Thermage

As people age, the skin loses its tightness and may begin to sag or become lose. This occurs because collagen found in the skin breaks down faster than the body can replace it due to the natural aging process and sun exposure. Collagen is the protein that keeps skin tight and smooth.

Thermage is a skin-tightening technique designed to stimulate the skin to regenerate collagen. The doctor uses a device to apply radio frequency energy to the body. The energy heats the collagen naturally found in skin and causes the cells to reorganize and rejuvenate, causing the skin to tighten. This technique can be effective on the neck, arms, inner thighs – places that may need additional skin tightening after liposuction.

Thermage is nonsurgical and requires no injections. The radio frequency device is applied to the external skin but the heating effect penetrates through the epidermis to the subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis, or outer skin, is cooled by the radio frequency device. The penetrating radio frequency energy acts on the collagen to tighten the underlying layers of skin to cause a rejuvenating effect on the surface.

Thermage is not a replacement for liposuction and it cannot achieve fat reduction or weight loss. This technique is intended to improve the skin’s elasticity and tone. It can be a helpful addition to liposuction or another fat reduction procedure since the removal of fat may cause the skin to become loose.

For patients seeking a nonsurgical alternative to a facelift or body lift, Thermage can be an effective way to tighten the skin without surgery scars or a prolonged recovery time. Most patients experience little or no down time and no anesthesia is needed. Generally, patients return to work or to normal activity the same day. Results can be achieved in as little as one treatment. Results tend to be more subtle than with cosmetic surgery procedures.