Skin Care Review: Thermage

Rating
Good

Benefits
Actually saw results right away, which surprised me.

Drawbacks
The procedure is more painful than many sites would have you believe.

Details
After reading extensively about various noninvasive skin-tightening procedures, I decided to try Thermage. At 52, my main concerns were sagging skin around my mouth, jaw line, and neck. In the pre-appointment interview I asked about the pain I should expect, mentioning that various websites said it didn’t really hurt. The sites said that most people felt “discomfort”, generally in the form of a heat sensation. The provider told me that, in fact, I should be prepared to feel pain, especially when the device went over facial nerves. He said he knew this because he had had the procedure done on himself. When I asked if there were people who would be poor candidates for this procedure, rather than just trying to sell the product, he did say certain people could expect fewer results. I recall specifically he said that he wouldn’t do the procedure on someone who smokes. Smokers’ faces age faster because smoking interferes with blood flow to capillaries and continuing to smoke after the procedure would basically negate the effects of the procedure. When he did do the procedure in the past to smokers, they were unhappy with the overall result. When I arrived for the appointment, the provider spent a very long time with me, discussing the procedure as well as steps I could take to maximize the results. I was told that I might see results right away, but that it is more normal to see results in about 4-6 months. (This involved dietary supplements, increased water intake, and sun protection.) The procedure was in fact quite painful at times, but I was grateful that I had been told beforehand. When the procedure was halfway done, I saw my face in a mirror. I was surprised that I could see an immediate difference between the two sides. I was also surprised at how much the skin around my eyes had tightened up; I didn’t realize how “old” my eye area looked. After the procedure the provider reviewed the procedure and the recommendations for post-procedure skin care, and answered all of my questions. I was told the procedure took about two hours; I got there at 10:30am, and left some time after 2:00pm. I am happy with the immediate results, and look forward hopefully to the next months, during which I anticipate more positive results. If I have this done again, I think I’ll want to take a painkiller, something stronger than Tylenol, aspirin, or ibuprofen. My main regret is that I totally forgot to take before/after pictures.

Conclusions
I would recommend this to people who understand the procedure and its limitations.

Price (paid by reviewer)
approx. $1700

Where to find it