As we age, each of us would like to have the firmer, tighter skin of our younger days. But with each passing year our body just keeps producing less and less collagen. Since collagen provides the underlying structural framework for our skin, this decrease allows the skin to sag, thin, lose volume, and develop lines and creases. A surgical facelift can turn back the clock, but most people aren’t ready for that surgery.
At Callender Dermatology and Cosmetic Center, we now offer a non-surgical alternative for tightening your skin — Thermage®. Thermage® uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin. All without a scalpel in sight!
What is Thermage®?
Sometimes referred to as a facelift without surgery, Thermage® delivers radiofrequency energy into the dermis layer of the skin. There the RF energy converts to heat and triggers a wound response in the body. The body responds by contracting existing collagen across the treatment areas, and then it initiates new collagen production. The result is firmer, younger-looking skin.
Who is a good candidate for Thermage® Treatment?
If your skin isn’t as firm and tight as you would like, you’re a great candidate for Thermage®. The procedure has very little risk and no recovery time.
What areas can be treated with Thermage®?
Thermage® is safe for most areas of your body. This includes the face, eyes, abdomen, upper arms, backs of the hands, thighs, and buttocks.
How does Thermage® Tighten and Firm Skin?
Our skin has three layers: the epidermis (the visible outer layer); the dermis (the collagen-rich layer found beneath the epidermis); and the hypodermis, also called the subcutaneous layer (the fat layer under the dermis). As we age, the collagen found in the dermis breaks down and our production of new collagen declines. This causes the skin to wrinkle and sag. Treatments that work on the epidermis are only surface improvements with fleeting results. They do nothing to restore and build the collagen in the dermis and fat layer.
Thermage®, because it targets collagen below the epidermis in the dermis, tightens skin and revitalizes its supportive function. Utilizing capacitive radiofrequency (CRF) technology, the Thermage® procedure utilizes a specialized treatment tip called the ThermaTip™. The ThermaTip™ delivers the CRF to the skin in controlled amounts, without harming the epidermis. It heats the dermis and subcutaneous layer, tricking the body into thinking it has suffered an injury. This is because when the RF energy passes through the epidermis it converts to heat, and when the body senses heat below the epidermis it assumes there has been a wound. The body’s response to this perceived injury is to produce new collagen to rebuild the skin’s support structure. Results continue to improve for four to six months after treatment as new collagen is produced.
Compared to invasive procedures, Thermage® is the safer choice. Unlike lasers that may not work on certain skin types because of the risks of hyperpigmentation, Thermage® can be used on all skin colors. Plus, it only takes a single treatment to achieve optimal results.
What happens during a Thermage® Skin Tightening procedure?
Patients report a brief, heat sensation every time energy is delivered to the deeper layers of the skin with the ThermaTip™. The higher the setting used during the Thermage® procedure, which can lead to more impressive final results, the more discomfort there can be.
Can Thermage® be combined with other Callender Dermatology procedures?
Thermage® is completely non-invasive and doesn’t require any recovery. It can be combined with numerous procedures, everything from laser hair removal to BOTOX injections. Ask us about some good complementary treatments to your Thermage® session.
how long will the Results of Thermage® last?
Results are not immediate with Thermage®. There is an initial contraction of collagen, but the real results come with the increase in collagen production over time. Your skin tightens gradually as the new collagen builds over the treatment areas. This will occur starting in 6-8 weeks and will continue for about six months. From there, the results of a single Thermage® session can last for 1-2 years, depending on the condition of your skin and your individual aging.
How many treatments will I need to see results?
Unlike many skin procedures that demand numerous sessions to see results, Thermage® delivers in just a single treatment.
Are there any side effects with Thermage®?
This is a non-invasive, easy to take procedure. Some patients have temporary redness or minor swelling on treatment areas, but this usually resolves within 24 hours. Surface skin irregularities may also be present, but are very rare, occurring in less than .08 percent of those treated.
