NuEra Tight vs Surgical Skin Tightening: An Honest Comparison

NuEra Tight is a radiofrequency device that heats the skin from the outside to prompt new collagen. Compared with surgery it is far gentler: no incisions, no anesthesia and no downtime. It is also far less powerful. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) describes the results of non-invasive skin tightening as modest, and says such procedures “cannot give you the results of a surgical procedure like a facelift.”

This guide compares NuEra Tight with surgical skin tightening so you can judge which fits your goals.

What NuEra Tight is

NuEra Tight is made by Lumenis. The manufacturer describes it as using radiofrequency energy to raise and regulate the temperature of the skin tissue, “stimulating collagen, improving signs of sagging skin and wrinkles.” It says the treatment has no downtime and “feels like a comfortable hot stone massage.”

Lumenis also promotes the device for fat reduction and cellulite. For cellulite, the AAD’s assessment of radiofrequency in general is that some patients see “a little less cellulite” and that the result is short lived.

NuEra Tight vs surgical skin tightening

	NuEra Tight (radiofrequency)	Surgery (such as a facelift)
How it works	Heats the skin to prompt collagen	Tightens the skin of the face and neck through incisions
Anesthesia	None	Required
Downtime	None, according to the manufacturer	An overnight hospital stay and a recovery period
Size of result	Modest	More dramatic and longer lasting
Best suited to	A small amount of sagging	More marked sagging

What radiofrequency skin tightening can do

The AAD says that with radiofrequency, most people have one treatment and feel some tightening right away. Because collagen takes time to form, the best results appear in about six months. Some people benefit from more than one treatment, and results can last two to three years with good skin care.

It groups radiofrequency with other non-invasive procedures and describes what to expect from them: results that appear gradually, little or no downtime, and side effects usually limited to temporary redness and swelling.

What it cannot do

The AAD is direct. Even the more intensive, minimally invasive tightening procedures “cannot give you the results of a surgical procedure like a facelift, eyelid surgery, or neck lift.” It adds: “Do you have lots of sagging skin? If so, skin-tightening may not be helpful.”

Cleveland Clinic makes the same point about nonsurgical approaches, which it says might not be effective for extremely loose or sagging skin, and whose results tend to be short-term compared with surgery.

What surgery involves

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes a facelift as a surgical procedure that improves visible signs of ageing in the face and neck, including sagging skin, deeper folds and jowls. Cleveland Clinic notes that a surgical facelift uses incisions, needs general anesthesia and is “a more dramatic, permanent treatment.”

Surgery carries surgical risks and a real recovery period. It is carried out by plastic surgeons, not at a medical spa.

Who is a good candidate for NuEra Tight

The AAD says people are likely to get the best results from non-surgical tightening if they have a small amount of sagging skin, are at a healthy and stable weight, do not smoke, drink little alcohol and protect their skin from the sun.

It says skin tightening is not right for anyone who is pregnant, has a skin infection or takes certain medications.

How to choose

Mild laxity, and you want no downtime: radiofrequency is a reasonable option, with modest expectations.
Marked sagging or jowls: a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon is likely to be the better use of your time.
Unsure: ask a provider to assess how much laxity you have and to be frank about what a non-surgical treatment would change.

Our post on non-invasive skin treatments compares the other options.