Minimally invasive arm lift techniques.
For a long time, the main solution to “bat wings” (which is just excess skin on the upper arms) has been the traditional Brachioplasty. Although this method works quite well, it comes with a heavy cost: a long, very visible scar starting from the armpit and ending at the elbow. Thus, a great number of ladies decide against surgery only because they do not want to exchange one problem (sagging skin) for another (permanent zipper scar) which would even prevent them from wearing sleeveless clothes.
Luckily, advancements have been made in the field, and the latest arm lift techniques are centered around Minimally Invasive Skin Tightening (MIST). These methods try to reduce the skin covering without removing it, thereby making it possible for individuals with moderate skin laxity who do not quite opt for a full scar yet. At Lin Health Europe Clinic, we mix high-definition liposuction with plasma energy to provide a “Scarless” solution for the appropriate candidates.
The Game Changer: Renuvion (J-Plasma)
Renuvion (J-Plasma) is by far the biggest innovation in arm contouring. This is not a surgery in the classical way of definition; rather, it is a tool that emits energy. Following the removal of heavy fat from the arm with the help of VASER liposuction, a slim Renuvion tool is guided under the skin by our surgeons.
Through this Renuvion tool, helium gas that is energized by radiofrequency (RF) waves is freed, thereby producing a focused beam of “cold plasma.” This Utra-low temperature plasma energy immediately contracts the collagen fibers in the subdermal layer of the arm, thus shrinking the skin in a similar way to how plastic wrap shrinks when heated. According to clinical studies, it is possible to get up to 30-50% skin retraction with this method. Thus, individuals with mild and moderate looseness of skin will be able to get the arms tightened up to the point where a cut is not necessary at all and they will only be left with very small puncture marks.
The “Hidden” Lift: Short-Scar Brachioplasty
The Mini Arm Lift (Short-Scar) can be regarded as the present compromise between a completely armless Renuvion and a full scar running from the armpit till the elbow. Here, the operative area is exclusively confined to the axilla (armpit).
We take out a crescent-shaped or “L-shaped” area of skin located at the top of the armpit and pull the arm skin up, almost as if putting on a pair of socks by pulling the cuffs. The scar is strategically placed and camouflaged with the natural hair pattern in the armpit. On the other hand, since it cannot reach to the point of fixing the loose skin near the elbow, it is rather used for tightening the upper third of the arm that leads to quite a considerable change with a very subtle scar.
The Safety Revolution: Awake Brachioplasty
Awake Brachioplasty is actually one of the latest movements in terms of patient safety and comfort. General anesthesia, which can cause nausea, dizziness, and longer stays at the hospital, was commonly used for arm lifts. However, modern techniques harness the power of “Tumescent Anesthesia” — a special formula that contains both lidocaine and epinephrine and is injected into the arm tissue.
And since the blood vessels are constricted and the arm is completely numb, the surgeon be able to remove the fat and skin while the patient is alert and calm (usually, mild oral sedation is applied). An Awake thus approach greatly limits the amount of bleeding and bruising since the blood pressure stays stable. It also provides a dynamic evaluation; for instance, you can be asked to do some bending and straightening of your arm during the surgery so that the surgeon can better see if the skin is tightened well enough without compromising your movement. Soon, after the procedure, you will be able to leave the clinic after skipping the recovered from general anesthesia stage entirely.
Lymphatic Sparing: Preventing the “Swollen Arm”
Damage to the lymphatic drainage vessels in the armpit leading to the development of chronic swelling (lymphedema) was one of the major concerns about older arm lift methods. Lymphatic Sparing has now become the focus of the newest anatomical protocols.
By using blunt-tip dissection and staying in the “Superficial Fascial System” (SFS), we now carefully avoid the deep lymphatic bundles that control the drainage of the hand and forearm. The prevention of permanent fluid accumulation (i.e., lymphedema) is thus achieved by preserving these main channels. The present, anatomy-safe method not only guarantees you tight and puffy-free arms, but also lowers the possibilities of seromas (fluid pockets) that were frequent after aggressive cutting in the past.
The Spiral Lift: Reshaping the Scar
In some cases of extreme weight loss where the patient is just left with a lot of skin and the only option is full elbow-length scar excision, Spiral (Avulsion) Brachioplasty has become the most recent method of scar placement. Normal arm lifts result in a scar being placed on the inner arm (bicipital groove) and this area becomes visible when waving.
The Spiral procedure involves a tissue rotation, and thus the resulting scar is located more towards the back of the arm (posteriorly). Therefore, when you are doing your natural standing pose or waving, the scar is hidden from anyone looking at you. This method allows for even more skin to be taken away while giving first priority to maintaining an aesthetically pleasing scar line.
Lin Health Europe Clinic: The Hybrid Protocol
At Lin Europe Clinic in Turkey, you are not coerced into making just one choice. We often use a Hybrid Protocol. We may choose to do VASER + Renuvion on the lower arm (by the elbow) to tighten without producing any scar, and simultaneously keep the surgical excision limited to the upper arm only.
By doing so, the “best of both worlds” approach results in minimal scar length and maximal tightness. With our skin elasticity assessment using pinch tests, we are able to find out how much retraction we can get from energy devices and how much steel (surgical) is required. The objective is to equip you with the arms that you are proud to show off, thereby minimizing the inevitable trade-off between the contour and the scar.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Arm Lift Procedures
Only if the sagging is mild or moderate. In case you have big ‘bat wings’ hanging down, Renuvion can’t shrink the skin that much. You’ll be re – quired surgical excision (cutting) for a flat contour.
It creates very small punctures (like freckles) where the cannula enters but no long incision. So yes, compared to a brachioplasty, it is effectively a scarless arm lift.
Yes. Since there are no big cuts or stitches to worry about, recovery from J-Plasma arm tightening takes just 3-5 days as compared to a full arm lift (2-3 weeks).
For surgical lifts, you have to wait for 6 weeks. For VASER/Renuvion procedures, light weights can generally be reintroduced in 2-3 weeks since there is no risk of wound tension.
You get some instant firming but the completion of the treatment takes 6-9 months. The collagen keeps on contracting and remodeling well after the newest arm lift procedure.
Duncan, D. I. (2019). Helium Plasma-Driven Radiofrequency in Body Contouring. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Lockwood, T. E. (1995). Brachioplasty with superficial fascial system suspension. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Hoyos, A. E. (2012). High Definition Body Sculpting. Springer.
Klein, J. A. (1990). Tumescent technique for regional anesthesia permits lidocaine doses of 35 mg/kg for liposuction. Journal of Dermatologic Surgery & Oncology.
