You’ve worked hard to lose weight, maintained a healthy lifestyle, and maybe even had liposuction to contour your hips or midsection but are still bothered by loose, sagging skin that just won’t cooperate no matter what you do. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
The truth is, our skin doesn’t always bounce back the way we hope it will. Whether it’s from pregnancy, weight loss or aging, skin laxity can persist even when everything else looks fantastic. For years, your only options were either living with it or undergoing major surgery. But what if you could tighten the skin with minimal downtime and virtually no visible scarring?
Enter Renuvion, a revolutionary device that’s changing how we think about skin tightening. This FDA-cleared technology combines the precision of plasma with radiofrequency (RF) energy to tighten skin from within, delivering outstanding results without extensive recovery or downtime.
At Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic, Dr. Payne has seen firsthand how this innovative treatment can transform not just how patients look, but how they feel about their bodies. Whether used alongside liposuction or as a standalone treatment, Renuvion can help you say goodbye to loose skin and hello to firmer contours that complement a sculpted figure.
How Does Renuvion® Work?
Renuvion, a body contouring device also known as “J-Plasma,” is a minimally invasive treatment that firms and tightens the skin by combining cold helium plasma with radiofrequency (RF) energy, just below the skin’s surface. This combination results in highly precise tissue contraction and skin tightening, often used as an adjunct to other body contouring procedures. In fact, Renuvion is the only FDA-cleared device for tightening the skin after liposuction.
How Does Renuvion Work?
Renuvion works through a process powered by “plasma energy.” It starts by converting helium, an inert gas, into plasma. When the helium gas is energized, it ionizes and becomes plasma. The plasma is then combined with RF energy and directed over the treatment area. This dual-action energy results in a stream of cold plasma that is less damaging to surrounding tissues than other types of energy.
When applied subdermally (under the skin), the Renuvion device creates an immediate skin-tightening effect. The cold plasma heats the under-surface of the skin to a precise temperature, causing the collagen within the skin to contract. This controlled heating also promotes new collagen production for continued firming over the next six to nine months.
Am I a Good Candidate for Renuvion?
Renuvion, also known as J-Plasma, is generally considered suitable for a wide range of patients, but it is most effective for patients with:
- A desire for skin tightening: The primary use of Renuvion is for skin tightening. This can be beneficial for individuals who have mild to moderate skin laxity and who want to improve the appearance of sagging or loose skin without invasive surgery.
- A liposuction treatment plan: Renuvion is often used as an adjunct to liposuction to improve skin retraction and contouring. Patients who have residual skin laxity after liposuction might be good candidates.
- Good overall health: As with any procedure, candidates should be in good overall health. This reduces the risk of complications and helps to ensure a better recovery.
- Realistic expectations: Ideal candidates should have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve. While Renuvion can help to tighten the skin and improve its appearance, it won’t produce the same results as a more invasive procedure like a facelift or body lift.
- A willingness not to smoke: Smoking can interfere with healing and increase the risk of complications, so non-smokers tend to have better outcomes.
During your consultation, Dr. Payne will thoroughly evaluate your needs, concerns and goals to determine if Renuvion is right for you. If you’re considering liposuction or another body contouring procedure, he will also explain how Renuvion fits into a broader treatment plan and the type of results you can expect by incorporating this advanced skin-tightening device.
What Areas Can Renuvion Treat?
Renuvion is a versatile device that can be used nearly anywhere loose skin is prominent. Popular treatment areas include the:
- Abdomen
- Chest
- Upper arms
- Hands
- Hips and thighs
- Buttocks
- Love handles
- Knees
In addition to contouring the body, Renuvion can also be used to treat loose skin in the neck, chin and jawline to firm and tighten your facial profile. Renuvion and chin liposuction together are a popular combination for eliminating submental fullness, also known as a double chin.
How Is the Renuvion Treatment Performed?
Renuvion uses sophisticated, advanced technology to tighten loose skin, but the procedure itself is relatively straightforward. It begins with Dr. Payne carefully marking the treatment areas and administering local anesthesia. Renuvion is typically performed in conjunction with liposuction and will not affect surgery time significantly — from start to finish, the whole procedure will take less than an hour to complete.
During treatment, Dr. Payne will insert the device beneath the skin through tiny, strategically placed incisions. These entry points are often so small (about 2-3 mm) that they don’t require stitches and heal with little to no visible scarring. When combined with liposuction, Dr. Payne will take advantage of the same entry points. Once the device is beneath the skin, it begins delivering plasma and RF energy in the subdermal space to tighten the skin and pull it closer to the muscle. Renuvion also stimulates new collagen production for long-lasting results.
Unlike older skin-tightening technologies that could be unpredictable, Renuvion delivers consistent, even heating across the entire treatment area. Dr. Payne can see the immediate skin contraction happening in real time, allowing him to ensure optimal coverage and results.
What Kind of Results Can I Expect?
With Renuvion, immediate results are often visible right on the table. Patients frequently express amazement at seeing their skin contract in real-time during the procedure. However, this is just the beginning — the transformation continues over the following months as your body’s natural healing response kicks in, producing new collagen to firm and tighten the skin even further.
Renuvion is a single-treatment procedure that delivers dramatic results you can start to see in as little as days or weeks. Most patients notice their skin feeling firmer within the first week, with visible tightening becoming more apparent as initial swelling subsides. Results continue to improve over time with optimal skin-tightening achieved after three to six months.
Is There Downtime After Renuvion®?
Renuvion is a minimally invasive procedure that involves little to no downtime. While mild bruising and soreness may be expected, patients report minimal or no pain — even right after the procedure. You should be able to resume your normal daily activities on the same day.
When Renuvion is performed alongside liposuction, it doesn’t add significantly to your recovery timeline. However, you’ll need to wear compression garments consistently for the first few weeks to reduce swelling, promote healing and encourage the skin to adapt to your new contours. Dr. Payne will provide detailed aftercare instructions to ensure the best results.
What Side Effects are Possible with Renuvion®?
It’s important to remember that every patient’s body reacts differently to cosmetic procedures and individual side effects and risks can vary. If you are considering a Renuvion treatment, it is essential to discuss these potential side effects and your individual risk factors with your healthcare provider:
- Swelling: This is a common side effect after any surgical procedure. The treated area might swell for several days or weeks following the procedure.
- Bruising: Depending on the exact procedure, there may be some bruising around the treated area following liposuction plus Renuvion.
- Discomfort or pain: Some patients report a feeling of tightness or minor pain following the procedure.
- Infection: As with any procedure that involves penetrating the skin, there is a risk of infection. However, when performed by a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon in a clean environment, this risk is relatively very low.
- Scarring: There is a potential risk of scarring with any surgical procedure. Because Renuvion is minimally invasive, the risk of significant scarring is extremely low.
- Skin burns: The device uses heat, and there is a small risk of burns to the skin or underlying tissues if not utilized by a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon.
- Changes in skin sensation: Some patients may experience changes in skin sensitivity after the procedure, including numbness or tingling. These side effects should resolve with time.
If you notice any concerning symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office — Dr. Payne and his team are committed to ensuring a safe and smooth recovery. Fortunately, thanks to Renuvion’s precision and Dr. Payne’s expertise, serious side effects or complications are rare.
How Does Renuvion Compare to Other Skin-Tightening Options?
When considering any cosmetic procedure, patients often feel overwhelmed by the options available. Understanding how Renuvion stacks up against other popular treatments can help you make an informed decision about what’s right for your goals and lifestyle. The key differences usually come down to invasiveness, downtime, results and longevity — factors that vary significantly between different devices and treatment types.
Renuvion occupies the middle ground between noninvasive treatments and major surgical procedures. Unlike other options that use ultrasound or RF energy to firm and tighten the skin, Renuvion works from within to deliver optimal results. However, as a minimally invasive treatment, it does have limitations and cannot treat significant sagging or the loose skin that remains after pregnancy or weight loss. These concerns are better addressed by surgical procedures like a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), arm lift (brachioplasty) or thigh lift (thighplasty).
| Treatment | Invasiveness | Downtime | Results | Best For |
| Renuvion | Minimally invasive | Minimal | 5+ years | Mild to moderate skin laxity |
| Tummy tuck | Surgical | 4-8 weeks | Permanent | Excess skin and severe skin laxity |
| Arm or thigh lift | Surgical | 4-6 weeks | Permanent | Excess skin and severe skin laxity |
| CoolSculpting | Noninvasive | None | Permanent | Fat reduction only |
| Radiofrequency | Noninvasive | None | 1-3 years | Mild skin laxity |
Ready to Learn More About Renuvion?
If you’re tired of dealing with loose skin that won’t respond to diet and exercise, Renuvion could be the solution you’ve been looking for. Contact Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic today at 713-461-8866 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Payne and discover how this innovative treatment can help you achieve the confident, contoured appearance you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Renuvion painful?
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the Renuvion procedure is. Since it's typically performed alongside liposuction under local anesthesia, you won't feel the treatment itself. Afterward, patients often describe some tightness and mild discomfort, but nothing that interferes with daily activities. Over-the-counter pain medication is usually sufficient for any post-treatment soreness.
How long do Renuvion results last?
The results from Renuvion are considered permanent because the treatment creates actual structural changes in your skin's collagen network. However, your skin will continue to age naturally over time. Most patients enjoy improved skin tightness for many years, with some seeing benefits lasting a decade or more. The key is maintaining a stable weight and protecting your skin from sun damage.
Can I have Renuvion without liposuction?
Absolutely. While Renuvion is often combined with liposuction for optimal body contouring results, it can be performed as a standalone skin-tightening treatment. This approach works particularly well for patients who are happy with their body shape but want to address mild to moderate skin laxity. The procedure is less invasive when performed alone and requires only small entry points.
What's the difference between Renuvion and a surgical lift?
This is one of the most common questions Dr. Payne hears. A surgical lift removes excess skin and repositions underlying tissues, making it ideal for significant sagging. Renuvion, on the other hand, tightens existing skin from within without removing any tissue. Think of it this way: if your skin laxity requires a tailor to take in a garment, you'd need surgery. If the fabric just needs to be steamed and reshaped, Renuvion might be perfect.
Can Renuvion treat stretch marks?
While Renuvion isn't specifically designed to eliminate stretch marks, many patients notice improvement in their appearance. The collagen remodeling process can help flatten and soften stretch marks, particularly newer ones that still have some redness. However, if stretch mark removal is your primary goal, Dr. Payne might recommend combining Renuvion with other treatments for optimal results.
How do I know if I need Renuvion or something else?
This is exactly why consultations are so valuable. Dr. Payne uses a comprehensive approach, evaluating your skin elasticity, the amount of excess tissue and your aesthetic goals. Sometimes patients think they need one treatment when another would be more effective. For instance, if you have excellent skin tone but stubborn fat, liposuction alone might be perfect. If you have loose skin but minimal fat, Renuvion could be ideal.
How Much Does Renuvion Cost?
The cost of a Renuvion treatment will vary depending on the treatment areas and the duration of the procedure. Keep in mind, Renuvion is used in conjunction with liposuction. Renuvion skin tightening can range $2,000 – $3,500. During your consultation, Dr. Payne will examine the desired treatment area thoroughly and listen to your aesthetic goals to provide you with a personalized quote.