What causes bingo wings
The skin on the back of the upper arm is fairly thin, and it sits over a layer of fat that tends to collect there with age. Over time the skin loses collagen and elasticity, and gravity does the rest. The result is the soft, slightly loose fold that moves when you wave, which is where the name comes from.
Exercise strengthens the triceps muscle underneath and is worth doing for many reasons. It does not, however, tighten loose skin, and it cannot remove fat from a single chosen spot. This is why people who are fit and at a healthy weight can still be bothered by their upper arms. Weight loss, especially large or rapid weight loss, can make the looseness more obvious.
It is also common for the problem to be partly skin and partly fat. Pinching the back of the arm gives a rough idea. If you can gather a thin, soft layer of skin, laxity is the main issue. If you gather a thick layer, fat plays a larger part. If the skin hangs in a fold when you hold your arm out to the side, there is probably more excess skin than a non surgical treatment can deal with. This simple check is no substitute for an assessment, but it helps you understand what you are asking a treatment to do.
What Endolift can and cannot do for the arms
Endolift is a minimally invasive laser treatment. On the arms it is aimed at 2 things: mild to moderate loose skin, and small pockets of fat. It is not designed to remove large amounts of skin or large volumes of fat.
| Your upper arms | Likely approach |
|---|---|
| Soft, slightly loose skin with a small amount of fat | Endolift is often a reasonable option |
| Mainly fat, with skin that is still firm | Liposuction, or Endolift if the fat pocket is small |
| A fold of excess skin that hangs when the arm is raised | A surgical arm lift usually gives a clearer result |
| Weight still changing | Wait until weight is stable before any treatment |
A surgical arm lift removes skin directly. It leaves a long scar along the inner arm and involves a longer recovery, but for heavy skin it does far more than any non surgical treatment. If you have lost a lot of weight, the loose skin after weight loss page explains how the options compare.
How the treatment works
The genuine Endolift system uses the LASEmaR 1500 laser by Eufoton at a wavelength of 1470 nm, with original single use fibres. A fibre between 200 and 600 microns wide is passed beneath the skin through a tiny entry point after local anaesthetic. There are no incisions and no stitches.
The laser energy is strongly absorbed by water and fat. It contracts the fibrous bands beneath the skin, giving some tightening on the day. It can liquefy small fat deposits, which the body then clears. It also starts collagen remodelling, where weaker Type III collagen is gradually replaced by stronger Type I. That is why the arms usually continue to improve for around 6 months.
Treatment of both arms usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes, and most people need only 1 session. You are awake throughout. Most people describe pressure and warmth rather than sharp pain once the local anaesthetic has taken effect, and you can usually go home shortly afterwards.
Because collagen remodelling takes time, the arms at 2 weeks are not the final result. Some tightening is visible early, but swelling can hide it. The clearer change usually appears between 3 and 6 months, which is when a review with after photos is most useful.
Recovery and risks
Expect swelling, bruising, redness and tenderness on the backs of the arms for the first few days. Areas where fat was treated can feel firm or lumpy, and patches of skin may feel numb. Most of this settles within days. Numbness and firmness can take 1 to 2 weeks or longer.
You wear a compression garment on the arms for 3 to 4 days. Most people go back to work the next day or within 48 hours. Loose sleeves are more comfortable for the first week. The recovery and aftercare page has a practical guide.
Rarer risks include burns, uneven skin, infection and small scars at the entry points. They are uncommon, but you should hear about them plainly before treatment rather than afterwards. Some people should not have Endolift at all, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding or have an infection in the area. Some blood clotting or autoimmune conditions and a history of keloid scarring need careful discussion first.
Cost and how long results last
At TK Medispa in Kensington, the upper arms are priced as a single body area at £2,000. That includes the photo assessment, video consultation, treatment, local anaesthetic, aftercare and review. You can compare all areas on the cost page and see the other areas treated on the body page.
Results build over 3 to 6 months and can last up to 2 years. Keeping your weight stable makes the biggest difference. Age, skin quality, sun exposure and smoking matter too. Results vary, and the realistic aim is firmer, neater arms rather than the effect of surgery.
Dr Seth's view "The arms are an area where expectations matter a great deal. If I lift the arm and see soft, mildly loose skin with a little fat, Endolift can give a worthwhile change. If there is a real fold of skin hanging down, I will tell the patient that an arm lift is the honest answer, even though it means a scar."
Questions to ask before you book
- Is my problem mainly skin, mainly fat, or both?
- Would an arm lift or liposuction suit me better, and why?
- Is the device genuine Endolift, and are the fibres single use?
- Who will perform the treatment, and what is their training?
- What exactly does the price include, and is there a review?
Next step
To find out whether your upper arms would respond, send 3 photos (front, left and right, in natural light, with your arms relaxed and then raised) for Dr Seth's free assessment through the booking page.
Questions people also ask
Can exercise get rid of bingo wings?
Exercise builds the triceps muscle and improves overall fitness, which can make the arm look firmer. It cannot tighten loose skin or remove fat from a chosen spot, so many active people still have some looseness. Exercise and treatment work well together rather than replacing each other.
How soon can I wear sleeveless tops after Endolift on the arms?
Bruising and swelling usually settle within days, and the compression garment comes off after 3 to 4 days. Some people feel comfortable going sleeveless within 1 or 2 weeks, while others wait until any remaining bruising has faded. The tighter look builds gradually over 3 to 6 months.
Will Endolift on the arms leave scars?
There are no incisions or stitches. The fibre enters through tiny entry points, which usually heal well and become hard to see. Scarring at an entry point is a rare risk and is more likely in people who form keloid scars, so mention any history of that.
Can I have my arms and another area treated together?
It is sometimes possible to treat more than 1 area, but it depends on the size of the areas, your comfort and your recovery. This is best discussed at the consultation, where Dr Seth can give you a fixed price for the plan.
This article is general information, not personal medical advice. Results vary between individuals and are not guaranteed. Endolift® and LASEmaR® are registered trademarks of Eufoton® S.r.l.