In the age of Pandora and Spotify, maybe it makes sense that today radiofrequency energy it used to tighten the skin, rather than power your car radio. At Saltz Plastic Surgery, the procedure is called Thermage®. Thermage® is a safe, non-invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production, resulting in smoother, tighter skin.
How does Thermage® work?
To understand how radiofrequency energy can tighten the skin, first you need to understand the makeup of the 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, collagen found in the dermis breaks down, causing the skin to wrinkle and sag. Once you understand the skin’s makeup, you realize that treatments that work on the outer surface of the skin cannot help restore collagen in the deeper layers.
Thermage®, on the other hand does, 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; the body responds to this heating because it thinks it has suffered an injury. The body’s response is to produce new collagen to rebuild the skin’s support structure. Results continue to improve four to six months after treatment as new collagen is produced.
Unlike lasers that may not work on certain skin types, Thermage can be used on all skin colors. Plus, it only takes a single treatment to achieve optimal results.
What happens during a Thermage® procedure?
Our patients report a brief, heat sensation every time energy is delivered to the deeper layers of the skin with the ThermaTip™. The higher the setting used during the Thermage® procedure, which can lead to more impressive final results, the more discomfort there can be. The procedure is very safe and has mild side effects, such as swelling, redness, bumps, and blisters.
Let’s tighten your skin non-invasively with Thermage® at Saltz Plastic Surgery. Call our Salt Lake or Park City offices for your appointment.
