Thermage Skin Tightening
Facial skin tightening for smooth, youthful, contoured skin around the face, eyes and neck - a non-surgical facelift.
Tighten loose skin
Reduce fine lines
Enhance facial contours
No surgery or injections
Single visit results
Little or no downtime
What is Thermage?
Thermage® is an FDA-approved aesthetic procedure that can help smooth, tighten and contour skin for a fresher, more youthful appearance.
The technique utilizes radio frequency technology to send heat deep into the skin and dermis, inducing the remodelling of tissue and the production of new collagen and elastin.
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What are the benefits of treatment?
"The remodeling of the collagen leads to clinically discernible improvement in the sagging skin and skin quality; the remodeling of deep dermal collagen (fibrous septae) allows modeling of contours and improvement of the cellulite appearance." [1]
For a treatment that doesn't involve surgery, Thermage skin tightening is really quite remarkable - offering versatility in its application while delivering both immediate and prolonged results.
Skin tightening areas
Thermage allows for skin tightening in several key areas:
The face
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Soften lines & wrinkles
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Smooth rough skin
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Lift the cheeks
The jawline
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Add definition to jaw
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Add definition to chin
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Below - tighten sagging
The body
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Tighten saggy skin
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Smooth bulging skin
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Reduce look of cellulite
Immediate and prolonged skin tightening
Thermage provides a double skin tightening benefit delivered over two stages:
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During treatment:
- Thermage heats the collagen-rich layers deep within the skin. This separates water from the collagen fibers and results in an immediate tightening effect.
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After treatment:
- New collagen is generated, which helps deliver a further, gradual tightening effect for up to six months.
While the effects of this one treatment can last for between 1-2 years, many clients opt to continue with Thermage treatment on an annual basis for sustained skin rejuvenation.
Lasting results in a single visit
Thermage treatment provides a less drastic alternative than a surgical facelift for those seeking noticeable results with minimal fuss.
In particular, Thermage treatment opens up a face tightening opportunity that requires:
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no surgery - no need to go under the knife or receive injections
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a single visit - just a single 90 minute session is required for lasting results
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little or no downtime - most people are able to dive straight into work and life activity immediately after treatment.
How does the technology work?
The role of collagen
The body's main structural protein
Collagen is the main structural protein between the body's connective tissues that helps provide the firmness and elasticity associated with youthful, healthy skin.
This collagen breaks down as part of the aging process, leading to a loss in elasticity and the knock-on effects of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.
Radiofrequency technology
An immediate tightening boost
Thermage's radiofrequency technology penetrates the skin to heat the deeper collagen-rich layers.
The heating process separates water molecules from the collagen fibers, resulting in contraction and skin tightening effect.
Thermage's cooling and vibrating tip improves patient comfort during the heating process.
Ongoing regeneration of collagen
Up to 6 months of further tightening
Over the months following treatment, new collagen strands are produced.
This results in further tightening and smoothing of the skin for up to six months.
So, one treatment session results in a two-fold tightening effect - an immediate boost during treatment and additional, more gradual improvements over time.
What does treatment involve?
Rin Aesthetics Clinic in Hong Kong offers Thermage skin tightening treatment in one smooth 90-minute session.
1.
A grid pattern is transferred on to skin
The doctor uses a stencil to transfer a grid pattern onto the area of skin to be treated. This helps to ensure the radio frequency (RF) pulses are applied evenly and accurately across the skin.
2.
A cooling gel is applied
For your comfort, a cooling gel is applied to reduce the feeling of heat generated by the RF pulses.
3.
A 'return pad' is applied
A sticky patch is attached to your stomach or back, creating a path for the RF current to return to the generator.
4.
Radio frequency energy is delivered
The doctor delivers pulses of RF energy along each area of the grid pattern. This energy heats the collagen deep within the skin, creating an immediate tightening effect.
5.
Post-treatment
The skin continues to tighten over the next six months following treatment as new collagen is produced, delivering a smoother, firmer and youthful effect.
Are there any side effects?
Thermage has a well-documented history of strong efficacy and safety alongside low risks of side effects, particularly when measured against surgical alternatives. It is also an FDA-approved procedure, bears CE marking and conforms to IPO standards.
In a clinical study of over 600 treatments that combined Thermage with cryogen cooling between 2002 and 2006, temporary side effects were observed in just 2.7% of treatments, while there were no permanent side effects [2].
Of these 2.7% who received temporary side effects, the most common clinical effects were erythema (skin redness) and edema (swelling), mostly lasting less than 24 hours. The most significant side effect resulted in a slight depression on the cheek which completely resolved within 3.5 months. The remaining temporary effects were relatively minor, clearing up within 1-3 weeks.
Thermage technology has continued to evolve since the completion of this study.
Where can I get Thermage treatment in Hong Kong?
Rin Aesthetics Clinic offers an excellent service for those seeking clinical Thermage treatment at very reasonable prices from a convenient Central Hong Kong location.
Simply get in touch to book your session and receive your initial skin tightening boost in a matter of days - for results that can last up to 1-2 years.
References:
1. Hodgkinson, Darryl. (2009). Clinical Applications of Radiofrequency: Nonsurgical Skin Tightening (Thermage). Clinics in plastic surgery. 36. 261-8, viii. 10.1016/j.cps.2008.11.006.
2. Weiss, Robert & Weiss, Margaret & Munavalli, Girish & Beasley, Karen. (2006). Monopolar radiofrequency facial tightening: a retrospective analysis of efficacy and safety in over 600 treatments. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD. 5. 707-12.