Released in 2002, Thermage is a safe, non-invasive cosmetic procedure that is clinically proven to tighten, contour and rejuvenate the skin. Thermage helps to naturally restore a more youthful appearance.  In 2007, Thermage offered a new technology that contours the body and may help to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

Thermage utilizes a unique form of Capacitive Radiofrequency (CRF) technology to tighten existing collagen and stimulate new natural collagen production.  The procedure works by heating deep collagen fibers in the skin and underlying tissue, while protecting the skin's surface with a cooling spray. A handheld device briefly touches the skin, delivering energy deep beneath the skin.  This deep uniform heating action causes the deep structures in the skin and underlying tissue to immediately tighten.  Over time, new and remodeled collagen is produced to further tighten skin and renew facial contours.

Immediate results are visible and continue to improve for up to six months.  The Thermage procedure is fast and easy, and requires no downtime from normal activities.  Unlike lasers, the procedure can be performed on patients of all skin colors.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

GENERAL QUESTIONS

How do I know if Thermage is right for me?
After you have had the opportunity to review the wealth of materials on our website, we recommend you explore the available treatment options further with us during a free consultation.  At that time, we will discuss your current situation, your goals and expectations, and develop an individualized plan designed to achieve optimal results for you.  By the end of the consultation, we will develop a specific price quote, and we can apply for any financing options that you may be qualified for while you wait.

Many of our patients travel a long distance to visit us or are unable to find time in their busy schedules to come in for a consultation. We are happy to accommodate these situations by conducting the majority of your consultation by phone and e-mail (a “virtual consultation”).  It is particularly helpful if you can send us photographs of the area(s) you wish to treat.  We will then conduct an abbreviated in-person consultation the day of your procedure to address any issues or concerns that we were not able to address prior.

To what parts of the body can the Thermage procedure be applied?
Thermage is safe to use on the whole face, including the eyelids and all parts of the body, including abdomen, legs, arms and buttocks.  Thermage’s newest tightening technologies include a tip designed specifically to smooth crepey eyelids, another to treat the aging but delicate skin on the hands, another specialized tip to diminish the small lines above the lip, and the most recent to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

How long does the Thermage procedure take?
Depending on the size of the area to be treated, the procedure may take as little as 20 minutes or up to two hours.

How many Thermage treatments will I need?
Unlike many laser procedures requiring four or more sessions, a single Thermage treatment produces results in the majority of patients.  The treating doctor will determine the course of treatment that is right for each patient, based on the patient's needs and goals.

What does the Thermage procedure feel like?
With each touch of the ThermaTip device, the patient experiences a brief, deep heating sensation as the energy is delivered to the skin and underlying tissue.  This deep heating sensation is an indication that collagen is reaching effective temperatures for tightening.  To protect the skin and make the treatment more comfortable, the surface of the skin is cooled before, during, and after each application of CRF energy.  Patient feedback on the level of heat sensation experienced during the procedure will help guide the doctor to balance procedural comfort with maximum results.  The doctor may offer light pain medications prior to treatment to minimize sensation. These options should be discussed directly with the doctor as each patient's needs vary.

Has Thermage been approved by the FDA?
Yes. Thermage has been FDA approved for the face since January 2004.  The use of Thermage for lines around the eyes was FDA approved in June 2006 and for body contouring in January 2006.  The Thermage procedure is a completely non-invasive, safe treatment that is performed only in a doctor's office.

BENEFITS OF THERMAGE

What can Thermage do for me?
Thermage is clinically proven to tighten, contour and rejuvenate the skin, and can help naturally restore a more youthful appearance.  Thermage is safe to use on the all parts of the body, including abdomen, legs, arms, buttocks, hands, and the whole face, including the eyelids and lips.  Thermage offers specialized technologies designed specifically to smooth crepey eyelids, to treat the aging but delicate skin on the hands, and to diminish the small lines above the lip.  In 2007, Thermage offered a new technology that contours the body and may help to reduce the appearance of cellulite.

How soon can I expect to see results from Thermage?
Immediate results are visible, and improve over time.  Measurable tightening and contouring improvements appear gradually over a two to six month time period following a single treatment session.

How long will the results last?
The Thermage procedure immediately tightens existing collagen and stimulates new natural collagen production for up to six months following the treatment.  Unpublished reports by experienced cosmetic doctors indicate that results may last for years and are based on the patient's natural aging process.

Can Thermage be combined with other procedures?
Yes!  The two most popular combinations are to combine Thermage with SmartLipo or to combine Thermage with TotalFX.

SmartLipo is a revolutionary and minimally invasive body sculpting procedure that uses a high-powered laser to remove fat while tightening the skin.  The SmartLipo procedure does not require general anesthesia; the procedure is performed under local anesthesia.  A small, 2 mm circular incision is made, and the laser goes under the skin to liquefy the fat cells while also sealing the tiny blood vessels around the fat and stimulating new collagen production, which tightens the skin.  After the fat is liquefied, it is removed with power-assisted suction.  The combined effects of the laser achieve in smoother results, less bruising and bleeding, less downtime and fewer side effects than traditional liposuction.

The combination of SmartLipo with Thermage is particularly effective for patients with some existing loose skin who are also looking to remove fat to achieve superior body sculpting.  We frequently use Thermage and SmartLipo together to achieve truly wonderful results. Click here to read more about SmartLipo .

TotalFX is another single-session procedure, which utilizes Ultra Pulse CO2 laser energy to treat fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, and sun damage.  TotalFX technology works by applying CO2 laser energy in a narrow, scanned beam.  This creates tiny columns of thermal damage that penetrate deep into the dermis and stimulate the growth of new collagen. The energy is applied in a "fractional" way so that untouched tissue surrounds each of the tiny columns of thermal damage, accelerating the healing process.

Dr. Clinton is the first physician in the country to pioneer the combination of TotalFX with Thermage in a single session.  Dr. Clinton believes that the combination of TotalFX and Thermage in a single treatment has a synergistic effect, such the combination treatment produces better results than could be achieved through having each procedure done separately.

SAFETY

Are there any special concerns for patients with darker skin?
No! Thermage can be performed on patients of all skin colors.

Is the Thermage procedure safe?
The Thermage procedure has an excellent safety record. With over 190,000 estimated worldwide patient treatments to date the reported incidence of side effects is less than 0.4%.  The most frequently reported incidents are classified as swelling, redness, bumps, and blisters on or around the treated area.  These side effects have disappeared in a few days or weeks.  A rare (<0.11%) but longer-lasting side effect described as a “surface irregularity” has also been reported.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROVIDER

What should I look for in a Thermage provider?
You should seek an experienced provider with a good track record who is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.  Like most cosmetic procedures, Thermage involves a high degree of artistry and skill. Thermage is performed by our highly qualified aestheticians who have trained with Dr. Clinton in over 100 cases and now performed hundreds of cases themselves.  Always ask for “before-and-after” photographs of the provider’s actual patients, and for patient testimonials.  Click here to review the Coressence B&A Gallery.

Does Thermage require special training?
The manufacturer provides doctors and their staff initial training, and frequently holds special training sessions when new tips are released. 

Why should I choose Coressence over another provider?
Like most cosmetic procedures, there is also a high degree of skill and artistry that sets apart an excellent provider from an average one.  At Coressence, we take great pride in taking his time to achieve natural-looking results that reflect the aesthetic desires of each patient.  The testimonials and “before-and-after” pictures of our actual patients bear this out.  It is also important that your Thermage provider be able to give realistic expectations regarding what can and cannot be achieved through Thermage.  Clients at Coressence can feel comfortable that they will know what to expect, and will rarely be disappointed with their results.

How many Thermage procedures have you performed at Coressence?
We have performed over 200 Thermage procedures on the face and various parts of the body.

ALTERNATIVES TO THERMAGE

What are the alternatives to Thermage?
Thermage for the face is a subtle skin rejuvenation with tightening. There are other non-invasive tightening systems on the market.  Coressence is dedicated to Enhancing Your Beauty through Innovation, which means that we are constantly researching and testing new technologies.  We have not found any alternatives to Thermage that achieve comparable results. 

Clients that are looking for a dramatic lift may consider surgical face lifts as an alternative, although such procedures are more invasive.  Most patients looking for tightening on the abdomen, thighs and arms will find great results with Thermage, but those with very severe loose skin may achieve better results through surgery.  To develop an individualized plan that is designed to address your unique circumstances and goals, schedule a free consultation with our medical staff.  If the best treatment for you is something that we do not perform at Coressence (e.g., tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), we can often recommend a talented physician to give you the treatment we need.  We are very selective in our recommendations, so you can be assured that we will only send you to those physicians whom we believe to match our high standards for excellence and quality of care.

How does Thermage compare to other procedures that use radiofrequency energy?
While there are other skin care technologies that use radiofrequency energy, only the Thermage proprietary capacitive radiofrequency technology delivers deep uniform volumetric heating powerful enough to naturally tighten and contour skin and underlying tissue.  Also, Thermage achieves results in a single treatment compared to other technologies requiring five or more treatment sessions.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE AND AFTER

How do I begin the process to get Thermage?
Contact us!  You can call us at (910) 321-0079 or click here to reach us via our website.  We will conduct a consultation with you and will discuss your current situation, your goals and expectations, and develop an individualized plan designed to achieve optimal results for you.  By the end of the consultation, we will develop a specific price quote, and we can apply for any financing options that you may be qualified for while you wait.

Many of our patients travel a long distance to visit us or are unable to find time in their busy schedules to come in for a face-to-face consultation. We are happy to accommodate these situations by conducting the majority of your consultation by phone and e-mail.  It is particularly helpful if you can send us photographs of the area(s) you wish to treat.  We will then conduct an abbreviated in-person consultation the day of your procedure to address any issues or concerns that we were not able to address prior.

Is there any special preparation or follow-up regime?
No.  Unlike surgery, there is no pre-procedure preparation, such as blood work or fasting required.  One can return to regular activities immediately following treatment and there is no special care after treatment.  Some patients exhibit a temporary redness or minor swelling after treatment, this usually resolves within 24 hours. Good skin care and sunscreens are recommended as part of your regular skin care regimen. The only signs of treatment are naturally smoother, younger, and healthier skin.

What do you recommend for patients traveling from out of town?
We have many patients who travel from out of town. We are happy to assist you in making hotel and travel arrangements.  We also work with an excellent car service, and are happy to schedule door-to-door service for you upon request, and at your expense.  We strongly recommend that clients have someone with them if they are staying the night, although this is not absolutely necessary.  Clients will be provided Dr. Clinton’s cell and home phone numbers if any issues should arise.

PRIVACY CONSIDERATIONS

COSTS & FINANCING

Is Thermage covered by insurance?
Thermage is considered a cosmetic procedure and under most circumstances will not be covered by your health insurance.

What is the cost of Thermage?
Thermage ranges from $3200 to $4800 for different areas of the body. The eyes start at just $500.  During your free consultation, we will discuss your current situation, your goals and expectations, and develop an individualized plan designed to achieve optimal results for you.  By the end of the consultation, we will develop a price quote, and we can apply for any financing options that you may be qualified for while you wait.