Ready or not, the visible signs of aging will show up on your skin sooner or later – and one of the most frustrating signs is skin laxity caused by gradual collagen depletion. Treating skin laxity can be challenging because topical products don’t penetrate the skin deeply enough to correct collagen loss. Fortunately, at Gold Skin Care Center in Nashville, TN, we know that non-surgical treatments like Thermage are the best solution for tightening and toning your skin.
What Is Thermage and How Much Does It Cost?
Thermage is an energy-based non-surgical skin tightening treatment that is used to correct sagging, loose skin on the body, and skin laxity on the face. This treatment is powerful enough that most people can achieve their desired results within as little as one to two treatments. Right now, this treatment is considered the number one alternative to a traditional surgical facelift.
One thing patients most want to know about this treatment is the overall cost. So, how much can you expect to pay for your treatment sessions? The range for a single treatment is between $1000 and $5000 based on the size of the treatment area. While this may seem like a steep price initially, it’s only a fraction of the cost of a traditional facelift, which can cost $10,000 just by itself! In a very practical way, not only is Thermage more comfortable for you – but it’s also more comfortable for your wallet.
What Can This Treatment Help With?
The goal of this revolutionary treatment is to tighten your skin. A skin tightening treatment lifts and restores skin suppleness by increasing collagen production deep within the sub-dermal layers of your skin. One of the best things about this particular non-surgical treatment is that it can treat both the face and the body. The most common areas of treatment include:
- Mid-face
- Eye area
- Neck
- Arms
- Stomach
- Hands
- Thighs
- Buttocks
Why Is This Treatment So Popular?
So, why is this treatment so popular? Aside from being the preferred treatment for celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and having an incredibly versatile use, there are a few reasons why this treatment is so wildly popular among patients. The biggest benefit is the fact that this treatment is non-surgical and non-invasive, which automatically translates to being a simple treatment that involves no scarring risks and no need for extensive downtime to recover.
The treatment itself is also very comfortable, which is something facelifts and plastic surgery procedures can’t claim. This particular treatment uses a thermal output that will feel similar to a hot stone massage and is considered very tolerable. In fact, you won’t even need a topical anesthetic for this treatment.
How Does This Treatment Work?
The key to this treatment is the advanced radiofrequency technology used to tighten your skin. The monopolar radiofrequency technology includes a heating mechanism that will seep into the sub-dermal layers of your skin to stimulate the production of new collagen to increase skin tightness. The unique heating pattern of this device will prompt your skin to tighten, tone, and lift over several weeks.
Why Radiofrequency Is So Effective?
Radiofrequency technology is considered one of the golden standards of contemporary aesthetic treatments and with the results this technology can accomplish, it’s easy to see why. Radiofrequency technology generates thermal energy that increases blood flow in the sub-dermal layers of your skin; with increased blood flow, your body will begin its natural restorative processes, including the production of supportive skin proteins like collagen and elastin.
When Can You See Results?
It will take some time for your results to become visible. This is because building new collagen is a process that can take several weeks to months, particularly because collagen maturation may require up to four to six months to be complete. However, the existing collagen in your skin will tighten up, so it’s possible that you will see a marked improvement in your appearance within as little as four to six weeks.
Sometimes your age may factor into how quickly you will see your results since older people will have to build more new collagen, while younger people may see faster results since they have more existing collagen.
How Long Do Results Last?
The results of this treatment can last for a couple of years at a time. Because collagen growth happens deep within the sub-dermal layers of the skin, you will be able to enjoy long-lasting results. It will take several months for newly-formed collagen to disappear, so most people can expect results that last well beyond 24 months.
How Should You Maintain Your Results?
While you can expect your results to last for one to two years at a time, there may be some steps you want to take to maintain your results between appointments – particularly for those who are older and committed to fighting the visible signs of aging. Some methods you can use include:
Reduce Sun Exposure
Unprotected exposure to UV rays from the sun is scientifically proven to cause about 80 to 90% of skin aging. Both UVA and UVB rays can create free radicals in skin cells that cause the integrity of your skin to break down more quickly, particularly when it comes to superficial dark spots and collagen depletion. That’s why reducing your overall unprotected exposure to sunlight is so important.
You should always wear SPF during the daytime, even if you plan to be inside. While windows may prevent some UV rays from reaching your skin, UVA rays are not fully blocked by windows and those are the UV rays that are mostly responsible for skin aging. Fair-skinned people may require stronger sunscreen for better protection, usually SPF 40 or higher.
Healthy Lifestyle
Leading a healthy lifestyle can also help you maintain your results. When it comes to a healthy lifestyle, limiting your tobacco and alcohol consumption is key, since the chemicals in these substances can interfere with normal cellular processes and cause proteins in the skin to deplete more easily. Drinking plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated is also essential.
Good Skincare Habits
It’s vital that you have good skincare habits if you want the results of your treatment to last for as long as possible. When we talk about good skincare habits, we’re referring to both your skincare routine and the quality of your skincare products. In terms of your routine, you should wash twice a day, wear sunscreen, and utilize a good moisturizer as your basic steps. You may also want to exfoliate one to two times a week so your skincare products can work better.
In terms of quality skincare products, there are plenty of products that are affordable – the key is finding the products that have the ingredients that work with your skin tone, type, and goals. For anti-aging concerns, you should aim to have products that include ingredients like collagen, hyaluronic acid, retinoids, and niacinamide, all of which can brighten and firm your skin. We can recommend skincare products that are ideal for your skin needs.
Maintenance Schedule
Finally, the best way to maintain your results is to stick to your maintenance schedule. Most patients use this treatment once a year or once every two years. By attending maintenance appointments, you can “top-up” your results and keep your collagen production high so your skin can remain smooth and supple.
Who Are Good Candidates?
Patients over the age of 35 are generally good candidates for this treatment. You should not be pregnant when you have this treatment, but you can have this treatment if you are breastfeeding. Men can also use this treatment to tighten skin on the face or body. A consultation will be able to determine your eligibility based on your medical history and your aesthetic goals.
Refresh Your Appearance With Thermage!
Now isn’t the time to play hide-and-seek with your visible signs of aging. Instead of relying on make-up and topical products to mask your visible aging, you should use an energy-based treatment that will restore your collagen production and tighten your skin effortlessly. If you think Thermage is a good fit for your appearance goals, please contact Gold Skin Care Center in Nashville, TN to schedule your first appointment today.
