Renuvion® Skin Tightening
Renuvion in Austin, TX
Renuvion, also known as J-Plasma, is a minimally invasive technology that tightens tissue from underneath the skin rather than heating it from the surface. Through a tiny entry point, a slender wand delivers a precise combination of helium plasma and radiofrequency energy to the collagen-rich layer just below the skin, producing a controlled contraction that helps the skin lie smoother and closer to the contours beneath it. For the right patient, that means meaningful improvement in skin laxity with small entry points instead of long incisions, and a recovery measured in days to weeks rather than months.
At Wellspring, every Renuvion procedure is planned and performed by Dr. Jeffrey Cone, a board-certified plastic surgeon. That matters more here than it does with most aesthetic treatments. Renuvion is a surgical energy device, not a facial. Knowing where it will work, where it will not, and when a patient is better served by something else is the difference between a good result and a disappointing one.
How Renuvion Works
Most skin tightening devices work from the outside in. Energy is applied to the surface of the skin and has to travel down to reach the tissue that actually causes laxity. That limits how much can be delivered before the skin itself is at risk. Renuvion works the other way around. Through an entry point only a few millimeters wide, the wand is passed directly into the subcutaneous layer. Helium gas flowing over an energized electrode creates a focused plasma beam, which conducts radiofrequency energy precisely into the connective tissue where it is needed.
The result is rapid, controlled heating followed by immediate cooling. The tissue contracts on contact, and collagen remodeling continues over the following months as the area heals.
What this means for you
• Energy goes where laxity lives. Treatment targets the subcutaneous layer directly rather than working through the skin.
• Results build over time. You may notice early improvement as swelling settles, with continued refinement as collagen remodels over the following months.
• It adds little time to a combined procedure. When performed alongside liposuction, Renuvion typically adds only minutes per area.
Where We Use Renuvion
Renuvion is not a single procedure. How it is used depends entirely on the area being treated and what is causing the laxity.
Renuvion is cleared by the FDA for use in subcutaneous procedures to improve the appearance of lax skin in the neck and submental region. This is the application it is best studied for, and it is the one Dr. Cone performs most often.
At Wellspring, neck Renuvion is delivered as part of The Silhouette Procedure, our approach to neck and jawline rejuvenation that combines Renuvion tightening with precision liposuction and platysma suture suspension where appropriate.
In April 2023, the FDA cleared the Renuvion APR handpiece for coagulation of subcutaneous soft tissues following liposuction for aesthetic body contouring. It remains the only device with a 510(k) clearance for use following liposuction.
This is an important distinction, and one worth understanding before you compare practices. On the body, Renuvion is used in conjunction with liposuction, not as a standalone skin tightening treatment. Liposuction removes the fat. Renuvion addresses the skin envelope left behind. Together they can produce a smoother, more even contour than liposuction alone in appropriately selected patients.
Areas commonly treated with liposuction and Renuvion together include:
• Abdomen and flanks
• Upper arms
• Thighs
• Back and bra line
• Under the chin and along the jawline
If a practice offers Renuvion as a standalone body skin tightening treatment with no liposuction, that use falls outside the device’s cleared indications. We think you should know that before you book anywhere.
Patients who have lost a substantial amount of weight, including through GLP-1 medications, often find that the fat is gone but the skin has not kept up. Liposuction with Renuvion can be a strong option for mild to moderate laxity in this group.
It has limits. If skin laxity is significant, no energy device will produce the result you are hoping for, and a surgical procedure such as an arm lift will give you a far better outcome. During your consultation we will tell you plainly which category you fall into.
Is Renuvion Right for You?
You may be a good candidate if you:
• Have early jowling or mild to moderate laxity in the neck and under the chin
• Are bothered by loose skin but are not ready for a full lift
• Are having liposuction and want to address the skin envelope at the same time
• Have lost weight and have mild to moderate residual laxity
• Are in good general health and have realistic expectations about what a minimally invasive procedure can achieve
Renuvion is likely not the right choice if you:
• Have significant skin excess that would be better addressed surgically
• Are looking for a treatment with no downtime at all
• Are hoping to avoid a procedure setting entirely
If you fall into that second group, that is worth knowing early rather than after you have paid for something that will not deliver. Depending on what we find, we may recommend a neck lift, a face lift, an arm lift, or a non-invasive treatment through our MedSpa instead. We take a right-procedure-first approach, and sometimes the right procedure is not the one you came in asking about.
How It Works
Book a Consult
Book a consult at our office to determine goals and concerns.
Treatment Plan
After a thorough evaluation, choose a treatment plan with Dr. Cone.
Pre-Operative
Learn all about pre-operative safety preparations before your surgery.
Post-Operative
Follow your surgeon's instruction to ensure a smooth recovery.
Recovery and Results
Anesthesia and comfort
Renuvion is typically performed using local anesthesia with light sedation, though the approach depends on the areas being treated and whether it is combined with liposuction or another procedure. We will review the best option for your comfort and safety during your consultation.
What recovery looks like
Most patients find swelling and soreness are most noticeable during the first two weeks, then improve steadily. A compression garment is usually worn for a period afterward, particularly following liposuction. Your exact timeline depends on your anatomy, the areas treated, and your surgical plan, and we will walk you through it before you schedule.
When you will see results
You may notice visible improvement early as swelling begins to settle. Tightening continues to develop as collagen remodels, with results typically continuing to refine over six to nine months as tissues fully heal and mature.
Results vary from patient to patient. Renuvion does not stop the aging process, and outcomes depend on your skin quality, the degree of laxity treated, and how well you follow your aftercare instructions.
Before & After
Check Out Our Silhouette Before & After Transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Renuvion, also called J-Plasma, is a minimally invasive technology that uses a combination of helium plasma and radiofrequency energy to tighten tissue beneath the skin. It is delivered through a small entry point rather than applied to the skin surface, which allows energy to be directed straight into the collagen-rich layer where laxity originates.
Renuvion is minimally invasive rather than open surgery. It uses entry points a few millimeters across instead of the incisions required for a lift, and recovery is generally shorter. That said, it is a procedure performed in a medical setting with anesthesia, not a spa treatment, and it should be planned and performed by a qualified surgeon.
Yes, for specific uses. The Renuvion APR handpiece is cleared for use in subcutaneous dermatological and aesthetic procedures to improve the appearance of lax skin in the neck and submental region, and separately for coagulation of subcutaneous soft tissues following liposuction for aesthetic body contouring. It is the only device with a 510(k) clearance for use following liposuction. Wellspring follows the current FDA indications and instructions for use.
On the body, Renuvion’s clearance is specifically for use following liposuction. We perform it as part of a combined procedure rather than as a standalone body skin tightening treatment. If you have loose skin but little excess fat, we will discuss what will actually work for your anatomy, which may mean a surgical option or a different approach entirely.
Surface devices apply energy to the outside of the skin, which limits how much can safely be delivered to the deeper tissue where laxity originates. Renuvion is placed beneath the skin and treats that tissue directly. The two are not interchangeable, and they suit different patients.
Most patients find the first two weeks involve the most swelling and soreness, then improve steadily. Many return to desk work within about a week, though this depends on the areas treated and whether Renuvion was combined with liposuction or another procedure. Your surgeon will give you a specific timeline based on your plan.
Early improvement often appears as swelling settles, with tightening continuing to build as collagen remodels. Most patients see their result continue to refine for six to nine months after the procedure.
Improvements from Renuvion can be long-lasting, but nothing stops the natural aging process. Your skin will continue to change over time. Protecting your skin from sun exposure, maintaining a stable weight and not smoking will all help your result last.
Frequently, yes. Renuvion is commonly performed alongside liposuction, and in the neck it forms part of The Silhouette Procedure. Some patients combine it with other facial procedures for a more balanced overall result. Whether combining is appropriate depends on your anatomy, your goals and your recovery timeline.
Renuvion Inquiry
Interested in a consultation? Fill out this form and we will be in contact with you shortly.
