Overview

Thermage is a nonsurgical technique that promotes new collagen formation while tightening and smoothing the skin. RF waves generate heat in the skin, which first treats the outside skin and then spreads the interior.

Thermage is often advised for the face, eyes, abdomen, and thighs. One benefit of Thermage is its capacity to treat greater regions. A single treatment takes 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the region of therapy, and there is little to no downtime.

What is Thermage?

Thermage is a non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) procedure that can smooth, tighten, and shape skin to make it appear younger. Addresses apparent age symptoms with minimal to no downtime. No need to skip work or adjust your social calendar. Wrinkles and loose skin on the face, around the eyes, and on the body can be treated. The effects are cumulative and can continue for years. The new Thermage FLX provides for a more pleasant operation. Most patients require only one 30–90-minute treatment, depending on the treated region, and many patients report excellent outcomes. Thermage FLX is a non-invasive, no-cut, no-needle therapy that produces natural-looking results.

Thermage is a non-invasive therapy that tightens skin and firms face and body contours. This is achieved over a period of time when the body responds to the heat impact of the therapy by encouraging new collagen formation. (Collagen is a protein that provides structure to your skin.) Thermage is exclusively provided at authorized physicians' offices, with options including Thermage Facial and Neck, Tightening, Thermage for Eyes, and Thermage Body.

 

Epidemiology

Thermage treatments have given a non-surgical, no-downtime solution for gradually tightening skin since 2003. Is 18-year-old technology still relevant today? Absolutely! Those 18 years have provided several chances to fine-tune and improve treatment expectations, experience, and outcomes. Aesthetic gadgets, like new automobile models, move through new models.

 

Why does Skin Sag and Lose 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 inheritance, or the typical aging process, your face begins to droop and wrinkle. Pregnancy, weight loss, aging, and environmental stress cause body skin to lose firmness and smooth texture. In order for a therapy to properly tighten the collagen in your skin's underlayer or inner layer, those layers must be appropriately electrified and stimulated. To date, one of the acknowledged means of doing this is by the administration of heat deep into the tissue. Thermage was manufactured specifically for this purpose.

Thermage uses a proprietary radiofrequency (RF) technique known as Thermacool. It has been shown in clinical studies to tighten and softly lift skin, as well as restore face and body features. The incision-free technique is quick and painless, with no interruption to usual activities. The operation, unlike lasers, may be conducted on people of different skin kinds, colors, and backgrounds. 

 

How does Thermage Tighten Skin?

Thermatip is a sophisticated treatment tip used by the Thermacool system, delivers a regulated quantity of RF radiation. The Thermatip gadget warms a huge volume of collagen in the deeper layers of the skin and its underlying tissue with each contact to the skin while chilling the surface layer of the skin. This deep homogeneous heating action rapidly tightens your skin's slack and disordered collagen structures. New and modified collagen is created over time to tighten skin further, resulting in healthier, smoother skin and a more youthful appearance. Treatment outcomes differ from patient to patient, with some people benefiting more than others. 

 

Procedure steps for your thermage

Your skin is carefully cleaned prior to the operation. (On the day of treatment, please do not use mineral makeup, mineral or "pearled" eye shadow, or mineral blush. A week before, avoid using tanning products.) Your Thermage treatment is personalized to deliver the best benefit for your unique requirements and problems.

On your back or leg, a specific pad with adhesive backing will be applied. This pad completes the "circuit" for the RF radiation and is removed at the end of your treatment. To establish a "grid" on the parts of your face or body to be treated, a paper transfer will be employed. This grid enables comprehensive and consistent therapy and aids in the customization of the treatment. To obtain the desired outcomes, certain locations will require more "passes" of the Thermatip than others. The grid marks have been totally washed away. You will be asked to offer input on the degree of warmth you experience from the RF pulses during the treatment. This feedback permits the optimal selection of RF energy levels to be used and makes certain you remain comfortable during the process.

Thermage treatments can last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. The actual duration will depend on the treatment regions and goals of the patient. To prepare for the therapy, the treatment area will be cleaned. RF energy will be delivered into the treated regions through a portable device.

 

Is Thermage beneficial for me?

Thermage can be used on healthy people. Patients with mild to moderate wrinkles and aging symptoms are ideal candidates. The greatest prospects are persons who are unwilling to undertake invasive facelift surgery.

Patients who do not have time for a protracted recuperation period are ideal candidates because this therapy does not need significant downtime. Patients who are not pregnant or nursing are advised to use thermage. Candidates with modest expectations are ideal.

Thermage is indicated if you're middle-aged and do not require a surgical facelift or wish to go with a non-invasive treatment.

 You should have mild to moderate skin sagging in these areas:

• Neck 
• Jowls 
• Cheek 
• Brows 
• Eyelids

Thermage is also an excellent alternative for targeting bigger regions such as the thighs and belly.

 

Areas treated by thermage for facial and neck tightening

• Periorbital area: The region surrounding the eyes and the forehead
• Mid/Lower face: The cheeks, the area surrounding the mouth, the jaw line, the jowls, and the area under the chin are all part of the mid/lower face.
• Lower face/submental: Areas surrounding the mouth, chin, jaw line, jowls, and under the chin.
• Full face: This includes the periorbital region as well as the mid/lower facial parts.

Important outcomes

• Face: Softened lines around the lips, eyes, and forehead; better definition of the jawline and beneath the chin
• Body: Smoother skin on the abdomen and legs; improved contours and look of crepey skin.
• Eyes: Reduced wrinkles and "hooding" for a more alert appearance.

 

Will I need multiple treatments?

Unlike many laser procedures that need four or more sessions, the majority of patients have had positive outcomes with a single Thermage treatment. Other skin-improvement methods complement Thermage and can be utilized immediately or shortly after your treatment.

BOTOX Cosmetic is a well-known wrinkle relaxer for areas that encounter chronic muscle activity, such as the forehead and the area between the brows, which gives a troubled appearance. Wrinkle fillers are the frosting on the cake for aging lines and creases. If you have inherited genes that cause your skin to seem older than it should, or if you have spent too much time in the sun, the resulting wrinkles can be corrected using the most recent filler treatments. The power of Sculptra, a unique collagen stimulating substance that restores the youthful plumpness lost due to aging or sickness, may replenish lost face volume. Radiesse is utilized for deep nasolabial folds, cheek augmentation and mild nose contouring.

 

Immediate and long-term outcomes

Recent Thermage tests demonstrate that meaningful tightening effects come gradually after a single treatment session. The technique causes extra collagen production, therefore the results are long-lasting. It does not, like any other surgery, halt the natural aging process. Any improvement, even a surgical facelift, may fade over time due to the natural aging of the skin and supporting structures.

There is no downtime with thermage.

Most people resume their normal activities soon after the thermage operation. Mild redness (similar to a sunburn) may occur in some persons, although it normally fades rapidly. Unless otherwise indicated, no particular care is required following therapy.

What to expect from thermage skin tightening's effectiveness?

• Smoother, firmer skin in all treated regions, including the belly, legs, arms, knees, and thighs; improved eyelid crepiness; and better definition of facial features around the jaw and neckline.
• Thermage Eyes is the market's ONLY FDA-approved nonsurgical technique for enhancing the eyelid and eye region.

If you meet the success requirements, thermage is an effective approach to accomplish tightness. This treatment is not for everyone, and you should consult with a doctor before proceeding. It is not a replacement for a facelift and in most situations, will not be significant. Thermage is noted for mild shaping and firming.

Tightening body skin with thermage flx

Sagging body skin, whether caused by natural aging or pregnancy or weight loss, does not have to be permanent. Everyone wants to have firm skin, and Thermage skin tightening treatments can assist with that. Thermage has raised public awareness of the treatment's capacity to tighten loose body skin, particularly on the belly. Thermage may help tighten crepe-like skin after pregnancy or after liposuction.

Thermage is an effective combo treatment along with Mesotherapy. Although these treatments cause tightness on their own, the combination of the two has the potential to improve firmness in the regions treated. Thermage recently released Thermage ThermaTip CL, a single treatment for cellulite reduction.

Most significantly, there is no recuperation or downtime for the patient. Patients can return to work immediately following the operation. Second, using Thermage for skin tightening eliminates the need for cutting, surgical drainage, stitches, or bruises. Lastly, there is no particular follow-up regime.

 

Should I check with a doctor first?

Thermage is generally safe. However, if you have any pre-existing medical or skin concerns, contact a doctor or see a board certified dermatologist before undergoing any of these treatments.

You cannot receive either Thermage if:

• you're pregnant or nursing
• you have an implanted pacemaker
• you have an implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD)

Because Thermage employs RF radiation, some people may be concerned about low-level radiation exposure. If you are concerned, speak with your doctor about the risk and how it affects your health.

 

Are there any Risks associated with Thermage?

Thermage, like any medical procedure, has possible side effects and risks.

The following are the most prevalent transient adverse effects of Thermage, which normally reduce or disappear within 24 hours:

• Transient redness
• Tingling and mild swelling
• Small indentations in the skin may occur.

Although these are typically transient. If they haven't gone away after 24 hours, contact your provider.

 

Does Thermage Hurt?

It's reasonable to question if the process hurts. Admittedly, practically all medical-level treatments entail some amount of pain or discomfort. But there are numerous ways integrated - or that we may add - to make cosmetic treatments of any sort more "doable".

Thermage employs cryogen spray-controlled super-cooling - during the whole treatment. Each RF pulse is sandwiched between these cooling bursts to keep your skin surface protected, colder, and more pleasant. Comfort Pulse Technology (CPT) is a vibrating motion that diverts your brain's attention away from pain. It's quite effective! As the treatment tip contacts your skin, you'll feel a thrill.

 

Does Radio Frequency Skin Tightening need to be Repeated?

Every person's response to Thermage skin tightening is unique. The capacity of your body to respond to heat stimulation for skin remodeling cannot be totally anticipated, but appropriate patient selection is a vital component in attaining successful outcomes. As previously stated, an in-person evaluation is required to determine whether or not the desired outcome is achievable.

Additional If desired, Thermage skin tightening treatments can be safely repeated later. Annual operations to maintain collagen synthesis active are not uncommon as a maintenance therapy.

Conclusion 

Thermage are common nonsurgical facelift procedures for addressing aged skin that are deemed safe, involve little recovery time, and have few adverse effects. If you have any medical or skin issues, see a doctor before attempting one of these treatments. It's also a good idea to consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic cosmetic surgeon about all of your options to choose which operation is best for you.