Today’s society has made the quest to look younger vividly appealing to many women, and not surprisingly, many men. Although we cannot all look like supermodels, there are several new procedures and new devices that are proving to be significantly effective at improving our areas of concern. One of these devices is called thermage treatment. This contraption is used to treat sagging, wrinkled and loose skin on the face and various other places on the body.
For improvements of the facial area, it can redefine jaw lines and loose jowls, along with treating hooded or rough eyelids and under eye bags. It has also been successful in eliminating wrinkles and fine lines on the forehead and close to the mouth and eyes. Additionally, it has been employed for various other parts of the body, such as sagging skin around the tummy, knees, arms, legs, and buttocks and has been paramount on the presence of cellulite.
There are three layers of the skin, epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The collagen in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue support our skin and help it stay firm. However, age and the daily effects of the sun disconnects collagen at a rate quicker than the body can repair it, which leads to the sagging and wrinkling. Thermage works by penetrating through the deep layers of the skin through the use of radiofrequency. It reaches the collagen fibers in the subcutaneous tissue layer. This heat activated procedure promotes and tightens the formation of new and existing collagen.
This invention was introduced in 1995 by a plastic surgeon named Dr. Edward W. Knowlton. He developed a non-invasive method that utilized the skin's own renewing process with deep penetrating heat. As the device touches the area, it immediately cools the surface of the skin while heating the deep layers. Because there is a slight discomfort felt during this procedure, pain medicines can be administered to help lessen the effect. Some people will have immediate results while others experience results over a period of time as it is typically dependent upon each individual and their body’s own collagen renewal development. Nonetheless, substantial results may appear over a two- to six-month course after a single treatment for most.
There are a few possible side effects that can occur. They include, redness of the area, blisters, swelling, indention, which is rarely permanent, and bruising. The redness will usually dissipate within a couple of hours and the blisters, swelling and bruising will generally disappear over the course of a few days. Individuals with pacemakers, internal cardiac defibrillators, or anyone who is pregnant should avoid this treatment.
As with any procedure you are considering, weigh the pros and cons and determine if it would be substantially beneficial for you. Thermage may have the ability to revitalize and renew our bodies and give us better satisfaction in our appearance.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Rona Sullivan - I am a Medical Laboratory Technician and work at an Oncology clinic. I have two children, age 16 and 21.
Join the Conversation