What is the thermage (radio frequency treatment) procedure?

Thermage is a safe, non-invasive, radiofrequency (RF) cosmetic procedure that's clinically proven to help smooth, tighten and contour skin for an overall younger looking appearance. The treatment is administered by dermatologists at Kaya Skin Clinic and delivers natural looking results with little to no downtime-on all skin colours, on and off the face, all in a single procedure.

What parts of the body does thermage treat?

Thermage procedures can effectively and safely treat skin on most body parts, including the face, eyes, tummy, arms, hands, thighs and buttocks. Thermage can also temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite. The skin on the face is the most exposed to the sun and other environmental factors. A lifetime of laughing, smiling, frowning and with age, your skin’s collagen and elastin breaks down faster than your body can rebuild them. This triggers wrinkles and lines on the cheeks and forehead, pockets of loose, sagging skin around the eyes and an indistinct jawline, neck and lips. At Kaya, doctors use a radio frequency tip to plump existing collagen and stimulate new growth of healthy collagen resulting in a younger look. Thermage is also the safest way to treat skin laxity all over the body. Thermage successfully tightens the skin in the abdominal region, thighs, buttock and even eliminate sagging skin on the arms.

What conditions does thermage treat?

On the face, Thermage can treat sagging skin, loose jowls, lack of definition in the jaw line, sagging neck skin ("turkey neck"), wrinkles and fine lines, and lack of definition in the lips. Around the eyes, Thermage can treat under eye bags, hooding, rough texture on the eyelids, wrinkles and fine lines, and other contributors to tired looking eyes. Elsewhere on the body, Thermage can treat wrinkled, sagging or bulging skin as well as the appearance of cellulite.

How many treatments will i need for skin tightening?

Unlike many laser Skin tightening treatment procedures requiring four or more sessions, Thermage treatment delivers results in a single treatment for most patients. In fact, when it comes to skin tightening treatment and contouring with little to no downtime, Thermage is the only single treatment, non-invasive procedure in the market.

How long does thermage treatment take?

Thermage treatments average about 45 minutes to an hour for the face and up to 90 minutes to 2 hours for other parts of the body, depending on the size, location and condition of the area to be treated. Unlike many other procedures, Thermage treatment delivers results in a single treatment. In fact, when it comes to wrinkle treatments with little to no downtime, Thermage is one of the only non-invasive procedures on the market. As Thermage is short and one-day treatment, it most convenient and fits perfectly into your busy lifestyle.

Is there any special preparation or follow-up regime for thermage treatment?

No. Unlike surgery, there is no pre-procedure preparation such as blood work or fasting. And there is no special care required after treatment, aside from basic skin maintenance and sunscreens as part of a regular skincare regimen. Since the Thermage procedure has little to no downtime, most patients return to their regular activities immediately following treatment. Some patients exhibit a temporary redness or minor swelling after treatment, but this usually goes away within 24 hours.

How does thermage skin tightening treatment work?

Thermage uses radiofrequency technology to heat the deep, collagen rich layers of your skin. The process is relatively simple- it’s a combination of heat energy to treat deep tissue, and cooling effects, to protect the skin surface and deliver better patient comfort. The heat helps tighten existing collagen and stimulate the formation of new collagen, which reduces sagging, renews contours, and improves the smoothness and texture of the skin's surface. The radiofrequency energy tightens the collagen in the skin, thereby filling out wrinkles and fine lines. The system also targets all three layers of facial skin with the goal of keeping the skin rejuvenated and strong for years.

How is thermage technology different from other skin tightening procedures?

Unlike some other procedures, Thermage involves no surgery, no injections and little to no downtime, and Thermage works on all skin colors - on and off the face. While laser treatments and other radiofrequency procedures also tighten skin, no other treatment heats as deeply as Thermage. By heating the innermost layers of skin, Thermage is most effective at tightening collagen and stimulating the formation of new collagen, which results in tighter skin and an overall younger looking appearance.

How do thermage results compare with those of other skin tightening treatments?

Some people want the dramatic results of surgery. Others want the more subtle, gradual results of a non-invasive treatment with no downtime. This is where Thermage succeeds, delivering improved skin tone, texture and tightness. When lotions and potions are not enough and surgery is too much, Thermage is a safe, effective solution.

When do the thermage treatment results appear and how long do they last?

Visible results may appear over time in the course of your body's natural collagen rebuilding process. For most clients, measurable tightening and contouring appear gradually in the two to six months following a single treatment session. Results can last for years depending on your skin condition and ageing process.

What does the thermage procedure feel like?

Each time the treatment device touches your skin, you'll feel a brief cooling sensation, followed by a deep but brief heating sensation, followed by another cooling sensation. The heating sensation is a sign that the deep layers of your skin are reaching effective temperatures for tightening. Throughout the procedure, the doctor will ask for feedback on the level of heat sensation to help balance your comfort with maximum results.

Is thermage treatment safe?

Thermage is an extremely safe procedure. There is usually little or no pain involved. Since Thermage is totally non-surgical and non-invasive, there is basically no recovery time or after care involved besides the basic skin maintenance and sunscreens as part of the regular skincare regimen. You are able to return to normal activities almost immediately after treatment. Any side effects associated with Thermage are rare, minor and generally temporary in nature that clears up in about 24 hours.