Contact Us

Skin Tightening in Covington, KYFirmer, Hydrated Skin with Exion Face

Treatment Time:
30-45 minutes
Downtime:
None
Results Last:
6-12 months
FDA Cleared:
Yes, needle free
Patient receiving needle free Exion Face skin tightening along the jawline at Applegate MedSpa in Covington, KY

Advanced Skin Care

Skin Tightening That Hydrates As It Firms

Skin tightening in Covington, KY with Exion Face is a needle free treatment that uses monopolar radiofrequency and targeted ultrasound to firm loose skin and boost the skin's own hyaluronic acid. We treat patients from Covington, Fort Mitchell, Crescent Springs and Villa Hills, across Kenton County and greater Cincinnati, OH.

Your sessions are performed by Elizabeth Taylor, APRN, who brings a background in acute care medicine and advanced aesthetic training to every visit at Applegate Dentistry and MedSpa. She works alongside Dr. Barry Applegate, DMD, whose background in facial and jaw anatomy shapes how we map each treatment across the face and neck.

Before and after Exion Face skin tightening showing a firmer jawline at Applegate MedSpa in Covington, KY

The Challenge

When Loose, Thirsty Skin Calls for Skin Tightening

Understanding Skin Laxity

Skin does not loosen all at once. It thins, it holds less water, and one morning the jawline you have always had looks a little softer than it used to. Makeup settles into places it never sat before. Moisturizer disappears by lunchtime. The neck looks crepey in photos taken from below. Patients tell us they still feel good, they just look tired, and no cream they buy seems to reach whatever is actually changing underneath.
That change happens below the surface, where collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid all decline together. Exion Face treats that layer directly: radiofrequency heats the dermis while ultrasound spreads the energy evenly, and the skin answers by rebuilding its own support and its own water holding capacity. It is one of the core skin treatments we offer in Covington, KY for sagging skin and jowls, and the result builds quietly across the series.

Understanding Your Treatment

What Is Exion Skin Tightening?

The Science of RF and Ultrasound

Skin tightening with Exion Face is a needle free treatment that pairs monopolar radiofrequency with targeted ultrasound to soften mild to moderate laxity on the face and neck. The Exion platform from BTL is cleared for dermatologic use, and nothing punctures the skin.

Radiofrequency warms the dermis to a therapeutic temperature while ultrasound spreads it evenly, a pairing that research on radiofrequency with focused ultrasound links to measurable firming. Fibroblasts answer by making more collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, so skin becomes firmer and better hydrated over the series.

Treatment Timeline:

First Signs:
2 to 3 weeks (hydration)
Full Effect:
8 to 12 weeks
Treatment Time:
30 to 45 minutes
Recovery:
None

Your Experience

What Happens During an Exion Skin Tightening Session

Step by Step Process

  1. Consultation

    Elizabeth reviews your skin, maps the treatment areas and confirms Exion Face is the right fit.

  2. Preparation

    She cleanses the skin, removes makeup and applies the conductive gel the applicator needs.

  3. Treatment

    The Exion Face applicator glides across the jawline, cheeks and neck, building warmth in the dermis.

  4. Finish

    The gel comes off, moisturizer and SPF go on, and you leave with no redness to hide.

  5. Next Session

    Elizabeth books your next visit about a week out so the series keeps its momentum.

Conditions Addressed

Exion Skin Tightening Treatment Areas

Face, Neck and Decolletage

Soft magenta and plum gradient background representing firmer, better hydrated skin at Applegate MedSpa

  • Jawline and Jowls

    Firms the lower face where skin has started to drift downward

  • Cheeks and Midface

    Rebuilds support where firmness and bounce have quietly faded

  • Neck and Decolletage

    Tightens crepey texture below the jaw and across the chest

  • Under Eye Crepiness

    Smooths fine crepey skin around the delicate eye area

  • Dull, Dehydrated Skin

    Boosts your own hyaluronic acid for hydration that lasts

  • Early Fine Lines

    Softens fine lines that come from thin, dehydrated skin

Benefits of Exion Skin Tightening

Firmer and Better Hydrated

No NeedlesEnergy only, with no punctures and no bleedingZero DowntimeHead back to work or the gym straight from your sessionNatural HydrationStimulates your own hyaluronic acid, not injectedComfortable SessionsMost patients describe it as a warm massageAll Skin TonesRadiofrequency is not light based, so melanin is not a risk

Exion Skin Tightening vs. Alternatives

Exion Face sits between a facial and surgery: genuine collagen and hyaluronic acid stimulation with no needles and no recovery.

TreatmentMechanismTimeResultsDurationDowntimeBest For
Exion Face Skin TighteningRF plus ultrasound, no needles30-45 minutesFirmer, hydrated skin6-12 monthsNoneMild to moderate laxity
RF Microneedling with ExionFractional RF with needles45-60 minutesTexture, pores, firming12-18 months1-3 daysScars, pores, rough texture
UltherapyMicro focused ultrasound60-90 minutesLifting at depth12-18 monthsMinimalBrow and neck lifting
Surgical Skin TighteningExcision of loose skin2-4 hoursDramatic tightening10 years or more2-4 weeksSevere sagging skin
Hyaluronic Acid FillersInjected gel adds volume15-30 minutesImmediate volume6-18 months1-7 daysVolume loss, not laxity

Is This Right for You

Who Is a Good Candidate for Skin Tightening?

Finding Your Best Result

Skin tightening with Exion Face suits patients whose skin has started to loosen and dry out but who are nowhere near ready for surgery. Loose skin after significant weight loss is one of the most common reasons patients come in for this treatment, and we usually plan it once your weight has been stable for a few months.

Ideal Candidates for Exion Skin Tightening

  • Adults roughly 35 to 70 with mild to moderate laxity along the jawline, cheeks or neck
  • Skin that looks tight, flat or thirsty by the middle of the day, the pattern we cover on our dull and dehydrated skin page
  • Anyone who wants firming without needles, bleeding or time away from work
  • Patients who can commit to a series of eight sessions plus a maintenance visit or two each year
  • Realistic expectations: gradual firming and better hydration, not a surgical lift

Who Should Wait or Avoid Skin Tightening

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Pacemakers, defibrillators or other implanted electronic devices
  • Metal implants or permanent filler in the treatment area
  • Active infection, open wounds or inflamed acne where the applicator would pass
  • Severe sagging with significant excess skin, which responds better to surgery

If texture and pore concerns outweigh the laxity, RF microneedling with Exion is often the better fit: Exion Face is the needle free option and Exion Fractional RF is the option with needles. Absolute contraindications are reviewed at your consultation before anything is booked.

Risks and Side Effects

What to Know

Real Patient Results

Real Results

Hydration usually shows first, around two to three weeks in, when skin looks plumper and holds makeup better. Firming along the jawline and neck builds more slowly and generally peaks eight to twelve weeks after the eighth session. Individual results vary with age, skin quality and sun history, and we photograph in fixed lighting so the comparison stays honest.

View All Photos
Exion Face
BeforeAfter
Treatment Name:
Exion Face

The Applegate Difference

Why Choose Applegate MedSpa for Skin Tightening in Covington

Covington's Trusted Provider

Elizabeth Taylor, APRN brings a background in acute care medicine and advanced aesthetic training to every Exion session, and she maps each face rather than running a stock protocol. She works beside Dr. Barry Applegate, DMD, whose dental training in facial anatomy guides how we treat the jawline and neck.

Book a Consultation

  • Dentist-Founded Practice

    Facial and jaw anatomy expertise guides every treatment map

  • Complete BTL Suite

    Exion, Emface and Emsculpt Neo under one Covington roof

  • Needle Free Approach

    Real firming with no punctures, bleeding or recovery time

  • Honest Expectations

    We say so when surgery or another treatment suits you better

  • Below the Usual Range

    $250 per session where radiofrequency tightening commonly runs $300 to $800

  • Weekly Momentum

    Sessions booked about a week apart so collagen and hyaluronic acid keep building

Investment

Skin Tightening Cost in Covington, KY

Pricing and Payment Options

How Much Does Skin Tightening Cost in Covington, KY?

Exion Face is priced as a series, because collagen and hyaluronic acid build across repeated sessions rather than in a single visit. Non surgical radiofrequency skin tightening commonly runs from $300 to $800 per session nationally, so our per session price sits below the usual range.

Price TypePer Session
Single Session$250
Recommended Series (8 sessions)$250 per session

Flexible Payment Options

We want the plan to fit your budget, not the other way around.

  • Cherry Financing - monthly payment plans with a quick approval process and options for a range of credit profiles.
  • Major credit cards - accepted for a single session or a full series.
  • HSA and FSA - health spending account funds are accepted where your plan administrator allows the treatment, so check your plan first.

Final pricing is confirmed at your consultation, once we know which areas of the face and neck we are treating.

Promotional pricing available at consultation. Call to schedule a free consult.

Patient receiving RF microneedling with the Exion applicator at Applegate Dentistry and MedSpa in Covington, KY

Related Treatment

RF Microneedling with Exion

Fractional radiofrequency delivered through fine needles to firm skin, refine pores and smooth texture.

  1. Your Own Collagen
  2. Multiple Concerns
  3. Short Recovery
Learn More

Related Treatment

Dermaplaning

Manual exfoliation that clears dead skin and peach fuzz for a visibly smoother, brighter surface.

  1. Immediate Results
  2. Needle Free
  3. Better Absorption
Learn More

Related Treatment

Emface

Needle free facial lifting

  1. No Needles
  2. Zero Downtime
  3. Muscle and Skin
Learn More

Related Treatment

Botox

Injectable onabotulinumtoxinA that relaxes the muscles behind your expression lines for a rested, natural look.

  1. Fast Appointment
  2. No Downtime
  3. Natural Movement
Learn More

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Tightening

How much does skin tightening cost in Covington, KY?
Exion Face skin tightening is $250 per session, and we recommend a series of eight sessions. That covers the face and neck areas we map together at your consultation. Cherry Financing is available if you would rather spread the cost across monthly payments. We confirm the plan before your first session.
Does Exion skin tightening hurt?
No, most patients describe it as a warm massage. The applicator glides across the skin and builds heat gradually, and Elizabeth adjusts the intensity so the session stays comfortable the whole way through. There are no needles and no numbing cream. Some people find the warmth on the jawline and neck relaxing enough to book it on a lunch break.
When will I see results from skin tightening?
Most patients notice better hydration and a plumper look within two to three weeks. Firming takes longer, because new collagen and elastin need time to organize. Peak results usually appear eight to twelve weeks after the final session. Results vary with age, starting skin quality and how well you protect the skin between visits.
How long do skin tightening results last?
Firming and hydration typically hold for six to twelve months after a completed series. Exion does not stop aging, so the skin continues its normal decline afterward. Most of our Covington patients book one or two maintenance sessions a year to keep the result steady rather than repeating the whole series.
How many Exion sessions do I need?
Eight sessions, usually spaced about a week apart. That schedule matches how fibroblasts respond: each session adds a little more collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, and the effect compounds. Fewer sessions give a shorter lived result. We will tell you at the consultation whether your skin needs the full series.
What is the difference between Exion skin tightening and RF microneedling?
Exion Face is the needle free option and Exion Fractional RF is the option with needles. Skin tightening uses radiofrequency and ultrasound at the surface to firm and hydrate with no downtime, while RF microneedling drives energy deeper for scars, pores and texture. See how this compares to RF microneedling.
Is Exion Face the same as a hydrating facial?
No. A hydrating facial adds moisture to the surface of the skin and it washes off. Exion Face prompts your own fibroblasts to make more hyaluronic acid inside the dermis, so the hydration comes from your tissue rather than from a product. That is why our price card lists this treatment as Exion HA.
Can men get skin tightening?
Yes, and we treat a steady number of men at our Covington office. Male skin is thicker and often carries laxity along the jawline and under the chin, which responds well to radiofrequency. The treatment leaves no marks and no lingering redness, which is usually the first thing men ask us about.
Can I combine skin tightening with other treatments?
Yes. Many patients pair Exion Face with dermaplaning to clear dead surface cells before a session, or with Emface to tone the facial muscles underneath. We stagger appointments so the skin is never asked to recover from two things at once. Elizabeth builds the sequence at your consultation.
Am I too young or too old for Exion skin tightening?
Most of our patients are between 35 and 70, but candidacy depends on skin quality rather than age. Younger patients often use it to slow early laxity and hold hydration steady. Older patients with mild to moderate sagging see real firming, while significant excess skin responds better to surgery. We will tell you honestly.
Location322 Greenup StCovington, KY, 41011Phone(859) 365-3300Emailinfo@applegatemedspa.com

Schedule Today Your Skin Tightening with Exion Consultation

References

  1. Kwon HH et al., J Cosmet Laser Ther. (2018). Combined treatment for skin laxity of the aging face with monopolar radiofrequency and intense focused ultrasound improved laxity in Korean subjects. PMID: 29469595.
  2. Khong SML et al., Malays J Med Sci. (2024). Safety and efficacy of high intensity focused ultrasound and monopolar radiofrequency combination therapy for skin tightening in a retrospective series. PMID: 38456105.
  3. Suh DH et al., J Cosmet Dermatol. (2020). Monopolar radiofrequency treatment for facial laxity produced measurable dermal change on histometric analysis. PMID: 32319176.
  4. Angra K et al., Dermatol Surg. (2021). Prospective clinical trial of the latest generation of noninvasive monopolar radiofrequency for the treatment of facial and upper neck skin laxity. PMID: 33899795.
  5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Aesthetic devices, including radiofrequency systems used for skin tightening, are regulated as medical devices.
Book Consultation