Thermage Skin tightening Facelift Eyelid reduction Winchester Southampton Wessex Hampshire

Muscle Relaxing Injections, Dermal Fillers, Skin Rejuvenation, Skin Tightening
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Surgical

Surgery for Skin Cancers, Non-cancers and Photo-dynamic Therapy
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Thermage® (Skin Tightening) ReFirme

Summary

Thermage® is the safest and most effective skin tightening device.
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It tightens, firms, thickens and "plumps up" the skin; pulling it more tightly around the underlying bone structure and so redefining the face's profile.
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Thermage® works on the face, the upper and lower eyelids and, if your have the right kind of loose skin, on the tummy, arms and thighs.
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You can return to your normal life within a few hours of treatment.
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There is some immediate tightening but further improvement develops gradually over two to six months.
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A survey of 5,700 who had undergone treatment with Thermage® reported that 94% felt that Thermage® treatment had fulfilled their expectations. Thermage® report that they have only been informed of one permanent complication since December 2004.

What Is Thermage®?

Thermage® is the best researched and safest skin tightening treatment. It is a one-off, "lunchtime" alternative to surgery for excess skin on the eyelids, lower face, under the chin, upper arms, tummy, inner thighs and forehead.

How Does It Compare With Surgery?

Thermage® does not tighten the skin as much as surgery either as a face-lift or in reducing the amount of excess skin on the upper eyelid. Therefore, Thermage® is the first choice for people who are too young for surgery or don't wish to undergo surgery with its associated pain, bruising, swelling, scars and potential complications.

How Does Thermage® work?

Thermage® uses pulses of radiofrequency to heat the collagen deep in the skin. During the treatment, the collagen shortens a little so that you may see some immediate improvement. However, most of the improvement occurs gradually and subtly over the next two to six months as your skin manufactures a three dimensional matrix of new collagen to strengthen, support and tighten it.

Thermage® Skin Tightening FAQs

How does Thermage® Skin Tightening work?

Thermage® Skin Tightening works by heating the collagen in the lower layer of the skin, the dermis, with monopolar radiofrequency while protecting the upper layer of the skin, the epidermis, with carefully timed bursts of coolant spray. When the dermis is heated to the correct temperature, but no more, the collagen shortens a little and then new collagen is produced. The collagen shortening explains the immediate improvement and the new collagen formation, the gradual improvement that takes two to six months to develop as the amount of new collagen builds up. Although Thermage® Skin Tightening can work on all ages, women aged 35 to 60 years seem to respond best.

Which areas can Thermage® Skin Tightening treat?

Forehead
Cheeks
Under the chin
Upper and lower eyelids
Stomach
Upper arms
Thighs

Which Skin Tightening Devices work best?

There are no good head to head studies comparing the various Skin Tightening devices on the market. However, the efficacy and safety of Thermage® is by far better researched than that of any other Skin Tigtening device and so, at least for now, seems the most sensible treatment choice. In a study of nearly 6000 treated patients, 95% felt that Thermage® treatment had fulfilled their expectations and the manufacturer states that no longer term serious complications have been reported since treatment protocols and treatment tips were modified in 2004. In contrast, the other Skin Tightening devices, such as ReFirme and Titan have only been researched in small studies involving less than 100 patients.

Thermage® has the advantage of being a single treatment for busy lives. Although ReFirme treatment, which seems to need to be repeated three to five times at monthly intervals to achieve a similar response can spread the cost of treatment.

What questions should I discuss with the person performing my Thermage® Skin Tightening?

The success of Thermage® Skin Tightening depends on the skill of operator in selecting the patients who are most likely to respond to treatment and guiding other to more appropriate treatments for them such are surgery or large volume fillers. It is an area in which comprehensive higher medical/surgical training that exposed the operator to all treatment options is a definite benefit.

Try not to base your decisions on the manufacturer's own before and after photographs of the effects of treatment. These photographs are designed to advertise their product and will often give you unrealistically high expectations. Rather ask to see before and after photographs of the practitioner's own work. These will give you a better idea of the likely improvement that you are likely to see after treatment and give you an impression of the operators own experience.

The aesthetic market is full of hype and false promise and it is hard to ascertain the training, experience and expertise of many of the people who offer treatments in this sector. If you choose to be treated by an "accredited specialist" you can check their training on the General Medical Council website and, if they are registered there, be reassured that that person has completed at least four years of higher training in that speciality. Be aware, that that in the aesthetic market the words, "Specialist", "Medical", "Consultant", and "Cosmetic Dermatologist" have become advertising slogans and may not reflect the practitioner's true status. It is possible to set oneself up as a "Specialist" in Skin Tightening Treatments with only a few days training and experience.

Is Thermage® Skin Tightening safe?

Yes, Thermage® Skin Tightening is safe. While temporary side-effects occur uncommonly, the manufacturer states that no serious, long term complications have been reported since 2004.

Does Thermage® Skin Tightening hurt?

The patient is in control of the degree of discomfort or "heat" produced by Thermage® throughout the treatment. The power of the treatment can, and often is, constantly adjusted to respond to the patient's comfort and tolerance.

How should I prepare for Thermage® Skin Tightening treatment?

No particular preparation is needed other than stopping smoking. However, it would seem sensible to use a mild retinoid-containing cream on the treatment area for two weeks prior to treatment and to supplement your diet with vitamin C, a multivitamin and zinc, just to make sure that your skin has everything it needs to respond maximally to the treatment.

What is involved during Thermage® Skin Tightening?

The treatment takes between 30 and 90 minutes depending upon the area that is being treated. First the Thermage® Skin Tightening device is calibrated to your skin and then a few test pulses are used to determine the correct treatment level. The whole of the area is then usually treated twice, followed by further treatment targeted at the key areas needed to obtain maximum benefit from the treatment. Each pulse of treatment involves a sensation of cold, followed by heat and then cold again. The power used per pulse it constantly adjusted in response to patient feedback. Some areas of the face are more sensitive than others and the power of the treatment is reduced before treating starts on these areas.

How will I look immediately after Thermage® Skin Tightening treatment?

Halfway through Thermage® Skin Tightening treatment you can sometimes see that the treated side is tighter than the untreated side. After treatment is completed, the skin is patchily red and a bit swollen. The redness and swelling die down fairly quickly and, by the next day, your skin will usually be its normal colour but maybe just a little puffy in places. Most people can return to work the day after treatment and will often immediately receive favourable comments on how well they are looking.

Is there any important Thermage® Skin Tightening aftercare?

No particular treatment is needed, other than not smoking. However, it would seem sensible to use a mild retinoid-containing cream on the treatment area and to supplement your diet with vitamin C, a multivitamin and zinc, just to make sure that your skin has everything it needs to respond maximally to the treatment.

How long after the Thermage® Skin Tightening treatment will I notice an improvement?

Some people notice an immediate difference. After a few days most people notice an improvement in skin texture and translucence. The loose skin then starts to tighten gradually over the next two to six months.

How much does Thermage® Skin Tightening cost?

Prices

How many Thermage® Skin Tightening treatments will I need?

Thermage® Thermage® Skin Tightening is a single treatment. Some people have a second treatment six months later to improve the result. Three to five treatments at four to six weekly intervals are needed with most other devices.

How long does Thermage® Skin Tightening last?

The results of Thermage® Skin Tightening are thought to last for a few years. However, because the natural ageing process continues, some people like to repeat the treatment from time to time. Anecdotally, people often remark that the second treatment produces even more improvement than the first.

What side-effects does Thermage® Skin Tightening produce?

Temporary side-effects are caused by the heating of the skin. The skin is red, slightly swollen and maybe white in areas. Most of this dies down over a few hours but some areas of redness and swelling can persist for a few days. Occasionally blisters and small bumps and ridges may form and take a few weeks to settle. Burns, blisters, scabbing, scarring, bruising, numbness, tingling, temporary paralysis, itching, skin surface depressions can all occur but are not common. The skin depressions can be long lasting and require treatment. Only the side-effect profile of Thermage® has been properly documented. Themage® has become ever safer and less likely to leave side-effects as the technology has improved and treatment schedules have been refined. Although the name has not changed, it is now very different from the treatment offered a few years ago.

Who shouldn't have Thermage® Skin Tightening?

Thermage® Skin Tightening should be avoided during pregnancy and within six months of Roaccutane treatment.

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