Facial Thermage: description of the procedure, advantages and features

Non-surgical lifting Thermage is very popular

Stars, socialites, business ladies, ladies who are terrified of the appearance of age on their faces and are quite wealthy, often choose facial thermage as an alternative to plastic surgery. Judging by the photos of many of the celebrities who resort to this procedure, we can testify that it works very well. For example, Halle Berry, who is 52 years old, undergoes the Thermage procedure regularly and looks really great. Her skin is perfect, no folds, deep wrinkles, or sagging. As they say, the result is obvious.

RF lifting (radio wave lifting, thermage) - reviews

This year I decided to take a course of radio wave lifting, which is positioned as a non-surgical method of face lifting. It was a pleasure to travel, but I didn’t have much choice, since I’m terribly afraid of operations and injections, and this procedure is quite comfortable.

I’ll tell you right away about the biggest disappointment - the resulting wrinkles cannot be smoothed out. Convinced of this after 5 sessions (half the course), I began to combine radio waves with chemical peeling, which I did not initially plan to undergo.

The inconvenience of the procedure is that you need to do a course of 10 sessions STRICTLY once a week.

The procedure itself takes about 50 minutes - the face is cleansed, then a special gel with care ingredients is applied, after which a special attachment, somewhat similar to an ultrasound sensor, is rubbed over the face with massage movements. First one half, then the other, then the neck and décolleté. The feeling from the nozzle is comfortable warmth. In more sensitive areas it seemed hotter, then the cosmetologist reduced the temperature.

So, what can you expect from a radio wave lift?

I have already written about wrinkles. Now for the good stuff.

The skin tone and contour are tightened unambiguously and quite noticeably. The circles under the eyes have almost disappeared.

It removes puffiness on the face very well. Moreover, I didn’t have any particularly noticeable swelling, but even after the first two sessions my face noticeably “blown away” and “lost weight,” without sagging skin. I have cheekbones again, which I haven’t seen on myself for 7 years

.

My double chin tightened up very noticeably (I didn’t give up my regular exercises for it).

The skin has become smoother, noticeably more elastic and dense.

Redness from chemical peeling against the background of radio waves goes away within 1-2 days instead of 3-4. The skin also dries less, although it peels as usual.

The piggy spots in the corners of the mouth, which really annoy me from October to May, have disappeared (I wrote about them in my review of Acriderm). I don’t know how long the results will last, but the seizures went away on their own after the second session and have not yet returned (I finished the course two weeks ago). Although my lips have started to dry out, so they will probably come back. But 2-3 months without them seem to me to be a good result.

Of course, radio waves have their contraindications, like many other procedures.

Overall, I'm happy, but I don't think it's worth the price. If doing a chemical peel without a radio wave, I see the point, then doing a radio wave without a peel seems to me to be ineffective, and the combination of both procedures turns out to be an expensive pleasure.

But I don’t yet see an alternative other than injections, and I’m not mentally prepared for them. Therefore, if finances allow, I recommend it.

What is facial thermage and who invented it?

The technique is based on the use of radio waves, which locally heat tissues and stimulate the production of the key factor of youth - collagen.

The essence of the procedure is that the Thermage CPT device, using a special attachment, heats the deep-lying collagen of the epidermis to a certain temperature, as a result, protein synthesis is activated, completely “loose” fibers are destroyed, others are restored, and the growth of new ones is accelerated. This procedure promises a lifting effect - strengthening, smoothing and tightening the facial skin.

Yes, great minds have found a pill of youth, we “cook” collagen and become younger. In the segment of non-invasive lifting technologies, the Thermage technique almost instantly took a leading position.

How is the procedure done?

It is carried out only by a professional and a specially designed device. Before the session, the specialist must tell you about all contraindications. If you have jewelry on, you take it off. First, the specialist disinfects your face, then applies an anesthetic and cooling spray. But do not think that this means that you will experience pain during the session. This is wrong. All you will feel is the vibrating movements from the device. When the skin is disinfected, the specialist will use special paper to divide your face (or other part of the body) into special zones in order to treat them correctly without missing anything.

Thus, a grid will be imprinted on your face from the paper indicating the desired areas (don’t be afraid, it will be easily washed off with water). After this, the cosmetologist uses a special apparatus to influence these areas. The skin will warm up, tissues will strengthen, and the skin will tighten. Many people note the result after the first session, but if this does not happen, do not be upset, it happens that the effect will become noticeable after the course and even a couple of months later.

After completing the session, you should not expose your skin to sunlight or other thermal procedures (for example, a bath or a hot bath) for 24 hours. In addition, it is prohibited to engage in active sports and eat salty foods. But this is only for the first twenty-four hours and in the name of facial skin rejuvenation.

Who developed the Thermage cosmetology trend?

In the field of surgery, radio wave technologies have been used since the beginning of the 20th century and quite successfully. In the cosmetology segment, this product is quite new, but has already declared its high effectiveness. The Thermage cosmetology device was developed by American plastic surgeon Edward Knowlton, who often used a radiofrequency scalpel in his practice. The idea of ​​​​creating the device came to him after he began to note that after using such a scalpel, the skin in the incision area very quickly thickens and tightens. It was this observation that formed the basis for the creation of the thermage technique - heating deep layers of skin (2.5 - 4.5 mm) using radio frequency energy.

The effects of electromagnetic waves on the skin were studied until 2000 by the scientific minds at Thermage Inc. Subsequently, they created the Thermage CPT cosmetology device, developed a procedure protocol and won the recognition of millions of women who were looking for effective non-surgical lifting. The progressive procedure has occupied a special niche in hardware cosmetology; there is great demand for it, even despite its considerable cost.

What Thermage promises to do for your face:

We list the declared effects of this procedure:

• Activation of collagen protein synthesis processes while fully maintaining the integrity of the skin.
• The visible result after 1 session is a reduction in deep and expression wrinkles, the skin is tightened, the complexion improves, the oval is clearer.
• The pronounced lifting effect manifests itself within 5-6 months, then consolidates and lasts from 2 to 5 years.

The declared results are very impressive. And if we add to this that after the procedure there is no rehabilitation period required, and its implementation is completely independent of the season and weather, then we can say that Thermage is an ideal rejuvenation technique. One minus is that the procedure is quite expensive (about 135,000 rubles). As for the age limits for use, experts define no earlier than 35 years and no later than 70.

Duration of effect

Active formation of new collagen and strengthening of the dermis occurs within six months after the session. And although the first positive changes can be noticed immediately after the procedure, the process of skin rejuvenation after the Thermage procedure will progress gradually and significant results can be seen after 4-6 months.

The result of the procedure lasts up to 5 years, depending on the condition of the skin and individual aging processes. If you wish, you can repeat the Thermage procedure, but not earlier than 6 months after the last session.

Combining Thermage with other aesthetic procedures (thread lifting, contouring, laser rejuvenation) and professional care will give the most long-term effect, slowing down the aging process for several years.

When to run and sign up for Facial Thermage

Most often, cosmetologists recommend undergoing a facial thermage procedure for such visible changes characteristic of people who have crossed the 40 mark:

• Loss of facial skin tone;
• Ptosis of the eyelids (sagging upper/sagging lower);
• Violation of facial contours (double chin);
• Sagging cheeks, loss of volume in the zygomatic part, drooping facial muscles;
• The presence of “crow’s feet” wrinkles around the mouth, nasolabial folds, longitudinal wrinkles on the forehead;
• For signs of aging neck skin;
• Manifestation of other signs of facial skin aging.

It is believed that it significantly improves complexion, as it destroys old collagen, which becomes gray over the years and gives birth to a young, pink color.

In some cases, thermal lifting is prescribed as an auxiliary procedure in rehabilitation therapy after plastic surgery.

Areas that can be affected

One of the most popular areas where skin tightening is performed is, of course, the face. The procedure is aimed at getting rid of signs of aging and sagging skin. It can be made more youthful, fresh and healthy. During a non-surgical lift, the following is affected:

1. top;
2. average;
3. lower part of the face.

By targeting the forehead, the forehead and area around the eyes are lifted. In addition, eyebrows are raised, the look becomes fresher and more open. Direct action on the upper and lower eyelids allows you to achieve alignment of this area. Thermage helps reduce or completely eliminate wrinkles and bags under the eyes. After the procedure, the upper part of the cheeks, as well as the loose skin of the eyelids, acquire elasticity. By acting on the cheeks, it is possible to achieve a pronounced lifting of this area, smooth out the nasolabial fold and reduce pores. When applied to the lower part, the laxity of the skin in the chin area is reduced. Thanks to this procedure, you can tighten the oval of the face, as well as significantly reduce the double chin or completely get rid of it. This technique can also be used to tighten the body. You can reduce wrinkles and tighten the skin of the neck, give contours to the abdomen, upper and lower extremities, and knees. Thermage has been proven to be highly effective in treating cellulite of various stages.

Dr. Noah's clinic offers clients the highest level of service. This is the best medical institution in Germany, in which all procedures are carried out by qualified specialists with extensive experience. The use of innovative technologies and the most modern equipment allows you to achieve the desired rejuvenation effect. By contacting this medical institution, you can be sure of an excellent result and complete safety of the procedure.

Thermage of eyelids and eye areas

Our eyes work constantly (we blink, squint, laugh), the skin in this area is always in motion, as a result, wrinkles around the eyes are the first to bother us and already from the age of 30-35, or even earlier. The dermis in this area has practically no subcutaneous fatty tissue, so the skin around the eyes is the thinnest and most sensitive. It contains many blood vessels, and if it becomes thinner, it becomes almost translucent, resulting in not only bags under the eyes, but also “cyanosis.” In addition, when blood stagnates (poor lymph outflow), blood vessels become the cause of the development of edema. According to experts, and many reviews, thermage of the eyelids allows you to get minus 5-10 years. And that's impressive.

Performing Thermage in the eye area has a number of features. At the preparatory stage, the markings are much finer. The eyes must be protected with dark lenses, and drops with a protective and anesthetic effect are also used. Much smaller nozzles are used. The result of radiofrequency rejuvenation of the eye area is a tightening of the upper and lower eyelids, reduction of wrinkles around the eyes, bags and bruises on the lower eyelids are removed. The result lasts 2-5 years. To prolong the effect, you will need to repeat the procedure after a year and a half.

Thermage of the face and eyelids

Wrinkles, ptosis, a “swollen” oval of the face, a drooping eyelid, a tired and heavy look - these are the markers of age that “age” a still young face, giving it an exhausted look. Thermage helps erase the telltale signs of aging from the face and eye area, leaving the face looking young and rested again.

The procedure helps reduce nasolabial folds and wrinkles around the mouth, tightens the skin, improves skin texture, strengthens the oval of the face, models the contours of the angle of the lower jaw, corrects the “double chin,” and erases signs of age from the neck and décolleté.

The skin of the eyelids, by its structure, is much more vulnerable to any external influences and requires the most delicate handling. Therefore, for the Thermage eyelid rejuvenation procedure, a special attachment is used that allows you to carefully and effectively act on the skin of the eyelids, eliminating age-related changes and transforming this sensitive area.

In the area around the eyes, Thermage allows you to solve the following problems: corrects wrinkles in the outer corners of the eyes (“crow’s feet”), tightens the upper and lower eyelids (including eliminating bags under the eyes), strengthens the skin and fixes its tighter fit to muscles.

It will not only rejuvenate the face, but also restore elasticity to the body and remove cellulite

As evidenced by numerous reviews from patients, and as stated by many cosmetologists, the fight against cellulite with the Thermage technique gives the most noticeable results. This procedure is also performed in the abdomen and waist area, giving the effect of a corset.

RF radiation works at a depth of up to 4.5 mm in the layers of subcutaneous fatty tissue and triggers the process of neocollagenogenesis. The result is a smoothing of the “orange peel” due to the complete renewal of the “skeleton” of subcutaneous structures, the skin in the most delicate places regains its elasticity, firmness and smoothness. Skin tightening can be seen immediately after the procedure, however, the full result is observed only after 2-6 months. This is understandable, because it takes time to build new collagen fibers. This delayed effect allows you not to worry about the “orange peel”; a record time for such a difficult problem to eliminate is 2-3 years.

Thermage VS ultrasonic SMAS lift

Patients coming to a cosmetology clinic do not set a specific goal to simply remove drooping eyelids or enlarge cheekbones. They want to look younger immediately and naturally. When the question of skin tightening arises, the possibilities of laser correction or photorejuvenation are quite limited. Only ultrasonic SMAS lifting and Thermage radio wave lifting work effectively, and are not inferior in results to surgery. They each work at their own level.

1. SMAS (altera therapy) works at a deep level of 5-5.5 mm, working specifically on ligaments and muscles, and has a lesser effect on the dermis itself. It is the muscles that lose tone with age or go into hypertonicity, sag or shrink, resulting in wrinkles, sagging, and a swollen oval of the face.
2. Thermage works only at the level of the dermis (2.5 mm), destroying old collagen and stimulating the formation of new, young fibers; in a three-dimensional projection, it reduces the skin of the face, tightens it and makes the contour clearer.

Therefore, these procedures cannot be called competing. Rather, they are complementary. The choice of SMAS lifting or Thermage lifting depends on the patient in each specific case. Quite often, cosmetologists choose a combination of these techniques. Also, non-surgical SMAS lift is used in cases of thin anatomical structure of the skin, that is, when Thermage is contraindicated.

Operating principle

With age and due to external factors (sun, bad habits, stress, nutrition), the collagen responsible for the elasticity and density of the skin is destroyed. The destruction of collagen provokes premature aging of the skin, weakening its intracellular structure and thereby reducing its tone.

Products that work on the surface of the skin are not able to affect collagen fibers. The unique Thermage technology allows you to penetrate into the deep layers of the skin: affecting the deep layers of the dermis, radio frequency energy pulses remodel collagen fibers, stimulating the synthesis of new collagen at a record depth of 5-7 mm.

Taking the correct shape under the influence of radio frequency pulses, collagen fibers form a dense frame, as a result the skin tightens and becomes more elastic. But the main thing is that the Thermage device affects not only existing fibers, but also stimulates the formation of new collagen, also creating a delayed rejuvenating effect.

There are other devices that perform so-called thermolifting, but the effect after the Thermage procedure is clinically proven and confirmed only when using official ThermaCool equipment.

Is it possible to tighten facial skin at home? Yes, Thermage Mini can help you!

Professional-level lifting, namely full-fledged Thermage at home, is quite possible. In 2013, the Swiss cosmetology brand introduced a unique new product to the market - Thermage Mini, specially designed for use at home. By strictly following the instructions, you can achieve very good results with this device.

But experts strongly do not recommend its use to anyone who knows absolutely nothing about cosmetology. Before you independently influence the deep layers of your skin, it is better to first consult with a specialist, learn about all the nuances of its use and possible contraindications.

If everything is so wonderful and effective, then why is Thermage banned in Europe and America?

Controversy over this technique is very relevant in European clinics. In a number of countries it was completely banned due to the absolute incomparability of the effect and delayed consequences. Many gurus of European plastic surgery claim that this technique is irreversible and severely traumatizes the skin from the inside. “Sintering” collagen fibers when exposed to heat of +60C, they curl up, the skin naturally tightens, but at the same time its structure changes dramatically - it becomes hard, very dense. After Thermage, other rejuvenation procedures cannot be performed, especially injections. And plastic surgeons refuse to do a circular lift, since the skin is not at all the same, it is covered in micro adhesions. That is, by exerting a remodeling effect on collagen with monopolar radiofrequency heating, some scarring occurs inside the skin, due to which it becomes thicker, as a result, more taut on the outside.

Essentially, the Thermage CPT machine “cooks” the collagen protein.

Expert opinion

Useful advice from the editor

For presentation. When we fry raw egg white in a frying pan, it changes its structure, becoming dense and non-flowing. In approximately the same way, collagen is cooked under the influence of radio waves. In addition to the fact that you can get a negative effect in the future, Thermage is recognized as the most painful hardware procedure.

We hope you found the article useful. If you have read it, it means that the issue of rejuvenation is relevant to you, and now you know for sure whether to “cook” your collagen or not in order to get the desired result.

Eyelid Thermage - real reviews about the procedure

I tried Thermage on my eyelids at the age of 28 - after a dramatic weight loss, I encountered the problem of sagging skin. And if the body was able to be put in order with the help of the gym, then neither creams nor facial gymnastics helped the face. I’m afraid to go under the surgeon’s knife, but laser cosmetology promised a lift without scars. After weighing the pros and cons, I settled on the Thermage eyelid procedure, since it was the sagging skin of the eyelid that made my eyes look tired and dull.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure, I will attach my before and after photos:

Immediately after the procedure, the result became noticeable in the mirror, despite slight redness and swelling. The process itself is a little painful, but there is no severe pain. The skin seemed to become more taut and elastic. The eyeliner goes on more smoothly and does not crease in the corners of the eyes.

The effect of the procedure became best visible after 2 months. The cosmetologist promised to preserve the elasticity of the skin around the eyes for 5 years, which is good news. My unequivocal recommendations, but only after consulting a doctor, since my friend was forbidden to undergo a similar procedure for health reasons.

The essence of the procedure

This rejuvenation technique was invented in 2002 in America, and since then it has become widespread in the European part, including Russia. The procedure is not an operation; the skin is exposed to a special device with radio frequency radiation, which heats the epidermis and strengthens the tissue, resulting in the synthesis of collagen, which is responsible for the elasticity of the face.

The procedure can be performed on the body, but most often it is in demand specifically for the frontal and eye areas, as well as for the chin. This is not to say that the session is cheap, so not everyone can afford it. The procedure itself lasts from twenty to sixty minutes (depending on the problem and treatment area). Of course, one session will not be enough, so it is worth taking a course of five to ten procedures. The effect may also not be visible immediately, sometimes it occurs only after three months, but according to cosmetologists, the result will last up to five years.

Indications for Thermage and effects of the procedure

This technique is indicated for people suffering from:

1. Wrinkles in the oral and frontal areas.
2. Impending centuries.
3. Dark circles and bags in the area under the eyes.
4. Skin laxity.
5. Double chin.