RADIO FREQUENCY / THERMAGE

Thermage CPT

I was bothered by the sagging of my face and did not want a face lift. I wanted something that would look natural, have no recovery time, and not involve surgery.

This procedure was the perfect fit for me. Not only did I get immediate results, but my face continued to lift and tighten. Best of all, it was so gradual and natural it didn't really feel like I did anything "cosmetic." I am thrilled. My face looks so much better after Thermage. I can easily see the difference in the mirror.

I like having my cheek bones back!
— Karyn, 46

Who Is It For

The Thermage CPT procedure is an FDA approved method for tightening skin and for smoothing wrinkles. This cosmetic procedure does not require invasive surgery, chemicals, needles, or lasers. Ideal candidates for Thermage CPT have mild to moderate facial laxity. The Thermage CPT procedure can also be used to treat patients who have areas of skin that are still loose after a surgical facelift.

The term "CPT" stands for "Comfort Pulse Technology." With this technology, Thermage has become a much more comfortable and much more effective procedure for skin tightening. There are two ways in which Thermage CPT improves patient comfort. First, instead of one continuous unbroken pulse, the CPT technology breaks up the Thermage pulse into a series of micro-pulses. Second, the CPT technology delivers the Thermage pulses with vibration. The vibration reduces the sensation of heating, which also leads to improved patient comfort.

The greatly enhanced patient comfort allows us to make many more passes over the tissues. Depending on the area being treated, we now make 8-12 passes over the tissues with Thermage CPT instead of the 4-5 passes that we used to make with the earlier generation of Thermage. As a result, Thermage CPT treatments are not only much more comfortable for our patients but also much more effective than the earlier generations of Thermage.

The Thermage CPT procedure is very safe. We have been performing Thermage since 2003, and we have gained extensive experience with this treatment. In our office, Dr. Anterasian has performed over 800 Thermage procedures with consistently excellent results. We are very pleased with the results that we have achieved with Thermage, and our patients have truly enjoyed the cosmetic enhancement the procedure provides.

In many physician offices a nurse performs this procedure. However in our practice, only board-certified physicians perform this procedure.

How It Works

The treatment tip simultaneously heats and cools the skin. It emits radio frequency energy to heat the collagen in the deeper layers of the skin while simultaneously protecting the top layers of the skin with a cooling spray. With the upgraded Thermage CPT, the heating profile has been enhanced to provide very even and uniform heating of the tissues. It is this enhanced heating profile combined with the increase in the number of passes that is responsible for the improved effectiveness of Thermage CPT over earlier generations of Thermage.

The heating action causes the collagen in the deeper layers of the skin to tighten immediately. In addition, it stimulates new collagen production, which further enhances the result. This new collagen is laid down over the next several months. The final result is visible approximately four months after the procedure.

Results

The combined action of the immediate tightening of collagen and the production of new collagen results in a tighter skin and a more youthful appearance. Because improvement occurs at the fundamental level of collagen contraction and new collagen formation, the results are long lasting and should persist for years. The optimum result is generally achieved approximately four months following the procedure. At that time, if a patient wishes, the procedure can be repeated to further improve the result.

Any man or woman who is interested in a non-surgical approach to facial skin tightening is invited to call our office and make an appointment with either Dr. Anterasian or Dr. Amerian.

Still Not Sure? — Read our Q & A

  1. What does the Thermage CPT procedure do?

    The Thermage CPT procedure is used to smooth wrinkles and to tighten and lift the skin of the face without surgery, chemicals, or needles. Thermage CPT is also used to tighten loose skin on the neck, eyelids, abdomen, and body.

  2. Is the Thermage CPT procedure approved by the FDA?

    Yes. Thermage CPT is FDA approved for the non-surgical treatment of wrinkles.

  3. Who performs the Thermage CPT procedure?

    Unlike many other offices, in our office the Thermage CPT procedures on the face, neck, eyelids, and abdomen are performed entirely by board certified and highly experienced physicians, not a nurse. When Thermage CPT is performed on other areas of the body, a physician may complete the entire procedure or a physician and nurse may work together as a team to complete the procedure.

  4. What is a multiple pass Thermage CPT procedure?

    Physicians have learned that making multiple passes over the skin during one treatment session using more comfortable energy levels gives a much better cosmetic result than treating the tissues only one time at higher and more painful energy levels. Depending on the area being treated, the Thermage CPT enables us to make eight to twelve passes over the tissues instead of the four or five passes that we used to make with the original Thermage. This is a major advance in Thermage treatment. For this reason, Thermage CPT procedures are much more effective than the original Thermage procedure.

  5. Is the Thermage procedure performed the same way in every office?

    No. Some other offices make only three or four passes with the Thermage, and deliver far fewer Thermage pulses; these treatments are less effective. Our office does not recommend or perform these less effective Thermage treatments. Also, in many offices the procedure is performed entirely by a nurse. In our office, only board certified experienced physicians perform the Thermage CPT procedure.

  6. Can I see before and after pictures of patients who have had a Thermage procedure?

    We have been quite pleased with our results from Thermage CPT. We are proud to show results from our patients who have had Thermage, in order to demonstrate the kind of improvement that Thermage can give in skin and facial rejuvenation. These before and after photographs are available for viewing on the Thermage CPT web page.

  7. How long before I can return to my normal activities?

    Patients return to their regular activities immediately after leaving the office following their Thermage CPT procedure. The Thermage is truly a no downtime procedure.

  8. Is the Thermage CPT procedure safe?

    The Thermage procedure is performed around the world and has an excellent safety record. The most frequently reported side effects are swelling and redness in or near the treated area. These side effects have nearly always disappeared within a few days. We have performed nearly eight hundred Thermage procedures in our office, and our physicians have obtained consistently excellent results from Thermage.

  9. How many treatments will I need?

    Every Thermage procedure is complete unto itself, and most patients will have noticeable improvement after a single treatment. If a patient wishes, additional improvement can be obtained by repeating the Thermage CPT procedure once or twice more at four to six month intervals.


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Last modified: January 10 2013