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Thermage
 
Procedures such as facelifts have become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. today. Every year, over a 100,000 people undergo this procedure. Many desire to look youthful and take years off their facial appearance. However, facelifts involve surgical incisions, which result in patients experiencing moderate discomfort and losing time from work and other daily activities while recovering. The facelift procedure itself takes around one to two hours to perform. While many seek to regain a youthful appearance, quite a few individuals do not wish to receive incisions or have to take time off from their daily activities.

ThermageThermage is a revolutionary new cosmetic procedure designed to temporarily provide patients with a more youthful facial appearance in a quick and easy fashion. Unlike facelifts, Thermage treatments require no incisions or downtime. Even though Thermage can provide a more youthful facial appearance, the results do not last as long as facelift procedures where results last anywhere from five to ten years. Results of Thermage treatments last around two years. Thermage does last longer than injectable fillers, such as collagen and fat, which are used to enhance one’s appearance. Cosmetic fillers only last about four to six months.

As we grow older, the collagen that provides structure to our face begins to break down. As a result, fine line and wrinkles begin to form. How Thermage actually works is that it stimulates the gradual growth of new collagen and the procedure temporarily reduces wrinkles and renews facial contours.

If you are considering undergoing Thermage treatment, the following information will provide you with a basic introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist who is board certified or has extensive experience in performing this procedure.
Thermage Photo Gallery
Thermage Video Gallery
 
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What are some of the most common benefits of thermage treatment?
The most common benefits of Thermage include achieving tighter skin and renewing facial contours. This procedure can smooth out wrinkles, leaving you with a more youthful appearance. Unlike other procedures, such as a facelift, Thermage requires no incisions or downtime from daily activities.
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How are thermage treatments performed?
During the procedure, the doctor uses a device known as ThermaCool that tightens and lifts the skin in order to smooth out wrinkles and restore facial contours. The ThermaCool device uses the ThermaTip, which delivers RF energy to the skin. The doctor controls the amount of RF energy, balancing your comfort and optimal results. When the ThermaTip touches the skin, it heats a large volume of collagen in deeper layers of the skin and its underlying tissue while at the same time cooling the outer layer and protecting it. This causes deep structures in the skin to immediately tighten. Over time, the skin will tighten further, and result in healthy, smooth looking skin.
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How long do thermage treatments take?
The Thermage procedure can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on how large of an area needs to be treated.

Another advantage to Thermage is that the procedure can be done during a lunch hour. So patients can take a lunch, have their Thermage procedure, and come back to work looking younger. That’s why this procedure has been referred to as the "lunch hour facelift".
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Where are the treatments performed?
They are usually performed at the doctor’s office.
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How much pain is there?
An advantage to the Thermage procedure is that it enhances one’s appearance with a minimal amount of pain. Most patients have described the procedure as experiencing a brief, deep heating sensation. For those sensitive to pain, topical anesthetic may be applied.
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What can I expect after thermage treatment?
After undergoing Thermage treatments, your skin should feel tighter and smoother. Additional tightening will occur over time and your new look will gradually occur over a 3 to 6 month period, possibly sooner. These results vary from patient to patient.

The results of the Thermage procedure may last anywhere from two years or longer, this also varies depending on the patient’s aging process. In order to maintain results, another Thermage visit is needed. Otherwise, one’s face will revert to a pre-treatment appearance.
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Ideal Candidate:
In general, the best candidates for Thermage are:
  • Physically healthy
  • Psychologically stable
  • Wanting to look younger and more refreshed
  • Wanting to enhance their facial appearance
  • Well informed in regard to the procedure’s outcome
  • Realistic in their expectations
The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your physician will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your physician if he/she considers you an ideal candidate for Thermage.
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Other important information:
The ThermaCool device used for the Thermage procedure has been approved by the FDA to treat facial wrinkles non-invasively.
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Risk and limitations:
Significant risks with Thermage procedures are infrequent, but the potential side effects to the treatment are:
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Bumps
  • Blisters
However these side effects listed above usually disappear in a few days or weeks. Consult your doctor for more detailed information on the safety of Thermage.
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Thermage Costs:
Thermage cost can range anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000. To obtain the most accurate pricing, consult with a physician in your area to get the up to date costs for the procedure in which you are interested.
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Choosing a doctor:
We strongly recommend that you consider choosing a doctor who is board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. See our Physician Locator feature to find a doctor in your area, including detailed profile information for many of the listed doctors. Also read How to Select a Dermatologist for a more detailed discussion.
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Questions to ask your doctor:
The following questions should help you to select your doctor, and better understand the procedure.
  1. Are the desired results I described realistic?
  2. How should I prepare my skin for the treatment?
  3. Where is the procedure performed? How long will it take?
  4. Are there other procedures that I should consider to enhance the affects of Thermage?
  5. How much does the procedure cost?
  6. What is your experience in performing this procedure? (How long has he/she performed this procedure, and how many he/she has performed in the past year?)
  7. How long has your practice offered Thermage treatments?
  8. What percentages of patients have had significant complications? (The physician should disclose this information to you)
  9. When should I start noticing the results of the Thermage procedure?
  10. Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged again? (The physician should provide you with his/her policy on this issue.)
  11. May I see "before and after" photos of recent patients? The physician should provide many photos of recent patients.
  12. May I have the names and contact information for several recent Thermage patients? (Follow up to get first-hand information on the procedure and the physician.)
  13. Could I observe the exact procedure I am considering before I decide to have the procedure? (Either on videotape or live.)
  14. What should I expect post-operatively in terms of soreness, what to watch for, medication, bathing, and level of activity? Ask if your doctor has a list of activities that you should avoid.
  15. Who will be assisting during the procedure? What are their qualifications? (Does the dermatologist perform the entire procedure?)
  16. Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended?
  17. Do you have privileges to perform Thermage at an accredited hospital?
  18. Do you offer patient financing?
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Be sure to:
  • Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements).
  • Tell your doctor if you have any serious medical conditions.
  • Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription).
  • Carefully follow any instructions your doctor gives you regarding eating and drinking, smoking, and vitamins.
The information on this web site is only intended as an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result. The best method of determining your options is to consult qualified surgeons who are able to answer specific questions related to your situation.
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How do I finance this procedure?
Did you know that 29% of all Americans have considered having an elective procedure? Of those, 60% would schedule a procedure immediately if financing was available. With iEnchance's patient financing options, money no longer has to be the barrier between you and your new image. By filling out our on-line application you can qualify for a loan in as little as 30 seconds.
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Related Procedures
Facelift
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Facts:

*Top 5 Surgical Cosmetic Procedures in 2008:

1. Breast Augmentation: 356,000
2. Liposuction: 341,000
3. Blepharoplasty: 195,000
4. Rhinoplasty: 152,000
5. Abdominoplasty: 147,000

*Top 5 Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures in 2008:

1. Botox: 2,464,000
2. Laser Hair Removal: 1,281,000
3. Juvederm/Restylane: 1,263,000
4. Chemical Peel: 592,000
5. Laser Skin Resurfacing: 571,000

* Data collected from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
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