Thermage
As we age, each of us would like to have the firmer, tighter skin of our younger days. But with each passing year our body just keeps producing less and less collagen. Since collagen provides the underlying structural framework for our skin, this decrease allows the skin to sag, thin, lose volume, and develop lines and creases. A surgical facelift can turn back the clock, but most people aren’t ready for that surgery.
At Callender Dermatology and Cosmetic Center, we now offer a non-surgical alternative for tightening your skin — Thermage®. Thermage® uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production and tighten the skin. All without a scalpel in sight!
What is Thermage®?
Who is a good candidate for Thermage® Treatment?
What areas can be treated with Thermage®?
How does Thermage® Tighten and Firm Skin?
Our skin has three layers: the epidermis (the visible outer layer); the dermis (the collagen-rich layer found beneath the epidermis); and the hypodermis, also called the subcutaneous layer (the fat layer under the dermis). As we age, the collagen found in the dermis breaks down and our production of new collagen declines. This causes the skin to wrinkle and sag. Treatments that work on the epidermis are only surface improvements with fleeting results. They do nothing to restore and build the collagen in the dermis and fat layer.
Thermage®, because it targets collagen below the epidermis in the dermis, tightens skin and revitalizes its supportive function. Utilizing capacitive radiofrequency (CRF) technology, the Thermage® procedure utilizes a specialized treatment tip called the ThermaTip™. The ThermaTip™ delivers the CRF to the skin in controlled amounts, without harming the epidermis. It heats the dermis and subcutaneous layer, tricking the body into thinking it has suffered an injury. This is because when the RF energy passes through the epidermis it converts to heat, and when the body senses heat below the epidermis it assumes there has been a wound. The body’s response to this perceived injury is to produce new collagen to rebuild the skin’s support structure. Results continue to improve for four to six months after treatment as new collagen is produced.
Compared to invasive procedures, Thermage® is the safer choice. Unlike lasers that may not work on certain skin types because of the risks of hyperpigmentation, Thermage® can be used on all skin colors. Plus, it only takes a single treatment to achieve optimal results.
