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The
Effect
Skin
feels tighter, smoother, and younger looking right after a
Thermage procedure. As time goes on, additional tightening
of the skin becomes noticeable.
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The
Procedure
Thermage utilizes a patented radiofrequency (RF) technology
called ThermaCool™ which has been clinically proven to
tighten and gently lift skin, hence, smoothing out wrinkles
as well as restore facial contours. This procedure does not
require any incisions, is fast and easy, and has no down
time, making you go about your normal activities. The
ThermaCool is used for the non-invasive treatment of facial
wrinkles and rhytids.
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Best
Candidates
This
procedure can be done on patients of all skin types unlike
the lasers.
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Treatments
Depending on the size of the treatment area, the time
required for this procedure usually takes a few minutes to
an hour. For skin preparation before the procedure,
additional time may be necessary.
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Side Effects
The
reported incidence of side effects in the Thermage procedure
in approximately 70,000 patients worldwide is actually less
than 1% which makes this procedure excellently safe. The
most common reported side effects are swelling, redness or
erythema, bumps and blisters on or surrounding the area
treated. These side effects are usually gone in a few days
or weeks. However, less than 0.2% of cases have a longer
lasting effect which is described as a skin depression.
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Recovery Time
usually after the Thermage procedure, majority of the
patients return to their normal activities. A mild redness
similar to a sunburn may be experienced but will also fade
right away. Unless instructed by your doctor, no special
care is needed after the procedure.
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Q:
What is the Thermage procedure?
A:
The Thermage procedure makes use of a patented
radiofrequency (RF) technology called ThermaCool™ which has
been clinically established to make the skin taut and gently
lifts the skin in order to smooth out wrinkles and restore
facial contours. This procedure does not use any incisions
and is fast and easy. There is also no down time from one’s
activities of daily living. Thermage can be performed on
patients of all skin types unlike the lasers. ThermaCool is
used for the non-invasive treatment of facial wrinkles and
rhytids and has been cleared by the FDA.
Q: How
does it work?
A:
The ThermaTip™, which is a sophisticated treatment tip, is
utilized in the ThermaCool system. This works bu delivering
a controlled amount of RF energy. When the ThermaTip device
touches the skin, it evenly heats a large volume of collagen
in the deeper layers of the skin and its underlying tissue
at the same time, keeping the outer layer of the skin
undamaged with cooling. The deep uniform heating action
results to tightening of the deep structures in the skin
immediately. As time goes by, new and remodeled collagen is
produced which further tightens the skin leading to a
healthier and smoother skin and a more revitalized look.
Q:
What will my skin feel like after the procedure?
A:
Skin would feel tighter, smoother, and more youthful looking
right after the Thermage procedure. As time goes on,
additional tightening may be noticed.
Q:
What does the Thermage procedure feel like?
A:
A brief, deep heating sensation is felt as the RF energy is
sent to the skin and underlying tissue with the use of
ThermaTip device. The deep heating sensation indicates that
the collagen is attaining efficient temperatures for
tightening. The physician makes sure to control the amount
of energy delivered in order to balance procedural comfort
with maximum results. To make treatment more comfortable
and to protect the patient’s skin, the ThermaTip device is
cooled before, during and after heating. An anesthetic
cream may also be applied before the treatment in order to
add to the patient’s comfort. Relaxants and/or pain
medications may also be prescribed.
Q: How
many treatments are needed?
A:
usually, a single Thermage treatment would already produce
results in most of the patients. The appropriate course of
treatment will be determined by the physician.
Q: How
long does Thermage take?
A:
Depending on the size of the area treated, this procedure
may take only a few minutes to an hour. Skin preparation
before the procedure usually takes additional time.
Q: Is
the Thermage procedure safe?
A:
This procedure is very safe with a reported incidence of
side effects less than 1% over approximately 70,000 patients
worldwide. The usual side effects reported are swelling,
redness or erythema, bumps, and blisters on or surrounding
the area treated. These side effects are usually gone in a
few days or weeks. A longer lasting side effect described
as a skin depression is very rare and occurs in less than
0.2% of patients.
Q:
When will results be visible?
A:
In about 2 to 6 months, a gradual measurable tightening
improvement is visible after a single treatment session.
Q: How
long before I can return to my regular activities?
A:
Majority of patients resume their normal activities right
after the Thermage procedure. A mild redness similar to a
sunburn is experienced but this usually disappears right
away. Unless instructed by your physician, no special care
is actually needed after undergoing the treatment.
Q: How
long will the effects of the Thermage procedure last?
A:
There are reports by experienced cosmetic physicians stating
that results may last 24 months or longer depending on the
patient's natural aging process.
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