For years, improving the appearance of sagging, wrinkled skin involved plastic surgery. While the results of plastic surgery can be impressive, surgery always carries a risk and may not be appealing to people who only experience a mild to moderate degree of wrinkling and sagging. Thermage, a skin-tightening procedure that doesn't involve surgery, helps lift the skin of the face and other parts of the body without incisions or long recovery periods.
Identification
Thermage uses radio waves to firm and lift the skin, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. Energy from the radio waves heat fat and collagen, a connective protein that gives skin its elasticity. When heated, collagen and fat contract, causing the skin above to tighten. The Thermage procedure also triggers the formation of new collagen in the skin.
Uses
In addition to reducing wrinkles by tightening the skin, Thermage is also effective in tightening loose skin on the neck and under the jaw. The chin, neck and cheekbones may appear tighter and more prominent following Thermage treatment. Loose skin on the hands, buttocks, abdomen, arms and knees can also be tightened with Thermage.
Procedure
The doctor may recommend taking pain medication before the Thermage procedure begins. A topical anesthetic may also be used to reduce pain. During the procedure, a doctor uses the Thermage device to deliver radio waves to the skin. While the device heats the deeper layers of the skin, a spray cools the outer layers of the skin, preventing damage. You may feel a mild heating or pinching sensation during the procedure. Treatment may take a few minutes to several hours, according to Derma Network. Treatment time depends on the size of the areas being treated. You may need more than one treatment to achieve maximum effects. The number of treatments needed varies depending on the extent of wrinkling and sagging.
Recovery
Thermage treatment does not require a recovery period; you can resume your normal daily activities immediately following treatment. In some cases, blisters, swelling, bumps, redness or dimpling can occur on treated areas, although these side effects are rare, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery.
Results
Skin may feel smoother and tighter after treatment. You may not notice the full effects of the treatment for several months because your skin tone will continue to improve as new collagen forms. Thermage effects can last from six months to two years, according to Derma Network.
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