How does it work?
The Thermage uses radio frequency energy to heat the tissue below the skin while it keeps the skin surface cool. This "tightens" your existing collagen and stimulates new collagen growth. The end result is tighter, firmer skin. The length of time required for the procedure itself will depend on the size of the treatment area. The usual range is between 30 minutes and one hour. While the procedure should not hurt, you may experience a sensation of heat in the treated areas. Patients leave the office looking and feeling great. There are no restrictions in activity following the procedure.



Does skin color affect the outcome?
Unlike laser procedures, radio frequency energy is unaffected by skin pigment. All skin colors can be safely and effectively treated.



What results can I expect?
Results will vary from patient to patient, and your age, treatment area and skin laxity can all affect the outcome. Many of our patients have seen improvement within a few days. Most patients see a gradual improvement that occurs over a period of three to five months. We take pictures before and after your procedure so you can see the benefits of your treatment over time.



Will I need a second treatment?
Patients may benefit from a second treatment. We recommend waiting three months before considering a second treatment.



When can I go back to work?
Patients can return to their normal activities immediately. Occasionally patients experience a brief redness that fades within a few hours.



How safe is it?
It is extremely safe. While this may be a relatively new procedure, great effort has been made to make it as safe as possible. There are very rare adverse effects, which we will be happy to review with you at your consultation.



Do I need special preparation?
There is no need to interrupt your usual routine. You may take your usual medications before, during and after the procedure.



Is Thermage for everyone?
Because radio frequency is used in these treatments, patients with heart pacemakers are advised not to undergo Thermage facelift procedures. The radio frequency may interfere with the heart pacemaker device.



Where on the face is it applied?
Tightening skin in key areas can be advantageous for cosmetic improvement. Treating the forehead can lift the eyebrows and enhance the appearance of the eyes, making the eyes look more open, less tired and more alert. Other areas such as the skin of the cheeks can also be treated to reduce the sagginess that produces deep folds with aging and to contour the jaw line. Multiple other sites are being tested including hands, breasts and cellulite treatments.



Is it painful?
Each time the machine is fired there is a sensation of heat in the area. Fortunately, this heat sensation lasts only fractions of a second and is followed by a cold sensation, which also helps minimize the discomfort. The treatment itself is not necessarily comfortable, but it is tolerable.



When can I return to normal activities?
Immediately. There is typically no down time. Minimal redness is seen in some patients, but it usually disappears within an hour. There is usually no swelling, bruising or pain afterwards. There is no special care needed after the procedure. You may return to your normal scheduled activities immediately.



How long will the effects last?
We do not know; however, results have been documented to last at least 22 months. But because of the aging process, skin laxity will naturally increase again with time. However, there is no "Cinderella effect" in which the results from the treatment will suddenly disappear in one day.



Can this be combined with other treatments?
The Thermage treatments can be combined with a number of other non-ablative technologies. Patients have combined Thermage technology with IPL Photo Facial for treatment of sun damage, Diode for spider veins, and Cool Touch II for acne scarring. Often times we recommend doing Botoxâ or Collagen injections prior to the Thermage treatment to smooth out the skin. We have found that by "putting the skin in the place we want it to be after the Thermage has to increase the rate of success of the actual treatment.