I had my first Thermage treatment for a loose neckline in 2009, as I was a long way away from any surgery. Ouch! The treatment was not only very painful, I saw no results.
So when Dr. Vic Narurkar , San Francisco dermatologist and Laser King asked if I’d like to try the new Thermage treatment for training purposes, I said yes. For years, Thermage has been called “the gold standard” for skin tightening.
Thermage FLX delivers radio-frequency energy deep below the surface of the skin were the collagen is produced. The energy heats and smooths out the existing collagen and creates new collagen. It also heats up the skin faster. FLX is the newest version and a big game changer as it produces more predictable results. The tips are 33% larger so larger treatment surface areas can be treated, allowing for faster treatment times. A face and neck can be done under 60 minutes, making all the treatment areas more comfortable. You will see immediate off the table results but optimal results are generally at the 3 to 6 month mark . Retreatment is done every 1 to 3 years.
I’m always a little skeptical about skin tightening devices. Patient selection is key, as not everyone will benefit. Since my last Thermage in 2009, I’ve had a face and neck lift. However, my neck was never tight enough, so I was willing to give this a try.
I expected to get numbing cream before the treatment, even though I knew it could not hurt as much as the first time. I was told that I did not need numbing cream and that it would not hurt. My anxiety level went up 100%. However, I put my faith into Dr. Narurkar’s skilled hands and trusted him. Once we started the treatment, I was incredibly surprised to feel almost nothing. I was dozing off. Amazing!
Dr. Narurkar used a setting of 2.5 to 3.5 on my face and 1.5 to 2 on submentum and 0.5 to 1 on my neck. 900 count tip. About 4 to 6 passes per anatomic area.
Sadly, Dr. Vic Narurkar suddenly passed away in late January this year. He is greatly missed.
Right after my treatment, my face had a nice glow and I could see it looked tighter.
It’s been five months since my treatments. I see a little lifting around my jaw line. My brows do look elevated. It’s hard to tell if there is any improvement in my neck, but I was not expecting much.
In conclusion, Thermage FLX is extremely comfortable. As results improve over time, you have to be patient. It’s not a quick fix. Results take 3-6 months. The treatment is a great adjunct after a facelift. If I had a Thermage treatment soon after my facelift, my facelift may have lasted longer than it did. As I said, patient selection is important and you have to manage your expectations. Combining Thermage FLX with Botox and Fillers helps in maintaining a youthful appearance. Keep in mind, if you really need a facelift and have lots of loose, sagging skin you may not be happy with the results. Results are different with each person. Before you decide, please seek the advise of a Board Certified Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon who has a lot of experience in treating patients of all age groups with Thermage.
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