Skin Tightening Glossary \| Terms Explained

Clear, jargon-free explanations of the terms used in non-surgical skin tightening, facial rejuvenation, and aesthetic medicine. Use this as a reference while researching your options.

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Butterfly Facelift®

A non-surgical facelift procedure offered in three tiers. The flagship Signature Butterfly Facelift® combines up to seven skin-tightening technologies in a single 2.5-hour session. Created by James Hooper at Newport Beach Skin Tightening in Costa Mesa, it uses Apollo TriPollar RF, Ultrasonic Cavitation, Ultherapy/HIFU, Microneedling, AQ Human Fibroblast Growth-Factor Skin Solution, Red Light Therapy, and Near-Infrared Therapy to trigger the body’s own collagen response. No cosmetic injections, fillers, or surgery. Learn more about the Butterfly Facelift® »

Collagen Induction Therapy

Any treatment that stimulates the body’s natural production of new collagen, rather than introducing collagen or other materials from outside the body. Collagen induction can be achieved through controlled thermal energy (RF, ultrasound), mechanical stimulation (microneedling), or light-based approaches. The skin rebuilds itself over weeks and months following treatment. The Butterfly Facelift® is a comprehensive collagen induction protocol.

Related: RF, microneedling, Ultherapy, dermis

Dermis

The second layer of skin, located beneath the epidermis (the surface layer). The dermis contains the collagen and elastin fibers that give skin its structure and elasticity. Most non-invasive skin tightening treatments target the dermis and deeper layers to stimulate new collagen formation.

Related: collagen induction, SMAS, elastin

Elastin

A protein in the dermis that gives skin its ability to stretch and return to its original shape. Elastin production declines with age, which is why mature skin loses its “snap-back.” Some skin-tightening technologies help support elastin production as part of broader collagen induction.

Related: collagen induction, dermis

Dermal Filler

An injectable gel or substance placed beneath the skin to add volume, smooth wrinkles, or contour facial features. Common fillers include hyaluronic acid-based products (Juvederm, Restylane), calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse), and poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra). Fillers are foreign substances introduced into the body. Newport Beach Skin Tightening does not perform filler injections.

Fractional Treatment

A treatment approach where energy is delivered in small, separated zones rather than as a continuous field. Fractional treatments allow some skin to be treated while surrounding skin remains untreated, which speeds healing. Common in laser treatments (Fraxel) and RF microneedling. Often involves needles or laser energy that damages the skin surface.

Related: Morpheus8, RF, microneedling

HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound)

A non-invasive technology that delivers focused ultrasound energy beneath the skin to heat deep tissue and stimulate collagen production. Ultherapy is the most well-known HIFU device. HIFU can reach the SMAS layer (the same connective tissue that plastic surgeons lift in a traditional facelift) without breaking the skin surface.

Related: Ultherapy, SMAS, non-invasive

Hyaluronic Acid

A naturally occurring molecule in the body that holds water and contributes to skin hydration and plumpness. In aesthetic medicine, hyaluronic acid is the base ingredient in popular dermal fillers (Juvederm, Restylane). Topical hyaluronic acid products are also widely available.

Related: filler, dermis

Microneedling

A treatment that uses very fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, which triggers a healing response and new collagen production. Traditional microneedling does not deliver additional energy. Microneedling is technically invasive in that needles penetrate the skin barrier.

Microneedling with RF

A combined treatment that adds radiofrequency energy delivery to the microneedling process. The needles deliver RF energy directly to the deeper layers of skin, producing more dramatic collagen stimulation than traditional microneedling alone. Morpheus8 is one well-known RF microneedling device. Learn more about microneedling with RF »

Morpheus8

A brand-name RF microneedling device made by InMode. Morpheus8 uses small needles to deliver RF energy to deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production. Commonly marketed for skin tightening, acne scar treatment, and body contouring. Typically requires 3-4 sessions to see full results. Compare Morpheus8 to the Butterfly Facelift® »

Neuromodulator (Botox)

A category of injectable medication that temporarily blocks signals from nerves to muscles, preventing the muscles from contracting. Botox is the original neuromodulator brand; other brands include Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, and Daxxify. Used cosmetically to soften wrinkles caused by muscle movement (forehead, between brows, crow’s feet). Effects last 3-4 months. Read about alternatives to neuromodulators »

Related: filler, non-invasive

Non-Invasive vs. Non-Surgical

Often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Non-surgical means no surgical incision is made. This still includes treatments with needles, blood draws, injections, or lasers inserted under the skin. Non-invasive is stricter: it means the skin barrier is never broken at all. The Butterfly Facelift® is non-surgical and uses no cosmetic injections — no injectable fillers, Botox, threads, or surgery. Its microneedling step is a collagen-induction technique that uses fine needles without injecting any substance.

PDO Thread Lift

A procedure where dissolvable threads made of polydioxanone are inserted beneath the skin to physically lift tissue and stimulate collagen production. Although marketed as “non-surgical,” PDO thread lifts involve inserting foreign objects under the skin via needles. Considered invasive by strict standards. Typically requires repeat sessions every 1-2 years as threads dissolve.

Plasma Pen

A device that uses an electrical arc to create plasma that vaporizes tiny areas of skin tissue, prompting a healing response. Although marketed as “non-surgical,” plasma pen treatment damages the skin surface and requires significant downtime for healing. Considered invasive due to surface skin damage.

Related: fractional, non-invasive

AQ Growth Factors

Growth factors are signaling proteins that help direct the skin’s natural repair processes, including collagen and elastin production by fibroblast cells in the dermis. AQ growth-factor serum is a standardized topical serum applied during microneedling to support the skin’s natural rebuilding process — collagen production and skin renewal without injectable fillers. It is one of the natural, non-surgical approaches central to the Butterfly Facelift® philosophy.

Radiofrequency (RF)

An energy modality that uses radio waves to heat the deeper layers of skin, triggering collagen production and skin tightening. RF can be delivered externally (Thermage, Apollo TriPollar RF) or via microneedling (Morpheus8, Pixel8). RF is a key technology in the Butterfly Facelift® protocol. Learn more about RF skin tightening »

Sculptra

A brand-name biostimulator injection containing poly-L-lactic acid. Sculptra is injected into the deep layers of skin to stimulate gradual collagen formation, producing volume restoration over months. Sometimes used after rapid weight loss (e.g., Ozempic-related facial volume loss). Like all injectables, Sculptra is a foreign substance and requires injection.

Related: filler, collagen induction

SMAS Layer

The Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System — a layer of connective tissue beneath the skin and fat, sitting on top of the facial muscles. When plastic surgeons perform a traditional facelift, they tighten the SMAS layer to restore facial structure. Ultherapy is unique among non-invasive treatments in being able to reach and treat the SMAS layer without making incisions, which is why it’s sometimes called “a non-surgical facelift.”

Related: Ultherapy, HIFU, dermis

Thermage

A brand-name RF skin tightening device that uses radiofrequency energy to heat the deeper layers of skin and stimulate collagen production. Surface-only treatment with no needling involved. Results develop gradually over 2-6 months. Commonly offered at high-volume chains like LaserAway. Compare Thermage to the Butterfly Facelift® »

Ultherapy

The original and most well-known HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) device. FDA-cleared for lifting the brow, chin, neck, and décolleté. Ultherapy reaches the SMAS layer without breaking the skin and triggers gradual collagen production over 3-6 months. James Hooper completed Ultherapy® training through Merz Aesthetics in 2019, and Ultherapy is one of the technologies included in the Butterfly Facelift® protocol. Read the complete guide to Ultherapy »

Related: HIFU, SMAS, Butterfly Facelift®

Still Have Questions?

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