There was a time when you had no choice but to grow old gracefully. This meant that time and the elements would take their toll on your beauty and your skin. Wrinkles would form, and your skin would droop. With the advancement of technology, including treatments such as Thermage, that’s no longer the case. At The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, we can give you the treatments you need to look your best.
With Thermage, you have the opportunity to fool Mother Nature and look as young as possible for as long as possible. This is a great way to boost your self-confidence and feel amazing. If you’re thinking about having treatments done, then read on to learn all you can about the process.
How Long Does a Thermage Treatment Last?
Depending on the type of treatment you get and the condition of your skin, the results from this treatment can last for 6 months up to 3 years. The other amazing thing about the process is that you often only have to have one treatment to get these results.
What Is Thermage?
In addition to knowing how long the results of this treatment will last, you may also be wondering exactly what this treatment is. It is a nonsurgical, noninvasive treatment that tightens, smooths, and contours your skin. It can be applied to your face or body, and the results are a more natural, youthful look.
FAQ
How Does the Process Work?
Using radio frequencies, this treatment stimulates the growth of collagen cells in your body. This is a naturally occurring element that is essential to firm and smooth your skin. It also adds elasticity to your flesh. As you age, your collagen production naturally decreases. When that occurs, it leads to the formation of wrinkles and crepey or sagging skin.
In the past, the only way to get rid of these issues was with injectables. These options are still around and can have great results, but if you are worried about or afraid of needles, then injections might not be the option for you.
Thankfully, there are other treatments you can choose from, and these treatments stimulate the growth of new collagen in your body. This can smooth and tighten your skin. In addition, the process also travels along the fibrous septae, which connect your skin to the underlying fascia. When exposed to this treatment, the fibrous septae contract, which adds to the contouring and smoothing effect of the process.
What Type of Equipment Is Used?
If you decide to get this treatment done, a medical professional will use a handheld device that has a smooth, flat tip. This is where the monopolar radiofrequency is delivered into your skin. As the radio frequencies are go into your skin, they gently heat the deep layers. This is what stimulates the growth of collagen and leads to tighter, smoother skin.
What Areas of the Body Can Be Treated?
These treatments are gentle and effective, and they can be done on your entire face and neck, your buttocks, arms, knees, thighs, and abdomen. The goal is to treat the loose skin that occurs in these areas. It can also be effective on crepey skin that occurs at the neckline and above the knees.
If you are wondering if this treatment is truly safe for every part of your face, it is. Many patients have this treatment done to reduce the wrinkles that form around or on their eyes, and with great results. Since it is safe and effective in this delicate area, you can rest assured that it will be safe for any other part of your body as well.
How Long Will the Process Take?
How long the process takes will depend on the size of the area you are having treated. If you are only having your face and neck done, this can be completed in as little as 20 minutes. If you are having your entire body done, the entire process can take up to several hours to be completed.
The great thing about this treatment is that there is no downtime after. This means that, after your session, you can return to your normal life. If that means going back to work, taking care of the kids, or heading to the gym, you will be ready to go.
Treatment Preparations
There are also no special preparations you have to do before or after the treatment. You may be given a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication 1 hour prior to your treatment, but many patients don’t take this at all. After the treatment has been done, it is recommended that you follow your regular skincare regime and wear sunscreen, but this is to protect your skin. It’s not to make the treatment more effective. The vast majority of people who have this treatment done see results and do very little afterward.
Since the sun and other elements can have an impact on the formation of wrinkles, it’s always advised that you protect your skin as much as possible whether you have this treatment or not. Wearing sunscreen is always good advice to reduce the chances of discoloration and the formation of cancer.
How Long Will It Take to See Results?
On average, it takes several months for new collagen to form. Thus, you should see the best tightening and contouring improvements in 2 to 6 months after you have the treatment done. However, there should also be some immediate visible results because the treatment will impact the existing collagen in your skin. These immediate results will only get better over time.
How Long Will My Results Last?
The great thing about this process is that the results can last from 6 months up to several years, and it is a stand-alone treatment. That means that after one session you will see results that can last for a long time. If you so choose, you can return every year or two and have the treatment done again to see the same results and have youthful-looking skin.
In some cases, your doctor will determine if more than one treatment is necessary based on your needs and goals. For most people, though, it only requires one session for them to see results that last. This is different than many other treatments that always require several sessions before you see visible results.
Can I Have Any Other Treatments Done?
Thermage can also be used in conjunction with other treatments. Studies have shown that it is safe to use even if you’ve already had fillers that contain hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, and Sculptra. It can also be used on areas that have been treated with lasers. That means if you had treatments for vascular issues or skin rejuvenation, you can still get this one done and see amazing results.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate for This Treatment?
There is no ideal candidate for this treatment. Anyone who is experiencing loose, sagging, or wrinkly skin can come in for help. On average, patients are over the age of 35, as this can be when collagen production slows down and you will see a noticeable difference in your skin.
This treatment can be done on both men and women. If you are pregnant, it is not advised that you have this done. However, it may be safe if you are breastfeeding. Talking to a doctor and seeing what they recommend is your best option.
How Much Will It Cost?
The cost of this treatment will depend on the area that you are having treated. This is something that will be discussed at your first consultation so you’ll know exactly what to expect. In many cases, this treatment costs a lot less than comparable cosmetic surgery. The recovery time is also faster, and the results look more natural. No matter the cost, you can’t put a price on looking young and having smooth, firm skin.
The Benefits of Thermage
There are many benefits to having this treatment done, with the most appealing being that it is noninvasive and doesn’t require surgery. Going under the knife can be scary, and there can be a lengthy recovery time. For some people, even the thought of having needles poked into their skin can be unnerving.
With this treatment, you don’t have to worry about any of those things. For many, this is a relaxing experience. Since the equipment heats the multiple layers of skin to stimulate and encourage the growth of collagen, you have the ability to sit back and enjoy the moment.
Quick and Convenient
The whole process only takes between 20 minutes and a few hours. Compared to other treatments, that is fast. If you decide to have this treatment, you will be able to return to your life immediately and will see results as soon as you leave the clinic—and they will continue to improve over the next few months.
It’s possible to have this treatment done over a lunch break or in the afternoon. You don’t have to take off long periods of time from work or arrange for multiple session. This treatment works with your busy schedule and allows you to get back to the important things in life.
Gentle and Effective
You can’t stop the aging process, but you can have a say in how it impacts your skin and beauty. These treatments are gentle and work with the natural elements in your body to produce a more youthful appearance. The results speak for themselves.
Available for All
This treatment can work for people from all walks of life who want to fight the ravages of time and hold on to their youthful looks for as long as possible. Talking to a doctor is a good idea if you have any questions about the process or how it will work for you, but for most people the results are lasting.
Others may not even notice that you had any “work” done. They may comment that your skin looks smoother and brighter or that you look younger and more rested, but you don’t have to tell them you had treatments if you don’t want to. Thermage can be your best-kept secret for looking amazing.
Make an Appointment Today
Advancements in cosmetic technology have made it possible to have treatments that are less invasive and have reduced recovery times but still make you look amazing. If you are ready to see how this treatment can improve the look and feel of your skin, then make an appointment today. Call The Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, to discover how amazing the treatment really is.
Don’t spend another day letting time impact your skin. Stop the aging process in its tracks. Use the natural elements in your body to look as young as possible for as long as possible. You deserve it.
