What is Thermage?
Thermage is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that improves skin texture, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and rejuvenates overall skin quality. Thermage can be used to lift sagging eyebrows, to raise and sculpt cheekbones, redefine the jaw line and target loose skin around the neck area giving you the appearance of a ‘double chin’. With Thermage you can restore a youthful freshness to any area of your body, including face, neck, tummy area or thighs – without invasive surgery.
How does it Work?
Through the natural processes of ageing, collagen in the dermis (the mid-layer of skin) is gradually lost and contributes to the formation of facial lines, sagging skin and wrinkles. The Thermage procedure uses a special treatment tip (ThermaTip™) to deliver controlled amounts of RF energy into the collagen layers of the skin. This form of energy produces a heating action that penetrates the collagen and causes it to contract and tighten. In addition, collagen production is triggered and over a period of about 6 months, new collagen grows to further tighten the skin. Thermage stimulates your body’s natural renewal of collagen, which creates subtle, natural looking results on and off the face, lik tighter, smoother skin, softened wrinkles and lines and an overall younger looking appearance. So people won’t think you’ve been away at surgery. They’ll think you’ve been away on vacation. Thermage is compatible with most cosmetic procedures; however, you will need to discuss your past procedures, as well as your current expectations, with your clinician.
Body Shaping by Thermage
Bothered by loose skin on your upper arms? Always longed for a shapely tummy but not willing to tolerate the scars and downtime of liposuction? Designed specifically for body sculpting, the newest tip delivers its tightening effect more deeply into the thicker dermal layers of the body skin to not only tighten the existing collagen, but also to eliminate unwanted superficial fat. Thermage Body Shape procedure is a non-invasive procedure that can help tighten, firm, and shape the body following just one treatment, without surgery or injections and little to no downtime.
Thermage Treatment as an Anti-Ageing Option
Thermage treatments have become a relatively popular non-invasive anti-aging treatment option for those patients who aren’t viable candidates for cosmetic surgery. These treatments use radio waves that penetrate the epidermis of the skin and interact with the cells’ collagen fibers to reshape and tighten skin in order to make the surface of the skin appear smoother. Thermage treatments are most commonly used on the face, neck, stomach, and arms, where sagging skin is most prevalent. This procedure is usually performed by doctors and skin care professionals as an outpatient treatment and usually does not require a prolonged hospital stay. Much like fractional laser treatment, thermage treatments are highly focused and the skin care specialists who perform the procedure can usually treat small areas without affecting surrounding skin.
Who Should Seek Thermage Treatments?
Because the radio waves that are used during treatment penetrate the skin and boost collagen growth without damaging or destroying the cells of the epidermis, this is a procedure that may be a viable option for even those with sensitive skin. There are few known side effects believed to be associated with Thermage treatments, and since it requires little to no healing time or after care, it’s a possible option for people who want to smooth their aging skin but can’t take time away from their busy lives to spend weeks healing from cosmetic surgery. Thermage may also be an option for people who have sagging skin around and under the eyes, as unlike many laser treatments, this procedure can treat these delicate areas more safely. However, because this is not a surgical procedure, it is important to note that its effects are not as drastic as a face lift, or other, more invasive treatment.
What to Expect During Thermage Treatment
There are no special preparations needed to undergo Thermage treatment. Your face should be free cosmetics and lotions, and its best to thoroughly wash your face in the evening and morning before treatment without applying any creams or other skin care products in between. Most skin care specialists will place a rubber grounding pad on your abdomen as a precaution, and small plastic discs are placed over the eyelids if the eye area is being treated.
As the treatment begins, the Thermage machine monitors the surface temperature of your skin and applies a cooling spray where it is needed throughout the duration of the procedure in order to minimize discomfort and redness. Because of this monitoring technology, Thermage treatments tend to be a less painful procedure to get rid of wrinkles and sagging skin. Depending on the size of the area treated, Thermage treatments typically take anywhere from one to two hours.
After Thermage Treatment
While some patients can resume activities right away, those who have thin or sensitive skin may experience redness or mild swelling that may cause discomfort. However, since patients can usually apply cosmetics right after the procedure, they may be able to conceal some of this redness. Severe swelling or bruising is unlikely with Thermage treatment, and most patients can resume normal activities almost immediately. Repeat treatments usually take place six months after the initial procedure.
Additional Thermage Side Effects
While instances of unusual side effects are rare, some patients who have undergone Thermage treatments have experienced indentations or depressions in the skin at the treatment site. This usually happens when the amount of energy used is higher than what is normally delivered in a typical treatment to target especially stubborn wrinkles. While this skin indenting is thought to be rare, it is usually seen when the procedure is used on the abdomen or the thighs. If you are concerned about any side effects that may occur with Thermage treatments, you should first discuss your medical history and goals with your doctor before undergoing the procedure.
What makes Advanced Dermatology a leading Skin Tightening Clinic?
Advanced Dermatology is a leading skin tightening provider in Australia. We have available a multitude of skin tightening treatments including Thermage, Pollogen Legend, TriPollar, Refirme/Sublime and UltraTherma which gives us the ability to treat any skin type with non-surgical treatments with little to no downtime. We’ve done thousands of treatments and are in a unique position to provide the most advanced protocols available to date. We are a global authority in the treatment of aesthetic problems with over 26,000 skin rejuvenation procedures performed across Sydney. Start with a consultation with one of our clinical staff at our Bondi Junction, Sydney City or the Gold Coast clinics.