How Does Thermage Work?

How Does Thermage Work?

• Thermage technology uses radiofrequency energy to tighten skin that has lost its elasticity due to aging, sun exposure, and genetics. The skin is comprised of the outer layer (epidermis) which is the superficial layer that tans or burns, and a deeper layer (dermis) where the collagen and elastin give the skin its structural integrity. As we get older, the collagen in the dermal layer loses its organized pattern and becomes less abundant. Thermage works in a manner similar to shrink-wrapping.  A cooling phase protects the epidermis, then a short pulse of heat is delivered to the dermal collagen, followed by a cooling phase to keep the heat in the dermis. Thermage gives an instant, subtle improvement due to the immediate contracture of the existing collagen in the dermis. This initial result progressively improves over a period of two to three months as the body makes more collagen in response to the initial Thermage treatment. The results from a single treatment will last for years. 

• What is the Thermage procedure?

• • Thermage is a non-invasive therapy that delivers tighter skin, renewed facial contours, and healthier collagen. Sometimes referred to as the non-surgical facelift. Thermage procedure uses a patented radio-frequency (RF) technology. Thermage has been clinically proven to tighten as well as gently lift the skin to smooth out wrinkles along with renew facial and neck contours. The incision-free procedure is fast and easy, plus it requires no downtime from normal activities.
  
  
  
  
  What areas can be treated with Thermage?
  • Thermage is used to treat the face, neck, eyelids, abdomen and hands. Each area requires different treatment tips, designed specifically for the region being treated.
                                    
                                          * Six specific regions of the body are treated with Thermage using site specific technology. *
  
  
  
  
  Face By Thermage
  • Thermage can be used to lift sagging eyebrows, raise and sculpt cheeckbones, as well as redefine teh jaw lines. It can tighten wrinkled skin and give you a revitalized youthful appearance.
  • The full list of areas that are treated on the face includes:                  
                                                    (1) forehead and around the eyes                     
                                                    (2) mid-lower face (cheeks, around the mouth, jaw lines, jowls, and area under the chin)                                                                                                                                                   (3) lower face/submental: includes the area around the mouth, chin, jawline, jowls, and area under the chin                                                                                                               (4) full face
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  ​Neck By Thermage
  • Popular non-surgical treatment to improve the appearance of loose neck skin as well as "double chin."
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  Eyes by Thermage
  • Special eyelid tip allows for the treatment of eyelid skin, helping to tighten loose skin of the upper eyelids, as well as tighten and smooth the skin of the lower eyelids. Dark circles are diminished, fine lines are softened, and baggy eyes become less apparent.
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  Body Shaping by Thermage
  • Thermage's Body Shape procedure is a non-invasive procedure that can help tighten, firm, and shape the body following just one treatment without surgery or injections, plus little to no downtime. Designed specifically for body sculpting, the newest thermage tip delivers its tightening effect more deeply into the thicker dermal layers of the body skin to not only tighten the existing collagen, but to also eliminate unwanted superficial fat and improve the appearance of cellulite.
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  Stomach by Thermage
  • Regardless of how physically fit an individual may be, loose skin on the stomach cannot be eliminated through exercise alone. Therage is used to treat loose abdominal skin, especially in women who have just given birth and wanting to return to their pre-pregnancy appearance as well as in individuals after liposuction.
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  Hands by Thermage
  • The latest solution from Thermage, the specially designed tip allows for tightening of the delicate skin on the back of the hands and a youthful appearance.
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  Cellulite by Thermage
  • With a one time comfortable treatment that requires no downtime. Thermage is able to improve the appearance of cellulite, tightening, outline of the legs, as well as buttocks.
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  How does Thermage work?
  • ​Thermage system uses a sophisticated treatment tip, which delivers a controlled amount of RF energy. With each touch to the skin, the Thermage treatment tip 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 deep 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 youthful appearance.
  
  
  Who is the ideal candidate for Thermage?
  • The ideal candidate for this skin tightening with Thermage is a person with mild laxity of skin who is not yet a facelift candidate. These patients can consider using Thermage every three to five years to try to put off a more invasive procedure. Thermage should not be done in place of a face lift. Sometimes it is done to supplement the effects of a facelift.
  
  
  What does the Thermage procedure feel like and how long does it take?
  • With each touch of the tip, you will experience a brief, deep heating sensation as the RF energy is delivered to your skin and underlying tissue. This deep heating sensation is your indication that your collagen is reaching effective temperatures for tightening. Your doctor controls the amount of energy delivered to balance procedural comfort with maximum results. The tip is cooled before, during, and after heating to protect your skin and make the treatment more comfortable. The Thermage procedure can take anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the treatment area. Pre-treatment with topical anesthesia may be required as well.
  
  
  What happens during the procedure?
  • Initially your face will be cleansed to remove any residual oils. A topical anesthetic may be applied depending on the specific treatment. We then take preoperative photos and then draw various markings on your skin to indicate which areas might need additional tightening. Much like making alterations to an article of clothing, the Thermage treatment is customized to provide the most benefit for each individual patient. A special pad will be placed on your back. This pad completes the "circuit" for the RF energy. You will lie on a comfortable table and a paper transfer will be used to place a "grid" on the areas of your face 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.
  • 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. Once the treatment is completed, the grid is removed.
  
  
  What will my skin feel like after the Thermage procedure?
  • Immediately following a Thermage procedure, your skin should feel tighter, smoother and youthful. Overtime, you will notice additional tightening.
  
  
  When will I see results and how long will the effects of the Thermage procedure last?
  • Recently published studies conducted by Thermage show that measurable tightening improvements appear gradually over 2 to 6 months after a single treatment session. The Thermage procedure causes immediate tightening of the collagen structure, with additional tightening over time. It is expected that results last for years.
  
  
  Is the Thermage procedure safe?
  • The Thermage procedure has an excellent safety record. With over 190,000 estimated worldwide patient treatments to date the reported incidence of side effects is less than .4%, and these were minor. The most frequently reported incidents are classified as swelling, redness, bumps and blisters on or around the treated area. These side effects have usually disappeared in a few days or weeks.
  
  
  How long before I can return to my normal activities after Thermage?
  • 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 Thermage treatment unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
  
  
  Can you use Thermage in combination with other procedures?
  • Yes, most definitely. Thermage is often used in combination with other procedures such as Fraxel or Intense Pulsed Light, if other signs of skin aging are present such as sun spots.
  
  
  Are there different Thermage devices?
  • Yes. The most recent device to be released is named Thermage NXT. It is important to ask the physician if they will be using this to confirm you are being treated with the most advanced technology available today.