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Thermage vs. the Facelift
2005-11-02
Ask The Doctor
Thermage vs. the facelift
Q: I’m noticing jowls around the area of my chin; is there an alternative to plastic surgery if I wish to tighten up the contour of my face?
A: I would recommend that you look into a procedure called Thermage, also known as ThermaLift, ThermaCool, Thermal Lifting, ThermoPlasty, and Thermoplastic contouring. It is a safe, clinically proven way to tighten and contour your skin, with improvements in tone, contour, and texture occurring naturally through the stimulation of your own collagen.
Q: What is collagen?
A: Collagen is the basic building block that provides structure to your skin. Over time, collagen is depleted by exposure to the sun and other factors, leading to the formation of wrinkles and sagging skin. Thermage uses a highly sophisticated treatment tip that emits radiofrequency energy to heat the collagen in the lower layers of the skin. This heating action tightens the deep layers of the skin, and over the next few months new collagen grows to further tighten the skin, producing a more youthful appearance.
Q: Heating my skin; isn’t that painful?
A: During the treatment, the top layers of the skin are protected with a cooling spray. As well, your physician may apply an anesthetic cream to enhance your comfort.
Q: Will I have to take time off work to recover?
A: One of the real benefits of Thermage is that there is no “down-time.” The treatments last anywhere from 20 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on how much area is being treated, and you can resume your normal activities immediately. It is completely non-invasive; it doesn’t even require injections.
Q: How soon will I notice results?
A: Most patients notice immediate results, but the improvement continues over a period of two to six months as new collagen growth is stimulated. And in the majority of patients, only one treatment is required to produce results that can last for over two years, depending on the patient’s natural aging process.
Q: Does it work on all skin types?
A: Yes. Unlike lasers, Thermage works on all skin types and tones. And unlike injections or fillers, Thermage works on your entire face - forehead, eyes, nasolabial folds, jaw line, jowls and the area under your chin.
Q: Where can I have it done?
A: The Thermage procedure can only be administered by a physician, so be sure to look for a clinic that has qualified medical personnel who specialize in cosmetic procedures.
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