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It is well
known that surgical facelifts pose a variety of health risks,
including excessive bruising, nerve damage, swelling, infection,
scarring, and even hair loss. Even with all the risks there's no
guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the results.
Now a new alternative to traditional facelifts, called Thermage
(also known as ThermaCool). Not nearly as risky as a surgical
facelift, it is quick, noninvasive, and best of all very
effective. Thermage delivers radio frequency energy to the deep
layers of the skin to treat wrinkles, jowls, lines, folds, and
creases on the face and around the eyes. In fact Thermage has been
so successful in treating these areas that researchers are looking
to expand its use to the breasts, arms, abdomen, buttocks, and
knees.
Collagen, found in the dermis, the innermost, living, layer of
skin, is the major structural protein of skin, giving it strength.
As you age, collagen starts to break down, causing lines,
wrinkles, and sagging skin to appear. Simply stated, Thermage uses
radio frequency waves to heat the collagen in the dermis, thereby
causing the denaturation of some of the collagen fibrils,
ultimately promoting the formation of new, firmer collagen fibers.
This results in smoother, tighter, healthier-looking skin. After a
single treatment, most women see results beginning immediately
with continuing improvement noticed over the next 6 months as the
collagen remodels itself. Results can last for five years or
longer, depending on your body's natural aging process and
metabolic rate. Does it sound too good to be true? Well it looks
like this time we've got something that produces results. Noted
preventive medicine and clinical nutrition authority, Susan Lark,
MD, states, "Thermage is so promising, that I wouldn't be
surprised if it became the facelift of choice for the new
millennium."
With each touch of the ThermaCool tightening tool, you'll feel a
hot-warm tingling sensation immediately followed by the soothing
cool sensation from the 'CRYOGEN TIP', protecting your skin and
keeping you as comfortable as possible throughout the treatment.
Your doctor may pre-medicate you if clinically necessary.
Typically the treatment can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2
hours depending on how much of your skin is being treated.
Amazingly, there's little or no recovery time, no bruising,
scarring, or bleeding. Very few women have experienced any
negative reactions.
The most common reactions are minor temporary redness or minor
swelling. According to an article by Dr. Lark, "In very, very rare
cases, less than 0.2% of women, a depression in the skin has
occurred. But for the majority of women, Thermage is safe and has
so few side effects that you can return to your normal daily
activities immediately."
Most people are happy with their results. The procedure is safe
and more widely embraced by the medical community since its
introduction 4 years ago. Keep in mind that factors such as age,
skin type, smoking, and other health and lifestyle habits, can
increase the number of treatments needed to achieve desired
results. Choose a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon with a staff
who are qualified and experienced in the procedure.
Consult with your clinician/dermatologist, discuss your
expectations with them. Be realistic with your expectations. What
Thermage does offer is a more beautiful, rejuvenated you, an
unbelievably natural, subtle facelift and skin tightening; all
without the risks of surgery. Call for a consultation (727)
528-0321. Carol Sims-Robertson, MD, practicing dermatologist,
owner- Divine Dermatology.4800 4th Street N., Saint Petersburg.
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