Thermage® for Skin Tightening— Las Vegas
Loss of the youthful firmness of the skin is one of the early changes that signal the aging process. While surgical lifting and tightening of the skin is the most effective treatment for skin looseness, many patients are unable or unwilling to choose a surgical approach. The radio-wave technology of Thermage® is the best non-surgical treatment modality for skin tightening of the face and body. In properly selected patients, Thermage® results can give you just the change you were looking for. Dr. Herte offers Thermage® for facial tightening as well as body skin tightening. Our practice has a long experience with Thermage® procedures and we feel that non-surgical treatments are an important part of any complete rejuvenation program. Dr. Mary C. Herte can help you evaluate your surgical and non-surgical options, so that you can create the most effective plan for the most natural and least invasive skin tightening results at our Las Vegas cosmetic surgery practice.
How Does Thermage® Work?
Thermage® uses radio-frequency technology approved by the FDA for treatment of skin laxity. Ordinarily, only a single treatment session is needed. The Thermage® hand piece generates radio-waves which penetrate into the collagen layer of the skin. The radio-waves heat the collagen fibers causing shortening or tightening. An immediate tightening is usually visible and the effect continues to increase over the next several months until your full result is complete. In order to protect the top layer of skin from the heat generated in the Thermage® procedure, a cooling spray is used prior to each pulse of radio-frequency energy. This reduces any visible signs that you have had a procedure and there is virtually no recovery phase.
Choosing Thermage®: Is It Right for Me
Thermage® has an excellent safety record and has been in use since 2002. The best candidates for Thermage® skin tightening have skin thickness in the thin to medium range, mild to moderate skin laxity and have modest expectations as to the results that may be achieved. While most patients who have Thermage® see a significant firming of the skin, loose hanging skin, especially around the neck, will not be corrected without surgery. Many patients have excellent results from Thermage® and are extremely happy with their procedure. Others have more modest results and do not see as much improvement. Since the amount of visible tightening varies from patient to patient, it is difficult to predict the success of your Thermage® procedure. Radio-frequency technology is, however, the only available non-surgical technology for skin tightening, so if you want to avoid surgery, don’t have time for recovery, or especially if surgery is not possible for you, Thermage® remains an excellent option for skin tightening. Dr. Herte can be very helpful in weighing the available approaches to treat your problem areas against the result you are looking to achieve, especially since she has a long experience with both surgical and non surgical treatment of lax skin.
Areas that typically respond well to the Thermage® radio-frequency treatments are: eyelids, face, forehead, thighs, abdomen and arms.
The Thermage® Procedure
Thermage® is a simple office procedure that does not require anesthesia. With each touch of the Thermage® treatment tip, you will experience a brief intense heating sensation as the collagen in deep layers of your skin is tightened. To protect your skin and make the treatment more comfortable, a cooling spray is delivered before, during and after each application of the treatment tip. If you are able to arrange transportation home following the procedure, Dr. Herte recommends that you take a mild sedative (given at the office) to help you relax during the procedure, as some treatment areas may be sensitive to the radio-waves. Your results are somewhat dependent on your tolerance of the warmth that you feel, and it builds as repeated pulses push the improvement of your result. Facial procedures take about an hour and body procedures with a larger surface area may take longer.
After the procedure sunscreen is applied to the skin, and as always we recommend that you avoid sun exposure, but especially for a week or so after any procedure. You may initially feel warmth on your skin, for an hour or so after your procedure, as though you have had a sunburn. Some temporary pinkness of the skin could also be visible during that time, but is likely to resolve very quickly. Most patients do not experience any “down time” and are back to normal activities immediately. The Thermage® procedure causes an immediate tightening of the collagen structure, although usually subtle, with additional tightening over time. Results are expected to last 12 to 18 months and occasionally longer, depending on your natural aging process.
Schedule a Thermage® Consultation in Las Vegas
If you have questions about whether Thermage® can help tighten your facial skin or firm your body skin, contact our Las Vegas cosmetic surgery center today, and speak to our helpful and very knowledgeable staff. During your in-depth consultation, Dr. Mary Herte will discuss your options for the treatment of skin laxity to help you choose the best procedures for firmer and more youthful skin of your face or body. Schedule your consultation today.
