What is Thermage® CPT and how is it different from
"regular"
Thermage?
Thermage® is a patented radiofrequency (RF) technology that
has been clinically proven to tighten and gently lift skin to
smooth out wrinkles and renew facial contours, tighten loose and
sagging eyelid skin and also improve the appearance of
cellulite - the applications have not changed, but the results
and the delivery comfort have improved. Thermage
CPT is the newest technology which incorporates an advanced
treatment tip for more uniform and longer-duration deep dermal heating (the action which
creates the tightening) - and includes an innovative vibrating handpiece that makes the treatment far more comfortable. Why is improving comfort
levels such a big factor?
Originally,
Thermage was, quite frankly, a painful
procedure. In order to effectively heat the tissue levels to start
the collagen firming and production, the heat levels have to be high
and this in turn made Thermage admittedly a tough procedure for a
majority of patients to tolerate. Turning down the sensation of heat
without turning down the heat means we can get better
tightening results because patients can tolerate a higher level of
energy. The NEW CPT system
Vibrational delivery interferes with the
signals sent to the brain about pain. End effect? You feel
vibration and massage instead of heat.
Tip advancement delivers the heat more
uniformly so there are no "edges" of heat perception. Smooth
heating helps minimize the body's differential heat perceptions.
Thermage uses a sophisticated treatment tip called Thermatip™, which delivers a controlled amount of Radio Frequency energy.
As the heat tip is applied to the skin, the thermatip™ device uniformly
heats a large volume of collagen in the deeper layers of the
skin and its underlying tissue while simultaneously protecting
the outer layer of the skin with cooling.
This deep uniform
heating action causes loose collagen structures in your skin to
immediately tighten. Over time, new and remodeled collagen is
produced to further tighten skin, resulting in healthier,
smoother skin and a more youthful appearance.
Photo Source
Thermage.com
Photos courtesy Nelly Gauthier, MD
Full Face and Neck
Photo Source
Thermage.com
Photos courtesy Ivan Rosales, MD
Full Face and Neck
"I was very pleased with how you handled my Thermage. I already see results
particularly around the chin and I am so pleased.
You were very helpful and answered lots of questions and
concerns. Again, I had a very positive experience and enjoyed
your staff and appreciated your time and help with the Thermage.
I was quite nervous and it went so well and so easy." Dr. Ginny
Gordon, Total Dermatology Thermage patient
Will
Thermage take the place of surgery?
Thermage is a tightening and firming procedure and will not
deliver the same results as surgery. It is a patented, FDA approved
procedure which will tighten collagen that has loosened with age or
skin stretching (as in weight gain and loss or pregnancy). New
collagen helps reduce wrinkling and sagging by the application of
heat which affects the collagen support layers of the skin. The
appeal of Thermage is the nonsurgical nature of achieving this
firming and tightening.
Patient satisfaction is high. Over half a million patients
have been treated with the Thermage technology.
What happens during the procedure?
Initially your skin will be cleansed to
remove any residual oils. A sheet of paper with grid markings
will be transferred to your skin to indicate which areas might
need additional tightening and to guide Dr. Pilest or our
Thermage nurse and assure full coverage of the area to be
treated.
Much like making alterations to an article of
clothing, the Thermage® treatment is customized to provide the
most benefit for each individual patient. A special pad will be
placed on your back. This pad completes the "circuit" for the RF
energy. You will lie on a comfortable table and a paper transfer
will be used to place a "grid" on the areas of your face to be
treated. This grid ensures complete and uniform treatment and
assists in the customizing of the treatment. Some areas will
require more "passes" of the thermatip™ than others to achieve
the desired results.
During the treatment you will be asked to provide feedback on
the level of heating you feel from the RF pulses. This feedback
allows the best selection of RF energy levels to be used and
makes certain you remain comfortable throughout the procedure.
Once the treatment is completed, the grid is removed.
"... I am so excited about this treatment I am carrying around my
before pictures which were taken in your office. I am 2 months post
treatment and the results are beyond amazing. The next few months
should only reveal more incredible results. I am telling everyone
how excited I am about this procedure and you are more than welcome
to share my joy with other patients."
Joyce McBroom
What will my
Thermage® procedure feel like?
You will experience a brief, deep heating
sensation as the RF energy is delivered to your skin and underlying
tissue. The vibrating handpiece dramatically changes the perception
of discomfort and many patients have compared the procedure to a
massage.
The deep heating
sensation is your indication that your collagen is reaching
effective temperatures for tightening. Dr. Pilest or the Thermage
nurse controls the amount of energy delivered to balance
procedural comfort with maximum results. You will experience a short
blast of super-cooled air immediately before and after each pulse,
which helps to significantly add comfort to the treatment.
How long does it
take?
The Thermage®
procedure can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes depending on
the size of the treatment area and the number of pulses
required. Body areas will take more time.
What will my skin feel like
after the procedure?
Immediately
following a Thermage® procedure, your skin should feel tighter,
smoother and more youthful. Overtime, you will notice additional
tightening.
Will I need more
than one Thermage treatment?
A single Thermage®
treatment has produced results in the majority of patients.
Results are generally fairly subtle and will not give you a
"just treated" appearance. Some patients are more proactive and
choose to have annual procedures to further tighten skin in the
lower face or to maintain a firm and sharp jaw line.
When will I see
results?
Recently
published studies conducted by Thermage® show that measurable
tightening improvements appear gradually over 2 to 6 months
after a single treatment session. However, many patients have
reported seeing an earlier response.
The Thermage®
procedure causes immediate tightening of the collagen structure,
with additional tightening over time. Unpublished reports by
experienced cosmetic physicians indicate that results may last
24 months or longer based on the patient's natural aging
process.
Is the Thermage®
procedure safe?
Thermage® has an
excellent safety record.
Do I need to
schedule downtime?
Most people return
to their regular activities immediately following the Thermage®
procedure. Some people experience mild redness (like a sunburn),
but it usually disappears quickly. No special care is needed
after treatment unless otherwise instructed by Dr. Pilest or our
Thermage nurse.
Where can Thermage® be used?
Face
Sagging skin
Loose jowls or lack of definition in jaw line
Sagging skin under the chin (“turkey neck”)
Wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth, eyes or forehead
Lack of definition in lips
Eyes
Tired looking eyes
Excess skin on the upper eyelid (also known as “hooding”)
Crepey texture of eyelids, making it hard to apply eye shadow or
eye liner
Wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes (“crow’s feet”)
Body
Wrinkled, crepey or sagging skin on the tummy, knees, arms,
legs, hands or buttocks
Sagging skin or unwanted bulges after pregnancy or weight
loss
How will I know if I am a good candidate for Thermage?
View photos of ideal candidates
for Thermage to see how you fit
the criteria.
Patients with excessive skin redundancy will not see the same
results as those who have mild to moderate sagging.
The only way to properly assess your
suitability for the Thermage® treatment is through a
consultation with Dr. Pilest. Skin thickness, degree
of laxity (looseness), amount of skin sagging, and
overall skin condition and tone are factors used in
determining the potential benefits of treatment.
The NEW CPT system 
