One of the newest procedures in the plastic surgery field is surprising a lot of patients with its amazing results, and without patients having to undergo invasive surgery. The Thermage procedure is the only non-invasive treatment that delivers tighter skin, renewed facial contours and healthier collagen. Collagen is the cellular building block that provides structure to your skin. The Thermage procedure is being performed by experienced plastic surgeons all over the world. Your physician can help you determine how this treatment will benefit you.

The Thermage procedure uses a patented radiofrequency technology called ThermaCool. The Thermage procedure has been clinically proven to tighten and gently lift skin to smooth out wrinkles and renew facial contours. The incision-free procedure is fast and easy, and requires little to no downtime from normal activities. Unlike lasers, the procedure can be performed on patients of all skin types.

The ThermaCool system uses a high-tech treatment tip called the ThermaTip, which delivers a controlled amount of radio frequency energy. The ThermaTip device uniformly heats a large volume of collagen in the deeper layers of the skin and its underlying tissue with each touch to the skin. To prevent Thermage burns, the device simultaneously protects the outer layer of the skin with cooling. This deep uniform heating action causes deep structures in the dermal layer of skin to immediately tighten. Gradually, new and remodeled collagen is produced by the body to further tighten skin, resulting in healthier, smoother skin and a more youthful appearance.

With each touch of the ThermaTip device, you will experience a brief, deep-heating sensation as the radio-frequency energy is administered to your epidermal and dermal tissue. A deep heating sensation indicates that your collagen is reaching effective temperatures needed for tightening to occur. The amount of energy delivered is determined by the plastic surgeon balancing procedural comfort with maximum results. The ThermaTip device is cooled before, during, and after heating to protect your skin from Thermage burns, and to make the treatment more comfortable. Prior to treatment a local anesthetic may be applied to improve comfort.

The Thermage procedure usually takes an hour or two, depending on the size of the treatment area and the amount of skin preparation prior to the procedure. Immediately after the Thermage procedure, your skin should feel tighter, smoother and more youthful. The Thermage procedure results in immediate tightening of the collagen structure, with results still improving with additional tightening up to six months later. A single Thermage treatment has produced results in most patients, unlike many laser procedures that require four or more sessions. Your physician will determine the course of treatment that is right for you.

The Thermage procedure has had an excellent safety record. With over 70,000 estimated worldwide patient treatments to date, the reported incidence of Thermage burns and side effects is less than 1%. Thermage burns have been extremely rare. The most frequently reported incidents are classified as swelling, redness, bumps and blisters on or around the treated area. Side effects usually last only a few days or weeks. A rare but longer lasting side effect described as a skin depression has also been reported in a few cases. Consult with your physician regarding this and any other questions you may have on the safety record of the Thermage procedure.

The Thermage procedure is relatively safe, quick and easy. Most people return to their regular activities immediately following the Thermage procedure. Some people experience mild redness similar to sunburn, but it usually disappears quickly. No special care is needed after treatment unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Consult with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon to see if Thermage is right for you.