Thermage is an aesthetic treatment that can eliminate common signs of aging, like wrinkles and sagging facial skin without the need for invasive surgery. This makes it ideally suitable for people who are only looking to make slight enhancements to their appearance, and prefer not to have to go under a scalpel, get prodded with needles, burnt with lasers or chemicals.

Process

Collagen is the main component of the skin dermis, and is responsible for giving strength to the skin. As a person ages, the quantity of collagen being produced in the body decreases, and this leads to the skin losing its suppleness and developing wrinkles. The thermage treatment leads to a tightening of the collagen, thus reducing the laxity of the skin, smoothening wrinkles and redefining the contours of the face.

The procedure makes use of radiofrequency to generate a zone of heating in the tissue and the skin dermis. Simultaneously, a process of cooling protects the epidermis. When the collagen is heated, a natural reaction occurs, leading to a contraction and thickening of the collagen in a process called denaturation. Besides this, there is another result of the heating process. Here, the body boosts the production of new collagen as part of its natural healing process. Thus, the skin becomes tighter. These two processes work together to provide a skin tightening effect that’s both immediate as well as long term.

Differs from other procedure

Thermage is the only procedure that affects the production of collagen, in a totally non surgical, non invasive process. While there are other procedures that work on collagen creation, thermage is the only one that does not involve the use of lasers or needles. Besides, this is the only procedure that leads not only to firmer skin, but also newly defined facial contours.

Thermage face treatments

Despite all the jars and bottles in your bathroom, you just can't seem to put on, rub in or lightly spritz the younger looking face that you want. Sure, you could get a face lift, but surgery seems so extreme-and besides, with your schedule, you simply can't afford the downtime.

When lotions and potions aren't enough and a face lift is too much, a thermage face procedure is the perfect solution. Thermage helps smooth and tighten your facial skin, while redefining the natural contours of your face-all in a single treatment with little to no downtime. So before long, you'll love what you see in the mirror.

What the face procedure treats:

• sagging skin
• loose jowls or lack of definition in jaw line
• sagging skin under the chin (also known as "turkey neck")
• wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth, eyes or forehead
• lack of definition in lips

Natural looking results:

• smoother, tighter skin with less sagging
• redefined contours along the jaw line and under the chin
• softening of wrinkles and fine lines
• reduction of excess skin under the chin
• fuller lips with improved definition

The thermage face procedure averages about 45 minutes, and you can reapply make-up and return to routine activities right after treatment.

Thermage eyes treatments

Do you look tired even though you're not? Do people think you were out late last night when you were actually in bed by 9pm? from under eye bags and sags to crow's feet and puffy eyelids, some eye conditions can make you look more tired and older than you really are.

The good news: Thermage is a great sight for tired looking eyes. The non-invasive thermage procedure helps smooth and tighten skin around the eyes and eyelids-for eyes that look younger, lifted and more awake. All with no surgery, no injections, and little to no downtime. In fact, thermage has the industry's first and only FDA clearance for non-invasive eyelid treatments.

What the eye procedure treats:

• tired looking eyes
• excess skin on the upper eyelid (also known as "hooding")
• creepy texture of eyelids, which can make it hard to apply eye shadow or eye liner
• wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes (also known as "crow's feet")

Natural looking results:

• brighter looking eyes that appear more lifted and less tired
• smoother, tighter skin around the eyes
• reduced under eye sagging and tauter contours around the eyes
• reduced hooding to reveal more of the eyelid
• softening of wrinkles and fine lines
• smoother skin on the eyelids, enabling easier application of make-up

The thermage eye procedure takes under an hour, and you can reapply make-up and return to routine activities right after treatment.

Thermage body treatments

Truth is, as your skin ages, your collagen breaks down faster than your body can rebuild it-which often results in unwanted sags, bulges and wrinkles. But thermage can help renew your body's collagen to firm, lift and contour your skin. With no surgery, no injections, and little to no downtime.

In other words, with thermage, you can celebrate the return to your younger looking shape.

What the body procedure treats:

• wrinkled, creepy or sagging skin on the tummy, knees, arms, legs, hands or buttocks
• sagging skin or unwanted bulges after pregnancy or weight loss
• love handles
• thin, loose, creepy skin on hands
• appearance of cellulite

Natural looking results:

• flatter, smoother skin on the tummy, knees, legs, arms, hands or buttocks
• tightening, firming and lifting of love handles and unwanted bulges
• softened wrinkles above the knees and elsewhere
• reduction of creepy skin on the arms and other areas
• thicker, smoother skin on the hands
• smoothed dimples for temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite

The thermage body procedure takes anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes, and you can return to routine activities right after treatment.

Frequently asked questions?

What does a thermage procedure feel like?

Each time a thermage treatment is delivered there is an immediate cool sensation, followed by a brief hot sensation, followed by a cool sensation. An anesthetic cream applied one hour before the procedure numbs the surface of the skin to help make the treatment more comfortable. Your physician may offer additional measures to increase your comfort.

How long will the thermage procedure take?

Depending on the size of the area treated, the thermage procedure itself may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. Your physician may require that you arrive an hour before your procedure for administration of an anesthetic cream. This patient had her forehead skin treated in about 25 minutes. Note the change in the appearance of her eyes.

When can I return to my normal activities?

You may return to your normal activities immediately, as there is usually no "downtime". Minimal redness is seen in some patients but it usually disappears shortly after treatment. Heat-related complications can occur but are uncommon. There is no special care needed after treatment. As a part of good skin care, sunscreen is recommended.

How long will the effects of the thermage procedure last?

Recently published studies show that improvements continue for at least six months after a single treatment session. Other studies show that thermal collagen changes can last several years, depending on the rate of the aging process.

How safe is it?

The thermage procedure is very safe. Although it is possible that skin damage can occur, this advanced treatment has been studied carefully in hundreds of patients with minimal reports of lasting adverse effects.