/skin-tightening/titan-multiplatform-with-free-gel-SKUS000057.html”]Shop Now[/cta]
Ziip Halo
The Ziip Halo uses cutting-edge Nanocurrent and Microcurrent. A pleasant pulse visibly reduces wrinkles, lifts skin, boosts collagen and evens skin tone. [cta affiliate=”skimlinks” align=”center” format=”button” url=”https://ziipbeauty.ca/products/ziip-halo-microcurrent-device?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22157572501&gbraid=0AAAAAqxeqBs5fjY1xs2gzk4GA1Dv8dqxU&gclid=Cj0KCQjw18bEBhCBARIsAKuAFEan_Ff3ZJBh1YCnT3V3zvU4XSezpnhdFeVg7pElFto4WvyFSTjMIg8aAgWDEALw_wcB”]Shop Now[/cta]
Hooga Ultra 360 Red Light Panel
Powerful and comprehensive, it delivers red-light therapy at all the optimal wavelengths for enhanced skin rejuvenation and collagen boosting. A desktop-size panel can easily target the face, neck and chest. [cta affiliate=”skimlinks” align=”center” format=”button” url=”https://hoogahealth.com/products/ultra-360?srsltid=AfmBOooivFc4qQjqW1GsSm9_mHGScAVxKIzwoaLJVyc4T9aNIXQP5L61″]Shop Now[/cta]
Therabody TheraFace Mask
This mask uses red-, infrared- and blue-light therapies, combined with pleasant tension-relieving vibration, for firmer, smoother and healthier-looking skin thanks to a whopping 648 medical-grade LEDs. Delivers clinically proven results in minimal time. [cta affiliate=”skimlinks” align=”center” format=”button” url=”https://www.therabody.ca/products/theraface-mask”]Shop Now[/cta] This article first appeared in FASHION’s Summer 2025 issue. Find out more here. Continue Reading
