You should love every aspect of your appearance when you look in the mirror. But if you’re like many of us, then your attention might be drawn to all the places that you want to fix every time you catch your reflection. Don’t let the early signs of aging get you down! At Adoro Medical Spa in Severna Park, MD we specialize in Thermage, a revolutionary all-in-one treatment that can be tailored to treat all of your skin concerns.
What Is Thermage?
This is a non-surgical and non-invasive cosmetic treatment that is used to lift and tighten skin. This innovative treatment is FDA-approved radiofrequency therapy that can be used on virtually any area of concern on the face and body.
Overall, this is a treatment that can be used to address almost every problem you might have with the appearance of your skin. Thermage treatment, and others like it, are a less painful and less invasive alternative to traditional lift surgeries.
Many patients choose radiofrequency treatments over other cosmetic procedures for the sake of comfort, but also because these treatments are just as effective. How can radiofrequency be as effective as surgery? We’ll explain.
How Does It Work?
Like other radiofrequency therapies, this treatment uses a small amount of heat to stimulate the production of special proteins beneath the surface of the skin. Proteins like collagen and elastin are associated with a youthful appearance because these proteins are responsible for high skin volume.
As we age, the production of these proteins slows, and our skin loses volume, making it appear lax and leaving room for wrinkles to form. The heat in radiofrequency treatments stimulates blood flow for the production of new collagen and elastin.
As these proteins produce at a quicker rate, the skin regains lost volume and you get to enjoy a more youthful appearance. Radiofrequency treatments help the body utilize its own regenerative abilities, which can halt aging in its tracks for several years at a time.
Benefits of Thermage
Many anti-aging treatments make a lot of promises that they can’t keep. How often have you been taken in by a guarantee of younger-looking skin when you use a certain over-the-counter anti-aging system?
Most of us know exactly how ineffectual those products are – but Thermage is truly different. Aside from being an innovative radiofrequency treatment, there are many other benefits for this treatment that make it different from anything you’ve ever tried in the past.
Treat Multiple Areas
This treatment is special in many ways, but one of the more impressive benefits is the fact that it can be used in multiple areas of the body. Similar treatments are usually only used to treat the face or the body.
This treatment can address many skin concerns for the face by:
- Softening fine lines and wrinkles, like expression lines and crow’s feet
- Lifting the brows and jawline
- Tightening the upper neck and chin
- Reducing acne scars and dark spots
- Smoothing skin texture
- Improving acne
- Sculpting the fats in the face and neck
This treatment can also be used to address problem areas on the body by:
- Reducing laxity in the tummy, arms, and thighs
- Reducing cellulite in buttocks, hips, and thighs
- Reducing the appearance of scars
- Sculpting the tummy, arms, thighs, and buttocks
- Lifting and tightening skin, including the collarbone and breast
We are happy to answer any questions you might have about using this treatment in multiple areas of the body.
A Single Treatment
This treatment is incredibly effective. Unlike some other radiofrequency treatments, it usually only takes one session from this treatment to produce the desired results on any area of the body.
Depending on the condition of the area being treated or the number of treatment sites that are part of your treatment plan, you may have another additional session to produce the desired result. Although rare, our experts will determine if a second treatment is necessary for your specific needs.
Non-Invasive Treatment
A huge benefit of this treatment is the fact that it is completely non-invasive. The device used for this treatment merely glides over skin, so there are no needles or incisions necessary for the treatment to work. This is an important benefit for patients who dislike needles, do not want any type of invasive treatment, or who are not qualified for minimally invasive or surgical treatments.
Because this treatment is non-invasive, it is also safe for all skin types and skin tones. There are some laser treatments that can only be used safely on certain types and tones of skin. The beauty of this radiofrequency treatment is that it can be used on everyone.
Treatment With No Downtime
Many cosmetic treatments require some amount of downtime. With this treatment, you simply stop in for your 60- to 90-minute appointment and then go back to living your life. There are very few restrictions to follow post-treatment and very few side effects from the treatment. Many patients immediately return to their normal daily activities within hours of the treatment.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Treatment
Many patients are curious to know about every step of the treatment process. From start to finish, there are a few important things you should be aware of if you are considering this treatment. If you have any questions about any of the treatment steps, please ask our staff at any time.
Initial Consultation
Your initial consultation will be done at one of our offices in Severna Park, Annapolis, or Columbia, MD. The most important part of the consultation is discussing your exact aesthetic goals for both the face and body.
Our expert staff will examine the condition of your skin, particularly any trouble areas that you point out. We will pay close attention to the laxity of your skin, as well as any areas of concern, to determine if this treatment is suited to your needs.
We may need to gather your general medical history, any medications or supplements you are currently taking, and information about the type of cosmetic treatments you have had in the past if any. Depending on the targeted treatment areas, this information will be used to screen your health to determine if this is will be a safe and effective treatment option for you.
Treatment Session
On the day of your appointment, you will be asked to wear comfortable, loose clothing and to pull hair away from the face. You will also be asked to remove all jewelry and make-up before the treatment begins. For body treatments, we may ask that you change into a gown.
Step One: Cleanse
We will cleanse the treatment areas with a gentle soap to remove any excess dirt, oil, or make-up from the skin surface. It is important that the skin be a clean canvas for the treatment to be delivered precisely and effectively.
Step Two: Grid
We will apply a grid to your skin before the treatment begins. This grid is applied to guide the treatment so all areas of the skin receive the right amount of attention. The grid itself is a temporary ink that will be removed after treatment is complete.
Step Three: Coupling Fluid
This treatment does not require the use of any local anesthetics or pain relievers. However, we do use something called a coupling fluid which helps conduct the energy between the radiofrequency device and the skin.
Step Four: Treatment
The radiofrequency device will glide smoothly over your skin during your treatment. The device delivers both the radiofrequency energy and a cooling spray that keeps the outer layers of skin comfortable for the duration of the treatment. Many patients feel a sensation, such as mild heat or warmth on the skin, during the treatment.
Step Five: Finish
Your treatment will take 60 to 90 minutes to complete depending on the areas being treated. After the treatment is finished, we will cleanse your skin to remove the temporary ink. We may apply moisturizer or topical ointment to soothe your skin after the treatment.
Post-Treatment Guidelines
We may give you a few instructions to follow the treatment. Typically, these guidelines are only followed for a few hours or days after treatment, as the skin will be more sensitive than usual. Some post-treatment guidelines may include:
- Avoid sun exposure
- Wear sunscreen
- Avoid excess heat or sweating
- Do not wear make-up for 24 hours
- Moisturize skin
Recovery
There is no downtime for this treatment. Aside from following the post-treatment guidelines, most patients are able to return to normal daily activities immediately following the treatment. You may experience some temporary redness or tightness, but this fades within 24 hours following treatment. Patients of this treatment are fully recovered within 1 or 2 days following treatment.
Results
Some patients notice subtle results following the treatment in as little as 2 to 4 weeks. Results will be most obvious between 2 and 6 months because this type of treatment requires time to rebuild the production of collagen within the skin.
You will be asked for a follow up about 3 months after your session to assess how well you are responding to the treatment. It is possible you might require another session to achieve the desired appearance results.
How Long Does Thermage Last?
Clinical studies for this treatment indicate that it can last for several years with the annual maintenance sessions. Thermage treatment lasts about 6 to 9 months at a time. We usually recommend having one to two treatment sessions a year to maintain desired results.
Who Are Ideal Candidates?
Ideal candidates for this treatment include anyone who isn’t totally satisfied with their appearance. This treatment addresses both anti-aging and contouring concerns, along with other skin issues. The best candidates are those who are at an ideal weight and have a healthy lifestyle so that all treatment benefits can be maximized. You might be an ideal candidate if you want to:
- Smooth out fine lines and wrinkles
- Tighten and lift skin on the face and body
- Reduce the appearance of dark spots and acne scars
- Sculpt or contour the jaw, tummy, or buttocks
There are very few restrictions that disqualify candidates for this treatment. We will do a basic health screening at your first appointment to determine if this treatment is right for your specific needs.
Feel Confident in Yourself With Thermage!
It’s time to start loving the way you look when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. If you think that Thermage might be the right treatment for you, contact Adoro Medical Spa led by Dr. Pacheco in Severna Park, MD to schedule your first appointment! We look forward to the opportunity to help you reach your appearance goals so you can love the way you look again!
