THERMAGE (RADIOFREQUENCY THERAPY)

Thermage is a safe, clinically proven non–invasive procedure that uses a breakthrough capacitive radiofrequency (CRF) technology to tighten, contour and rejuvenate skin.

What It Treats

Thermage works best for tightening skin on the face, but is also used on the abdomen, thighs, arms, and even on the buttocks. The best candidates for treatment are people who have mild to moderate skin laxity. This group includes not only people whose skin has wrinkled and drooped with age, but also younger people who have recently had a child or lost some weight.

Thermage also works great as a “combination” skin rejuvenation treatment–with laser skin resurfacing, for example, or with Botox and a dermal filler, such as Radiesse.

How It Works

Thermage delivers CRF energy to the skin through a device called the ThermaCool. This technology performs dual actions: It heats collagen fibers (the material that supports the skin’s structure) deep within the skin while emitting a cool spray to protect the skin’s surface. The heating action causes underlying tissue to immediately tighten and also stimulates the gradual growth of new collagen, which further plumps up and tightens the skin.

What the Treatment Involves

A Thermage procedure may take anywhere from 30 minutes to up to two hours, depending on the size of the area to be treated. You’ll feel a heating sensation as the CRF energy is delivered to your skin and underlying tissue. Because this sensation can be uncomfortable, you may be given an oral analgesic medication before your treatment. You may return to your normal activities immediately, and you’ll need no special after–care. Some people experience mild redness, but it typically disappears within a few days.

Although you’ll see some improvement from the newly tightened skin right after the procedure, most results occur gradually over a period of two to six months as new collagen forms.

As with all cosmetic procedures, Thermage poses some inherent risks. But those risks are small: Studies have shown that the risk of side effects from the procedure, including scarring, is less than 0.5 percent. The biggest risk involves the amount of skin tightening, which is variable. A small percentage of individuals do not notice any tightening at all.

See also:
Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Lax Skin