Thermage -
A Miracle Of Radio Waves
It is estimated that more than 100,000 people rush to
cosmetic surgeons to undergo the common procedure of
having their face lifted.
In the United States, this is
one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for both
females and males. The reason facelifts are so popular
is because the technique wipes years away from the
appearance of the face. The results amount to a
thoroughly younger look in the skin. But, this is not
always the way individuals wish to go especially those
who are afraid of having surgery.
Facelifts require incisions that are made in the skin
around the scalp, forehead and around the ears. Not only
does this approach offer the threat of infection and
throbbing pain, but it also takes time from the things
you love to do or have to accomplish.
Although the
procedure lasts about 1-2 hours, the aftermath takes
much longer to bear. Sometimes people recuperate for
about a month or so, taking time off from work to
recover from their facelift.
So, what are people to do when they wish to have a more
youthful facial appearance but do not want to have
surgery? A current cosmetic approach toward achieving
facial improvements is here and it is called Thermage.
How Thermage Treatments Work: What to Expect
As the skin ages, the collagen that gives the face its
structure and youthful elasticity starts to deteriorate.
This is why unsightly wrinkles and fine lines start to
form in the skin.
Thermage works to reenergize the skin
and promote the gradual increase in newly developed
collagen. Through this procedure, wrinkles are
temporarily decreased and the face begins to adhere to
its former, youthful structure.
When undergoing a Thermage treatment, you will become
rather acquainted with a tool called ThermaCool, which
is used to tighten the skin, as well as give your face
that extra lift.
The ThermaCool device uses what is called the ThermaTip,
which produces the RF energy needed to penetrate the
skin. It is a doctor that controls how much RF energy
enters the skin by weighing your personal comfort with
how to provide the best results. The treatment will be
conducted in a comfortable office setting.
As the ThermaTip makes contact with the skin, a high
level of heat penetrates the deeper layers of collagen.
Although a hefty amount of heat is used to encourage
collagen growth, there is also a cooling effect that
covers the outer layers. This effect also offers
protection. As time passes, the skin will continue to
tighten and after awhile, a more healthy,
smoother-looking appearance is achieved.
Good news for health and safety conscious consumers: the
ThermaCool device is approved by the FDA for the
effective non-evasive treatment for wrinkles and beyond.
The Difference Between Thermage and Surgical Facelifts
Thermage is a temporary, quick, easy and convenient
technique that does not cut into the skin. There is also
no downtime involved with this procedure This means no
lost wages from taking time off from work.
Although the
results of Thermage bring about healthier, younger skin,
they do not last as long as a surgical facelift. But,
this is a small price to pay for not cutting into your
skin. Typical facelifts can last anywhere from 5 to 10
years, whereas Thermage has a shelf life of about two
years. Thermage treatments still last longer than costly
injectable fillers that use fat or collagen. These
approaches only enhance the skin and face for only 4 to
6 months.
What About the Pain
There is less pain with Thermage when compared to a
facelift. Although you may feel a fleeting sensation of
heat, the discomfort is brief. If you have sensitive
skin, you may want to later apply a topical anesthetic
to the treatment surface.
As with the common facelift,
the risk of infection or scarring is present and,
depending on the skill of your surgeon, you may have
paid a bundle for something that does not even meet your
expectations. With Thermage, some of the potential side
effects include bumps, redness, swelling and blisters;
all of which will usually disappear in a couple of days.
Treatment Length
For those that are completely impatient when it comes to
how long something takes, you will be delighted to know
that the Thermage procedure can take as little as a
couple of minutes to an hour. The time period it takes
to complete a Thermage treatment is determined by how
vast the facial space is. It is so simple that some
people have used their lunch hour to have a Thermage
treatment. For this reason, it is not uncommon to hear
of this procedure being jokingly referred to as the
lunch hour facelift.
Thermage Results
After having a Thermage treatment, you will immediately
feel slightly tighter and smoother skin. Over time, the
tightening process will continue and you will experience
additional gradual changes over the course of 3 to 6
months.
Depending on how fast your skin responds,
increased results may occur sooner. The results are
different in each and every patient. How long the
treatment will last also varies per patient. You will
find that the aging process is different for every
person. For the maintenance of Thermage results,
additional visits are needed. If not, the face will
gradually slip back into the way it looked before
treatment.
The Cost
For a single treatment, Thermage may cost as low as
$2000 but may go up to as much as $5000. These prices
may change over time, so it is best to call a qualified
doctor to see what they are charging for a single
procedure. Sometimes, financing is available for this
face-lifting choice of treatment.
The Benefits of Using Thermage
Besides not having to deal with painful incisions to the
face and taking time from everyday activities, Thermage
allows patients to accomplish a tighter appearance in
their skin. This is what gives the look of youthfulness
to the face. For some, it is the eradication of wrinkles
that proves most helpful. If your decision is to undergo
a Thermage treatment, you will be pleasantly pleased
with the results.
by Barry Lycka
Barry A. S. Lycka is one of North America's foremost
authorities on cosmetic and laser surgery of the skin.
You can find out more at
http://www.barrylyckamd.com and
http://www.restoringyouthonline.com He is founder of
The Ethical Cosmetic Suregery Association
http://www.ecsaonline.com
