Skin Care: Thermage

Thermage is a cosmetic procedure which is incision-free and requires no downtime from normal activities. Thermage is administered in a doctor’s office and can be performed on patients of all skin types and colors. Results are achieved in a single treatment as compared to other technologies requiring five or more treatment sessions.

Thermage works by heating deep collagen fibers and underlying tissue in the skin, using a handheld heating device. The tip of the device briefly touches the skin, delivering the Capacitive Radiofrequency (CRF) energy deep beneath the skin. With each touch of the device, the patient experiences a brief, deep heating sensation. This deep heating sensation indicates that collagen is reaching effective temperatures for tightening.

To protect the skin and make the procedure more comfortable, the surface of the skin is cooled with a spray before, during, and after each application of CRF energy. The doctor may offer the patient light pain medications prior to treatment to minimize sensation.

The deep structures in the skin, and underlying tissue, tighten immediately and continue to gradually improve for up to six months. Unpublished reports by cosmetic doctors indicate that results may last for years, but are based on the patent’s natural aging process.

The Thermage procedure can be performed on different areas of the face including:

• Periorbital region: forehead and area around the eyes
• Mid/Lower face: cheeks, area around mouth, jaw line, jowls, area under chin
• Lower face: area around the mouth, chin, jaw line, jowls, area under chin
• Full face: the periorbital region and mid/lower face areas

The procedure may take as little as 20 minutes or up to two hours depending on the size of the area being treated. There is no pre-procedure preparation, such as blood work or fasting required.

With over 250,000 estimated worldwide treatments to date, the reported incidence of side effects is less than 0.4%, indicating an excellent safety record for Thermage. The most frequently reported side effects included swelling, redness, bumps, and blisters on or around the treated area; these disappeared in a few days or weeks.

So, what does this cost? That is the kicker. In the U.S., the procedure cost may range from $1,000 to $5,000 based on the facial areas treated.

In a nutshell Thermage is a safe, fast, non-surgical, single-treatment, but not entirely inexpensive procedure, that generally shows immediate results!