Thermage™

Skin resurfacing is a terrific procedure to improve fine wrinkles on the skin. Usually someone that only has fine wrinkles would need a fractional procedure in order to accomplish this tightening. It can be done in isolation or with other procedures like Thermage, Microdermabrasion or Chemical Peels.

A complete evaluation is necessary in order to have the best method for improvement of one's neck. In general there are a few different options:

Thermage is a terrific procedure for tightening the neck without down time using radio waves.

It is a procedure that can be done without medications. It takes about 1 hour and the tightening progresses over a period of 6 months time.

If the problem is one of fatty tissue underneath the chin area, liposuction can be performed either in isolation or with Thermage or with a facelift.

If the problem is more of laxity of the muscle and skin - called the "platysma" then a facelift can be performed, whether a full facelift or a Quicklift which is a faster procedure but can give the same results as a traditional facelift.

Recently, I was asked by a new patient: I had Thermage about a year ago. Had good results. The procedure was painful!!! Also very costly. Is Refirme as costly, and how long do the results last?  Should I go with Refirme over Thermage next time?  Thanks for your information.

I think this is a terrific question. At ACCENTS in Sterling Heights, Michigan we offer both technologies - Thermage and Syneron's Refirme. The most important thing for a client to understand is that these skin tightening procedures are not surgery and one should not expect a surgical outcome.

I am sorry to learn that your treatment was painful. It does not have to be this way. You can get very nice results without pain. The newest tips for Thermage allow tightening without having extreme discomfort - and you can still obtain tightening through one treatment.  (An advantage over ReFirme - which requires several treatments for optimal results.)

However, ReFirme treatments can be easily and comfortably combined with other treatments. For example, if a patient wishes tightening and has some browns and reds on the skin that they wish to diminish, this is a terrific treatment. More treatments are necessary to achieve equal tightening with Refirme. I find a series of 5 to be of most benefit.

Another advantage ReFirme has over Thermage is that patients are not given medications to relax them during the procedure.  Medication simply is not needed by patients who chose Refirme. Thus, Refirme patients can drive themselves home; a major benefit for many.

Both treatments are progressive; where we see measurable improvements for up to 6 months after treatments. We have very happy patients with both treatments. Like yourself, we have many patients who have come back annually for repeat Thermage treatments. Clients see this as maintenance and as a method to hold off from surgery.