Thermage - an online guide

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.

How does Thermage Work?
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.

How is Thermage different 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.

ThermaCool
Thermage treatment makes use of special radiofrequency technology known as ThermaCool. The non invasive procedure requires very little time to perform, and does not involve the need for recovery time. It is ideal for all skin types.

ThermaCool makes use of a treatment tip known as ThermaTip. This delivers only a specific amount of energy to the skin, heating collagen in the dermis and the underlying tissue, while also cooling the outer skin layer to protect it. The action causes the immediate tightening of the structure of your skin. Over a period of time, creation of new collagen leads to further tightening of the skin. Ultimately, this leads to smoother plumper skin.

A Thermage procedure can take less than an hour, and you can resume your normal activities soon after treatment. There is no need for a rest period after the procedure.

Thermage is a painless procedure, but you may experience a heating sensation. Your skin care practitioner will make efforts to make the treatment comfortable for you by cooling the head of the device before releasing the energy. He or she may also apply a topical anesthetic cream to increase your comfort during treatment.

Thermage treatment does not require multiple sessions for results to be seen. In most cases, a single treatment is sufficient to produce results.  Studies have shown that tangible improvements relating to tightening of the skin can be seen during a period of about 2 to 6 months following a single procedure. Results can last any where from 24 to 36 months, or even longer. This depends on the natural ageing process of your skin.