Understanding Thermage
Photo courtesy of Adam Stein, MD
Source: Thermage
Patient results may vary
The Thermage® procedure is a non-invasive treatment designed to tighten skin and firm facial and body contours. This is accomplished over a period of time as the body responds to the heat effect of the treatment by spurring new collagen production. (Collagen is the building block that provides structure to your skin.)
The Thermage® procedure is available only in the offices of qualified physicians, with options including:
Why Skin Sags and Loses Firmness
Skin is made up of three distinct layers: a visible outer layer on the surface called the epidermis, a collagen-rich underlayer beneath the surface called the dermis, and an inner layer beneath the dermis called the subcutaneous layer, also known as the fat layer that has a web of collagen fibers running through it.
When the collagen in these three layers breaks down due to sun exposure, family heredity, or the normal aging process, your face begins to sag and wrinkle. Body skin stretched by pregnancy, weight loss, age and environmental stress loses firmness and smooth texture.
For a treatment to effectively tighten the collagen in the under layer or the inner layer of your skin, those layers must be adequately energized and stimulated. To date, one of the recognized methods of accomplishing this is through the application of heat deep within the tissue. Thermage was created for this single purpose.
Thermage and Radio Frequency
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Rostan, MD
Source: Thermage
Patient results may vary
The Thermage procedure employs a patented radiofrequency (RF) technology called Thermacool™. It has been clinically proven to tighten and gently lift skin and renew facial and body contours. The incision-free procedure is fast and easy, and requires no downtime from normal activities. Unlike lasers, the procedure can be performed on patients of all skin types, colors and backgrounds.
How Thermage Works to Tighten Skin
Treatment: Thermage*
Patient results may vary
The Thermacool system uses a sophisticated treatment tip called Thermatip™, which delivers a controlled amount of RF energy. With each touch to the skin, the Thermatip device uniformly heats a large volume of collagen in the deeper layers of the skin and its underlying tissue while simultaneously protecting the outer layer of the skin with cooling. This deep uniform heating action causes the loose and disorganized collagen structures in your skin to immediately tighten. Over time, new and remodeled collagen is produced to further tighten skin, resulting in healthier, smoother skin and a more youthful appearance.
Treatment results vary from patient to patient with some patients experiencing more effect than others. Photos presented on this site and others are not promises of similar results.
Steps in Your Thermage Procedure
Your skin is thoroughly cleansed prior to the procedure. (Please do not wear mineral makeup, mineral or "pearled" eye shadow or mineral blush the day of treatment. Refrain from the use of tanning products a week prior.) Your Thermage treatment is customized to provide the most benefit for your particular needs and concerns.
A special pad with adhesive backing will be placed on your back or leg. This pad completes the "circuit" for the RF energy and is removed when your treatment is completed. A paper transfer will be used to place a "grid" on the areas of your face or body to be treated. This grid ensures complete and uniform treatment and assists in the customizing of the treatment. Some areas will require more "passes" of the Thermatip than others to achieve the desired results. The grid markings are washed off completely
During the treatment you will be asked to provide feedback on the level of heating you feel from the RF pulses. This feedback allows the best selection of RF energy levels to be used and makes certain you remain comfortable throughout the procedure.
Thermage for Facial and Neck Tightening* – Areas Treated
- Periorbital region: Forehead and area around the eyes
- Mid/Lower face: Includes the cheeks, area around the mouth, jaw line, jowls, and area under the chin
- Lower face/submental: Includes the area around the mouth, chin, jaw line, jowls, and area under the chin
- Full face: Includes the periorbital region and mid/lower face areas
Photo courtesy of Javier Ruiz-Esparza, MD
Treatment: Thermage*
Patient results may vary
How Long Does the Thermage Treatment Take?
The Thermage procedure can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the size of the treatment area and the number of pulses required. Additional time may be required for skin preparation prior to the procedure.
What Will My Skin Feel Like after the Procedure?
Immediately following a Thermage procedure, your skin will feel tighter with a sensation of warmth. Over time, you will notice additional tightening.
Will I Need Multiple Treatments?
Photo courtesy of Kelly Hailsn, MD
Treatment: Thermage*
Patient results may vary
Unlike many laser procedures requiring four or more sessions, a single Thermage treatment has produced results in the majority of patients. Other skin enhancing procedures work well with Thermage and may be used immediately or shortly after your treatment.
BOTOX Cosmetic is the well-established wrinkle relaxer for those areas which experience habitual muscle movement such as the forehead and the area between the brows that give a worried look.
Wrinkle fillers are the icing on the cake for lines and folds that show age. If you have inherited genes that make your skin look older than it should, or have spent too many years out in the sun, the resulting wrinkles can be improved with the latest of filler products such as Juvederm or Restylane.
Lost facial volume can be replaced by the power of Sculptra, a unique collagen stimulating product that returns the youthful plumpness lost through age or illness. Radiesse is used for deep nasolabial folds, cheek augmentation and subtle nose reshaping.
Immediate and Continuing Results
Recently published studies conducted by Thermage show that measurable tightening improvements appear gradually after a single treatment session. Results are lasting as the procedure induces additional collagen formation. As with any procedure, it does not stop the natural aging process. Improvement of any nature, even that of a surgical facelift, will diminish over the years with the natural aging of the skin and supportive tissues.
No Downtime with Thermage
Photo courtesy of Brian Beisman, MD
Treatment: Thermage*
Patient results may vary
Most people return to their regular activities immediately following the Thermage procedure. Some people experience mild redness (like a sunburn), but it usually disappears quickly. No special care is needed after treatment unless otherwise instructed.
Thermage Body
Individual results may vary
Thermage has increased public awareness in the treatment's ability to tighten loose body skin, especially loose skin on the tummy area. Used post-pregnancy or post-liposuction, Thermage may help tighten those areas of crepe-like skin.
Thermage is an excellent combination treatment along with Mesotherapy. Although these procedures induce tightening on their own, the dual treatment offers the potential of increased firming in the areas treated. Thermage recently introduced Thermage ThermaTip™ CL, a single treatment for improvement in the appearance of cellulite.
Benefits and Advantages
Most importantly, there is no recovery or patient downtime. Patients may return back to work directly after the procedure. Secondly, selecting Thermage for skin tightening means no cutting, surgical drains, sutures or bruising. Lastly, there is no special follow-up regime.
Find out if Thermage is right for you by calling 888-333-2515 today. Dr. John Sedgh performs non-surgical skin tightening for the eyes, face and body. Your initial cosmetic consultation at Beverly Hills Laser Institute, Inc. is complimentary.
* Individual Results May Vary
