Thermage®
The face reveals signs of the natural aging process combined with the effects of gravity, sun exposure and stress. The Thermage® procedure, also known as ThermaCool TC™, provides a non-invasive, no "downtime" treatment that softens the appearance of aging skin. This procedure will not replace the traditional surgical face or brow lift, but is an excellent alternative to improving one's mild skin laxity. The Thermage® procedure is performed with technology cleared by the FDA called ThermaCool TC™.

Collagen is a natural protein found throughout your body that supplies structure to skin, muscle, tendon, and bone. Collagen fibers are woven like threads to form a supportive foundation, enhancing the contours of the outer layers of skin. Dermal texture would lack resiliency and shape without it. Stress, aging, the sun, and other environmental factors deplete your collagen naturally. The Thermage® procedure has been developed to combat these effects of aging by causing a heat induced contraction of collagen. The subsequent renewal of collagen production will result in a more youthful appearance.

What is the Thermage® procedure?
This non-surgical cosmetic treatment improves the appearance of aging skin by tightening the underlying tissue. The maximum effectiveness achieved is for non-surgical tissue tightening for the forehead, brow, eyes, mid and lower face, and the neck. A small probe that emits radio frequency energy is applied to the skin, which uniformly heats the dermis without damaging it. The heat energy causes the collagen to contract, which is followed by new collagen synthesis over time.

How many treatments are required to achieve results?
During your cosmetic consultation, your desired results will be discussed and the number of treatments required to attain optimal results will be determined.

What are the advantages of having the Thermage® procedure?
This procedure allows those with a busy lifestyle to soften the aging effects of time, without the expense, downtime and risks associated with surgery. The Thermage® procedure can be combined with an extensive selection of premium cosmetic treatments that complement its results on the face and neck. These include chemical peels, BOTOX Cosmetic, lasers, Intense Pulsed Light, and dermal cosmetic fillers.

When can I return to normal activities?
You can likely resume normal activities immediately following your treatment. Some patients experience minimal redness or mild swelling of the treated areas that diminish within no more than a few hours or, at most, a day or two. You should always protect your skin by using a sunscreen/block that is appropriate for your skin type.

What is the treatment like?
With each application of the radio frequency energy to the skin, you will feel a cool sensation, followed by a brief hot sensation, then a cool sensation again. Your skin is protected with a cooling spray emitted by the hand piece while radio frequency energy heats the collagen in the lower layers of your skin. Gradually over time, new collagen grows to further tighten the skin. To ensure your comfort, a topical numbing cream may be applied to the treatment area.

How long is the procedure?
Depending on the location and dimensions of the area to be treated, the procedure may require a few minutes to an hour. During your consultation, your desired results will be discussed and the length of your treatment will be determined.

When can I expect to see results and how long will they last?
Some patients have experienced tightening within a few weeks after treatment. Measurable tightening improvements appear gradually within 2 to 6 months.