Facial thermage - what is this procedure, how is it done, what is the difference with RF-lifting. Photos, results, price, reviews

Many women who have crossed a certain age line dream of healthy and youthful skin. In search of a second youth, they turn to the latest achievements in cosmetology.

Among the many procedures offered, such a method of hardware cosmetology as facial thermage stands apart. What this procedure is and how effective it is - these are the main points that interest women who have discovered this technique.

Thermage concept

Thermage is a hardware cosmetic procedure in which radio frequency waves affect the cells of the dermis.

As a result of radiation, local tissue heating occurs, which leads to the activation of collagen synthesis and strengthening of the facial skin. In other words, this non-surgical correction method visibly tightens and rejuvenates the skin.

Benefits

Thermage procedure has a number of advantages:

• collagen synthesis is activated, while the upper layers of the dermis remain intact;
• a noticeable lifting effect appears;
• the result is noticeable after 1 session;
• the facelift effect lasts from 3 to 5 years;
• patients do not require a rehabilitation period;
• the application of the method does not depend on the season and weather conditions.

This type of anti-aging procedure has a minimum of contraindications and can be used by both women and men who have not reached the age threshold of 70 years.

Disadvantages compared to similar techniques

The main disadvantage of this method is its high cost. Compared to other anti-aging procedures, the prices for thermage are several times higher. However, the result will not be long in coming.

Patients with hypersensitivity also notice a slight pain syndrome during the procedure, which is a disadvantage compared to many other methods of rejuvenation.

Summarizing, we can identify the following disadvantages of thermage in comparison with other methods of rejuvenation:

• high price;
• soreness (in patients with increased sensory sensitivity);
• the possibility of thermal burns to the skin;
• longer procedure time (at least 45 minutes).

Indications

Like any cosmetic procedure, thermage requires a number of indications for its implementation.

Most often it is recommended for:

• loss of tone of the facial skin;
• violation of the smooth contours of the face (double chin);
• overhanging of the upper and lower eyelids (bags under the eyes);
• the presence of mimic wrinkles around the eyes (crow's feet);
• other early signs of aging.

In a number of cases, thermolifting is prescribed as one of the auxiliary procedures included in the list of rehabilitation therapy after plastic surgery.

Contraindications

Facial thermage (what kind of procedure it is, its advantages and possible side effects are discussed with the client at the initial stage of the examination) are actively used in their practice by most large cosmetology clinics.

This type of radiofrequency rejuvenation has a number of contraindications common to this type of technique. Among them are absolute and relative.

Absolute contraindications include:

• the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• the presence of wounds in the zone of exposure to radio frequencies;
• eczema, psoriasis;
• diseases accompanied by hyperthermia;
• type I and II diabetes mellitus;
• oncology;
• diseases associated with mental disorders or pathologies of the central nervous system.

Relative contraindications are:

• the presence of a pacemaker (consultation and permission for the procedure of the attending physician is required);
• dysplasia of connective tissues and other types of pathologies requiring additional examination and detection of the stage of the disease;
• tendency to scar formation (consultation of an observing dermatologist is necessary);
• fresh tan.

At what age can you do the procedure

The thermolifting procedure, as the prevention of age-related skin changes, is recommended to be carried out from 35 years old. The top bar is 70 years. Patients over this age tend to have too many absolute contraindications.

What parts of the body is it used for?

The thermolifting method can be used for both face and body... Most often, it is required to correct the skin in the eye area in order to remove crow's feet, reduce swelling under the eyes and overhang of the upper eyelids.

The second most frequently corrected area is the nose and lips. Thermage can be used to remove deep folds that give the face a disgruntled expression.

After 35 years, thermolifting is often used as part of preventive measures to prevent the appearance of such folds.

This method allows you to correct and sharpen the contour of the face, remove the double chin. Also, during the procedure, shallow mimic wrinkles are smoothed, the dermis of the cheeks is tightened. The very first visible result is an overall fresh appearance of the patient.

Eyelids and eye area

The skin of the eyelids and the area around the eyes is most sensitive and thin. He is in constant motion. The dermis lacks a subcutaneous fat layer, but it has many blood vessels, which, in the event of blood stagnation, cause the development of edema.

Therefore, the thermage procedure here has a number of its own characteristics:

• the markings used during the preparatory phase are much smaller;
• the tips used during the procedure are smaller in size;
• special eye drops with anesthetic and protective effect are used;
• eyes must be protected by dark lenses that prevent radiation.

The result of this method of radiofrequency rejuvenation can last for 2-5 years, depending on the characteristics of the patient's skin structure. To prolong the effect, cosmetologists recommend repeating the procedure after 1-1.5 years.

Face

Facial thermage is applicable to various areas. Lips, nasolabial area, cheekbones, forehead and cheeks - any of these areas can be rejuvenated using this method.

The attachment used for thermal lifting in the cheeks or cheekbones is larger than that used for treating the eyes and the area around them. The size of the special markings applied to the patient's skin also changes.

Facial thermage is not only a method of dealing with the consequences, but also a means of prevention, which is confirmed by cosmetologists. A striking example is the prevention of the formation of deep nasolabial folds as a result of preventive treatment of this area with a thermolifting device.

Preparatory stage. Analyzes and preliminary examination

Like any serious cosmetic procedure, facial thermage has several stages: preparatory, main and restorative.

The preparatory stage begins 2 weeks before the main procedure. It includes a mandatory initial consultation with a cosmetologist, who will assess the condition of the skin and write out a referral for a medical examination. It may include not only a laboratory blood test, but also an additional consultation with a dermatologist if a skin disease is suspected.

Facial thermage - what is this procedure, how is it performed, what are the contraindications and is it recommended for the patient - the specialist must give detailed answers to all these questions at the initial consultation.

A week before the thermolifting procedure, the patient must refuse:

• visits to the solarium and open beaches;
• the use of fatty foods, a large amount of spices, spices, pickles and preservatives;
• smoking and alcohol.

Thermage is performed only on condition of clean skin, without pustules, wounds and acne. Refusal of salt, a large amount of water drunk per day, an increase in cereal and plant foods in the diet will solve the problem with infectious rashes.

Only after passing all the tests and passing the necessary consultations, the cosmetologist will appoint a date for the procedure.

Procedure execution

The thermage procedure itself is a series of sequential operations:

1. Facial skin treatment. All applied decorative cosmetics, creams and balms are preliminarily removed, after which the skin is disinfected - treated with an alcohol-containing agent. With increased dryness of the dermis, a different composition for disinfection can be selected.
2. Application of special markings. A washable marker and special paper are used for this step. Contour marking allows you to highlight problem areas and correct the lines of processing by the thermage apparatus.
3. The use of anesthesia and additional protective measures. This stage is relevant when working with the eyes and the area around the bottom. Special eye drops have an analgesic effect and protect the cornea from radiation. Dark lenses have the same function.
4. Equipment preparation. The device turns on to heat up to the required temperature, and the beautician selects the size of the nozzle used during the procedure. There are 5 attachments for face thermage. The smallest for the eyelids, and the largest for the forehead.
5. The working process. During the procedure, the beautician adjusts the depth of exposure, taking into account the treated area. The patient does not experience painful sensations, but he feels impulses.
6. The processing time of the skin depends on the professionalism and experience of the specialist, the degree of age-related problems, the number of treated areas and the individual characteristics of the patient.

Don't miss the most popular column article: Plasmolifting of the face - what it is, how it is performed, results, photos before and after the procedure.

The fake difference

Many patients who underwent the thermage procedure were not satisfied with the result, since the effect was not fully manifested. The most common reason for this is the use of devices for radiofrequency lifting, a method similar to facial thermage, but with a less noticeable result and cheaper in financial terms.

It is very easy to distinguish a fake. Just look at the thermage apparatus itself. Thermal lifting devices are produced by the American company Thermage Inc (California, USA). The name of the Therma Cool device must be marked on the body of the device.

An additional guarantee of the authenticity of the procedure is a detailed explanation of the specialist what the method is and the demonstration of the device with all attachments.

It is also necessary to remember that the result of thermage is achieved by carrying out one procedure.In the event that a specialist recommends conducting a course at intervals of less than a year, one should doubt the authenticity of the device and the method itself.

Thermage machine at home

Facial thermage (what kind of procedure is described in detail above) until 2013 was performed only in clinics and specialized salons. However, in the same year, Swiss specialists released the Thermage Mini device, with which you can carry out lifting at home.

The device is more compact and convenient for independent use. The price for this type of device varies from 67 to 77 thousand.

Detailed instructions for the device allow you to carry out the procedure yourself at home. However, the best results can only be achieved when working with professional equipment and an experienced specialist.

Recovery and rehabilitation

The recovery period lasts no more than 2 days. Lack of rehabilitation is one of the advantages of thermage. You can return to your usual way of life almost immediately.

Due to the increased sensitivity of the facial skin, a number of requirements must be observed in order to maintain the effect of the procedure for a long time:

• do not stay in direct sunlight for a long time;
• at first you cannot use the solarium;
• do not use decorative and sunscreen cosmetics for the first 14-18 days after undergoing thermage;
• refrain from visiting Russian, Turkish baths and saunas in order to exclude the possibility of inflammation;
• do not use alcohol-containing face products (lotions);
• replace harsh soap with soft foam for washing;
• exclude the use of scrubs and pilling;
• temporarily cancel sports.

The beautician must warn the patient about all these rules. In all other types of activities, severe restrictions are not observed.

Differences from RF-lifting

Facial thermage is an analogue of RF lifting. Many people think they are the same thing. Indeed, these techniques are distinguished by the general principle based on the effect on the dermis of radio frequency radiation. However, there are also significant differences.

First of all, we are talking about the heating temperature of the skin. For thermage, this indicator is 60 ° C, and for RF lifting - 40 ° C. Therefore, in the first case, there is a greater chance of getting a thermal burn.

You can also note the following differences:

• the difference in the monopolar radiation frequency (it is more powerful in the thermage);
• complete collagen denaturation during thermolifting and partial denaturation during RF-lifting;
• the number of procedures required (1 for thermage and a course for RF-lifting).

Is Altera more effective?

The principle of operation of the Altera apparatus is based on ultrasonic action on subcutaneous tissues located at a depth of 3-8 mm.

There are a number of differences between Thermage and Altera procedures:

• a longer recovery period (about 2 weeks), often accompanied by redness and slight swelling, after the Altera procedure;
• less noticeable result in comparison with thermage;
• temporary increase in the sensitivity of the skin;
• lower cost of one procedure using the Altera apparatus.

Duration of effect

Thermage results appear almost immediately, but the greatest effect is achieved 5-6 months after the procedure. With proper care, the result "stays on the face" for 4-6 years.

Side effects and consequences

One of the advantages of the procedure is the almost complete absence of side effects.

However, if the rules of the recovery period are violated or if the beautician makes mistakes, the following "disadvantages" may be observed:

• lack of visible results;
• thermal burns;
• fibrosis.

The last point is a particularly strong side effect that occurs when the fibroblasts react excessively to radiation. The result is the proliferation of connective tissue and the formation of subcutaneous scars.

What procedures are often combined with?

The thermage procedure is often combined with a method called Fraxel. This is laser stimulation of cell regeneration as a result of which active regenerative processes begin on micro-areas of the dermis.

Also thermolifting is recommended after carrying out:

• liposuction;
• abdominoplasty;
• facelift.

Where to make thermage, and how much does it cost

The second question that is often asked after explaining the technique is the cost of the procedure. Many are scared off by the high price, but given the instant result and the long shelf life of the effect, it is worth it.

The average price for facial thermage varies within the following limits:

• eyelids - from 70 to 100 thousand rubles;
• neck - from 100 to 120 thousand rubles;
• middle region - from 100 thousand rubles.

In regional centers of cosmetology, prices are on average 15-20% lower.

When choosing a clinic for the procedure, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• availability of original equipment from an American manufacturer;
• experienced professional cosmetologists with certificates confirming their qualifications;
• one-time procedure.

At the consultation, a specialist is obliged not only to explain what a face thermage is, but also to give an opportunity to get acquainted with the equipment and warn about all possible side effects and contraindications. Only such a responsible approach will allow you to get a guaranteed, and most importantly, safe result.

Useful videos about facial thermage

Thermage. Facial rejuvenation in the salon:

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