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Thermage® and Pellevé™ Boston Area Skin TighteningOriginally started as a small company outside of San Francisco, Thermage has blossomed into a company and technique widely respected by the medical community. The doctors at SkinCare Physicians have been central to the development of this exciting new skin tightening technology, and have been involved in many of the clinical trials and research performed to optimize this procedure. They also continue to advise Thermage, and therefore are uniquely qualified to evaluate and treat our patients. Since Thermage is a very operator-dependent procedure, it is essential for patients to be treated with the most up-to-date techniques in order to achieve maximal results. This is what we believe separates SkinCare Physicians from other practices that perform Thermage. Our doctors are the ones who have invented and helped to teach other physicians the many new techniques we use quite successfully with Thermage. Since the approach to treatment and technology are evolving rapidly, SkinCare Physicians is uniquely positioned to allow our patients to quickly take advantage of these advancements. In fact, our doctors have discovered many of the new Thermage advances now used around the world. Pellevé is an exciting technology, similar to Thermage, that is used to tighten skin of the lower eyelids and crows feet. The advantage of Pellevé is that it allows us to produce results that were only achieved previously by surgery. Before & After Photos of Thermage®
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| Full neck and ill defined jaw margin | 6 months after Thermage radiofrequency treatment |
Thermage and Pellevé are novel, safe radio-frequency devices that cause tightening of skin without surgery or injury to the skin's top layer (epidermis). The mechanism of action is related to heat, which tightens collagen.
Deep, intense, uniform, sustained heat in the tissue underneath the surface of the skin will produce contraction of collagen and tightening of loose skin for Boston patients. The ability to tighten skin without surgery is unique to Thermage, and is the central feature that sets Thermage apart from all other technologies.
Pellevé has the unique ability to tighten lower eyelid skin. A series of three painless treatments at monthly intervals are usually required, and recovery is immediate. Pellevé is the only non-invasive way to tighten those annoying small wrinkles around the lower part of the eyes.
Tightening skin in certain key areas can be advantageous for cosmetic improvement. For example, treating the skin of the forehead can lift the eyebrows and enhance the appearance of the eyes, making the eyes look more open, less tired, and more alert. Previously, this result could only be obtained with major surgery or injections of BOTOX® Cosmetic in Boston.
Some of the most exciting and innovative work has been done on other areas of the face, such as the skin of the cheeks, jaw line, and upper neck. They can also be treated to reduce sagging and tighten the skin. Treatment of other areas of the body such as the arms, abdomen and thighs has evolved dramatically over the past few years. We are now able to tighten skin, reduce cellulite, and shrink fat on many areas of the body in less than 2 hours!
Each pulse of the machine produces a sensation of heat in the area. Fortunately, this heat sensation lasts only a fraction of a second. The popular misconception is that Thermage and Pellevé hurt a lot. They do not. Our physicians have developed many new techniques that have virtually eliminated pain with these procedures.
The Thermage procedure itself may take anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated. The visit will take about 2 to 3 hours. Pellevé can be performed in 15 to 20 minutes.
You may continue to use your topical creams and any oral medications up until the time of the procedure. Please avoid wearing jewelry and makeup on the day of your appointment.
There is no "down time". Redness is seen in some patients, but it disappears within a few hours. Swelling, particularly along the jaw line, is often subtle and usually resolves within a few days. Bruising and pain are uncommon after the procedure. There is no special care needed afterwards.
Although some improvement is seen immediately in most patients, results will continue to improve gradually over the next 4 to 6 months. Since the effects are so gradual, the patient may not be aware of the extent of the improvement. Photographic comparison with pre-operative pictures can in some instances demonstrate the difference.
For many patients one Thermage treatment will suffice. Repeat treatments may be needed for others. Pellevé usually requires three treatments.
A decision regarding further treatment can be made as early as one month; however, since benefits are delayed, further treatment usually does not begin for 4-6 months. Most patients repeat treatments every 2 to 4 years. Recent data suggests that treatment at one to two-year intervals can induce profound improvement that is superior to waiting longer.
In some studies the results have lasted over five years, but treatment at 2 to 3 year intervals appears to maximize improvement. Recent data based on research led by SkinCare Physicians confirms that Thermage produces noticeable results in over 94% of patients treated.
It is extremely safe. The number of adverse effects is extraordinarily small, and with the introduction of modified treatment guidelines in 2005 for Thermage, the number of adverse events has dropped to less than 0.1%.
At SkinCare Physicians, our doctors and staff are highly experienced with Thermage, a trusted Boston area skin rejuvenation technology. Get started when you request a consultation online to come visit with us.