Answers
to Patients’ Frequently Asked Questions about Thermage
What
is Thermage? Thermage is a safe, non-invasive
procedure that’s clinically proven to help smooth, tighten and contour skin for an overall younger looking appearance.
The treatment delivers natural looking results with little to no downtime – on all skin colors, on and off the face,
all in a single procedure. Since there is no surgery involved you can generally return to normal activities immediately following
the procedure.
Will Thermage get rid of the spots and other skin problems also? During your consultation will see if Thermage is all you need, or if it would be better to have some combination
of treatments like the Mini-facelift
plus package
What are the advantages of Thermage? Significant advantages are
- Single treatment. Generally, some improvement is immediately visible and continues for up to six months.
- Little to no downtime. After treatment, you can quickly get back to your normal routine.
- Color
blind. Unlike lasers, Thermage procedures work on
all skin types and colors.
- The year round procedure. After a Thermage procedure, you do not have to avoid the sun as with laser treatments. Schedule your Thermage procedure
in the summer or any time that’s right for you!
How long has Thermage been available? The Thermage device was first cleared by the FDA in 2002 and has been available
in physician offices since then.
What parts of the body do Thermage
procedures treat? Thermage procedures can effectively and safely treat skin on most body
parts, including the face, eyes, lips, tummy, arms, hands, thighs and buttocks. Thermage can also temporarily reduce
the appearance of cellulite. In this office, Thermage procedures are performed on the .
What kind of results can I expect? Your
skin can look smoother and more youthful as the tighter underlying collagen offers better support. Depending on what you have
treated:
• Your eyes can look brighter with reduced hooding.
•
Elsewhere on
the body, wrinkled, crepey or sagging skin can appear smoother;
bulging skin can be tighter and firmer.
• Redefined contours
along the jaw line and under the chin
• Softening of wrinkles and fine lines around
the mouth, eyes and forehead
• Tightening the saggy skin under the chin
Results vary depending on age and skin condition.
When
do the results appear, and how long do they last? Some immediate results are usually visible and improve over time in the course of your body’s
natural collagen rebuilding process. For most patients, measurable tightening and contouring gradually appear in the two to
six months following a single treatment session. Results can last years depending on your skin condition
and aging process.
How many treatments will I need? Unlike many laser procedures requiring four or more sessions, Thermage treatment
delivers results in a single treatment for most patients.
What
will I look like immediately after the procedure? Usually better immediately.
Can
I go right back to work? There’s no special care needed after
treatment and most patients return to their regular activities immediately following treatment.
Does it hurt?
Each time the treatment
device touches your skin, you’ll feel a brief cooling sensation, followed by a deep but brief heating sensation, followed
by another cooling sensation. The heating sensation is a sign that the deep layers of your skin are reaching effective temperatures
for tightening, while the cooling sensation protects the surface of your skin. Throughout the procedure, we will ask for feedback
on the level of
heat sensation to help balance your comfort with maximum
results.
Can I get a Thermage procedure instead of a facelift? Thermage can definitely tighten your skin, but it won’t
provide the dramatic results of a surgical facelift. If you would like modest tightening of your skin without surgery, then
Thermage may be right for you. We will discuss the different approaches with you during your consultation.
Can I avoid other cosmetic procedures if I do this? Each procedure has its own benefits. Thermage is a great non-invasive choice for skin smoothing,
tightening and contouring. During your consultation, we will discuss which procedure is best for you and your desired results.
Can I get a Thermage procedure if I’ve already had other procedures? Thermage procedures are compatible with most other cosmetic
procedures, like soft-tissue fillers, Fraxel or even Botox. For best results you will need to discuss your past procedures,
as well as your current expectations with Dr. during your consultation.
Is
it safe? Thermage procedures have an excellent safety record.
Of course, as with any procedure there’s always some risk. We will discuss those with you during your consultation.
Side effects are generally mild and may include redness, swelling,
blisters,
bumps and rare instances of surface irregularities.
How does it work? As you age,
the collagen in your skin breaks down resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin.Thermage uses patented radiofrequency (RF) technology to safely heat the deeper layers of your skin,
stimulating existing collagen
and promoting new collagen growth for younger looking skin.
How much does the Thermage procedure cost? The cost depends on the area you’re having treated. We encourage you to come in for a
consultation at which point we can give you a
more precise idea of cost.
