Thermage
- What is Thermage?
- Is Thermage Safe?
- Where Can Thermage Be Used?
- How Long Do Results Last?
- Your Thermage Treatment
- Precautions
- Post Treatment Instructions
- Questions You May Have
What is Thermage?
As we age, the collagen in our skin begins to break down. Because collagen is the building block that provides structure to the skin, its loss of elasticity causes facial skin to wrinkle, sag, and lose firmness. The Thermage procedure is the only non-invasive facial treatment that delivers tighter skin, renewed facial contours, and healthier collagen. The incision-free procedure is fast, easy, and requires no downtime from normal activities. And unlike laser procedures, the Thermage procedure can be performed on patients of all skin types.
Using a patented radiofrequency (RF) technology called ThermaCool™, the Thermage procedure tightens skin and renews facial contours by reshaping your skin's innermost structures. A sophisticated device called a ThermaTip is used to uniformly stimulate and heat a large volume of collagen in the deeper layers of the skin and its underlying tissue while simultaneously protecting the outer layer of the skin with cooling. This uniform heating action causes deep structures in your skin to immediately tighten. Over time, new and remodeled collagen is produced to further tighten skin, resulting in healthier, smoother skin and a more youthful appearance.
The Thermage procedure is available only in the offices of qualified plastic surgeons such as the doctors of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery. The doctors and staff of the Institute will provide you with detailed information on the Thermage procedure and determine how the procedure can be used to achieve the facial appearance you desire.
Is Thermage Safe?
The ThermaCool™ technology has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Thermage procedure has an excellent safety record. With over 70,000 estimated worldwide patient treatments to date, the reported incidence of side effects is less than 1%. The most frequently reported side effects are swelling, redness, bumps, and blisters on or around the treated area. These side effects usually disappear in a few days or weeks.
The doctors of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will answer any questions you have concerning the safety of the ThermaCool™ technology
Where Can Thermage Be Used?
The FDA-approved ThermaCool™ device provides a revolutionary new non-invasive radiofrequency technology that tightens and gently lifts skin to smooth out wrinkles and renew facial contours. The Thermage procedure can be used on all areas of the face except the tender skin around the eyes. The procedure can also be used on the neck area directly under the chin.
How Long Do Results Last?
The Thermage procedure causes immediate tightening of the facial collagen structure, with additional tightening occurring over time. Results may last 24 months or longer based on the patient's natural aging process. As with all cosmetic procedures, results may vary and it is best to discuss your individual case with the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery during your initial consultation.
Your Thermage Treatment
The Thermage procedure delivers a controlled amount of radiofrequency (RF) energy to the wrinkled and sagging areas of your face. The doctor controls the amount of energy delivered to balance procedural comfort with maximum results.
The radiofrequency energy is delivered via a ThermaTip device. This device uniformly heats a large volume of collagen in the deeper layers of the skin and its underlying tissue while simultaneously protecting the outer layer of the skin with cooling. With each touch of the ThermaTip device, you experience a brief, deep heating sensation as the RF energy is delivered to your skin and underlying tissue. This deep heating sensation is your indication that your collagen is reaching effective temperatures for tightening. Most patients report feeling a sensation of heat rather than a feeling of pain or discomfort.
Your Thermage treatment is performed in the doctor's office and may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour to complete, depending on the size of the treatment area. Prior to treatment, the doctor may apply an anesthetic cream to enhance your comfort. If you like, the doctor may also prescribe relaxants and/or pain medication.
Little or no recovery time is needed; you may resume normal activities immediately. Side effects of the procedure are minimal, other than short-term swelling, redness, bumps, and blisters on or around the treated area. These side effects usually disappear in a few days or weeks; contact The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery if the side effects worsen or prove troublesome.
Measurable tightening of the treated areas appears gradually from two to six months after a single treatment session.
Precautions
While no pre-treatment tests are required, there are a few precautions you should take prior to your Thermage procedure:
- Avoid using aspirin, non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicines, St. John's Wort, or high does of Vitamin E supplements for one week prior to your procedure because they may cause bruising or bleeding at the treatment site.
- Do not consume alcohol leading up to and immediately after your Thermage procedure because alcohol can effect the circulation and blood flow in your body, which could impact the effectiveness of your procedure.
- You should avoid undergoing a Thermage procedure if you have an infection in the area where the procedure will be performed.
- The safety of Thermage for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding has not been established.
- The safety of Thermage for patients under 18 years of age has not been determined.
The doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will discuss these precautions and answer any specific questions you may have during your initial consultation.
Post Treatment Instructions
While there are limited side effects from your Thermage procedure, there are a few post-treatment instructions you should be aware of. The doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will discuss these instructions and answer any questions you may have prior to your treatment.
Immediately after your treatment, you may notice temporary redness, swelling, bumps, and blisters on or around the treated area. These effects are minor and typically disappear in a few weeks. Cold compresses may be used immediately after your treatment to reduce swelling. If the inconvenience continues beyond two to three days or if other reactions occur, call The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery.
- Until any initial redness and swelling have disappeared, avoid exposure of the treated area to intense heat (sunlamp or sunbathing).
- Avoid touching the treated area within six hours of your treatment. After that, the area can be gently washed with soap and water.
- Avoid exercise and alcohol for six hours after your treatment.
Questions You May Have
Are there other procedures that could be done along with Thermage Procedure to restore the full and youthful appearance of my face?
here are a variety of surgical procedures that can reduce facial wrinkles and enhance the overall appearance of your face: Facelift, Brow Lift, Eyelid Surgery, Facial Implants, Contour Threads Lift, or Botox Injections. Complementary procedures will be discussed with you during your initial consultation with the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery.
Will my insurance coverage pay for my Thermage Procedure?
Your Thermage procedure is considered a cosmetic treatment and, therefore, is not covered by your insurance. You are responsible for the full payment for your procedure. Cost and payment information will be discussed in detail with you during your initial consultation.
