Thermage

THE TYPICAL PATIENT

This procedure is excellent if you focus on fine, medium or even deep wrinkle lines ANYWHERE on your body.
It has shown to be successful for improving active acne and the breakouts associated with it.
Clinical results suggest that some patients will experience cosmetic improvement previously available only with invasive procedures.
Skin texture, especially looseness, can be improved and made smoother.
Large pores are often made smaller.
Improvement can be seen in the eye area, crow’s feet, forehead, face and jowls.
It can also affect some lift and tightening of sagging breasts, arms, knees and hands.

BACKGROUND

The ThermaCool TC System is the only noninvasive, non-ablative, non-laser radiofrequency system that combines RF heating with cryogen cooling and other advanced safety features to monitor skin temperature and regulate the depth of treatments. The result is a sophisticated device that provides for immediate collagen contraction and long-term collagen remodeling. It accomplishes this through controlled tissue heating of deeper tissue, yet cooling the skin surface to prevent any burns. It is capable of varying the dermal heating depths.
The RF generator is regulated by a compact, Pentium-based on-board computer that is capable of rapidly processing a high volume of treatment feedback information from the hand piece assembly, including temperature, treatment application pressure, and feedback of the radiofrequency interaction with tissue.
The non-ablative Thermage device, called the ThermaCool TC, bypasses the surface skin and requires no incisions or recovery time, making it the ideal "pick-me-up" procedure for restoring a youthful appearance. Treatment takes an hour or less to perform in the doctor’s office and patients can immediately resume normal activities. Unpublished reports by experienced physicians indicate that results may last 18 months or longer based on the patient’s natural aging process.
Occasionally, more than one treatment is required to achieve optimal results.

HOW IT WORKS

The Thermage procedure works by delivering a volumetric and uniform heating effect to the deep dermis via a unique form of radio frequency energy.
The procedure is intended to cause immediate collagen contraction followed by gradual collagen tightening to lift skin without wounding the epidermis (top skin layer).
Simultaneously a cryogen spray cools the skin’s surface before, during and after each radio frequency pulse to further protect the epidermis.
A cooling spray protects the top layers of the skin while a "smart" treatment tip delivers RF energy (heat) into the deeper skin layers. This heating action promotes the growth of new collagen fibers over time.
Since the energy source is a sort of "cold" energy source, it does not burn or damage the skin beyond or beneath the exact level of the layer being treated.
Healing time depends on how deep the treatment is and how many layers of skin were required to be removed, and how many regenerative skin centers are present.

THE PROCEDURE

There are no incisions at all, and there are no stitches to be removed
You are comfortable through the procedure but there is some minimal pain that immediately disappears.
The treatments are delivered through a hand piece that is connected to a computer. Each time a treatment is delivered there is an immediate cool sensation, followed by a brief hot sensation, followed by a cool sensation.
No anesthesia is needed, or at times, an anesthetic cream applied one hour before the procedure numbs the surface of the skin to help make the treatment more comfortable. Dr. Romano may offer additional measures to increase your comfort.
Depending on the size of the area treated, the procedure itself may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. Dr. Romano may require that you arrive an hour before your procedure for administration of an anesthetic cream.
ThermaCool treated areas are usually the eyelids, forehead, around the mouth, or any combination of these or the whole face and neck. Treatments can also be applied to the arms and legs. Several sessions may be needed.
There are no dressings at all. You will not be wrapped or look like a mummy at any time.
Ointments and creams are placed on the treated areas.
This can be combined with other plastic surgical procedures.

THE RECOVERY

You may return to your normal activities immediately, as there is usually no "downtime".
Minimal redness is seen in some patients but it usually disappears within hours after treatment.
There is no special care needed after treatment. As a part of good skin care, sunscreen and some healing creams are recommended.
In most patients, results appear gradually over 2-6 months, although some patients see an earlier response.
The Thermage procedure is very safe. Although it is possible that skin damage can occur, this advanced treatment has been studied carefully in hundreds of patients with minimal reports of lasting adverse effects
Recently published studies show that improvements continue for at least six months after a single treatment session. Other studies show that thermal collagen changes can last several years, depending on the rate of the aging process.
A single treatment produces good results in a significant number of patients. However, Dr. Romano will assess the number and frequency of treatments required to achieve optimal results for your skin. You may require subsequent treatments, usually at three-month intervals.
You can shower on the second day after surgery and get in the shower and enjoy the mist as often as you like.
There is new and denser collagen and an appreciable increase in the thickness of the epidermis (after image).
There is no bruising and minimal if any swelling.
Makeup can be applied as early as the next day after treatment and you can begin to appear in public immediately.
You must be prepared to avoid sun exposure.
You will have creams and ointments prescribed to help you heal that preserve your result.

THE RESULTS

You will look younger.
Beautiful, smoother skin.
Less acne breakouts, more even texture to the skin.
Lasts the rest of your life and always looks better than if you didn't do it. You can repeat or "touch-up" the procedure periodically if needed.
Natural and presentable appearance right away that just gets better over the next three to six months.