What is Thermage Treatment and How Does it Work?

woman side profile with hand on neck, showcasing a skin tightened jawline

For years, cosmetic treatments were a private affair in Singapore. Those who sought the various treatments kept it to themselves thanks to the conservative nature of most Asians and Singaporeans. Today, things are different, as more people are embracing aesthetic treatments, especially non-invasive ones. It is slowly becoming the norm, and many people don’t mind discussing the various treatment options, and those that they believe are most effective.

Thermage skin tightening treatment is one of the premier, non-invasive aesthetic treatments in Singapore. It involves the use of patented monopolar radiofrequency technology, which heats hidden collagen layers. With no needles and cuttings, the heat produced during treatment gets to the inner layers of the skin and stimulates the body to kickstart the renewed production of collagen. Read more about how Thermage Skin Tightening Treatments can benefit you here.

The reason younger people have firm skin is that their bodies produce large quantities of collagen, a protein responsible for firm skin. Unfortunately, as one gets older, the production of collagen starts declining. This is why older people start developing fine lines, wrinkles, and saggy skin. The slow production of collagen is unavoidable. It is a process that everyone goes through as they get older. This is why anti-aging creams have collagen as a primary ingredient. 

How Thermage Treatment Works

Your facial skin has three layers, the surface, middle and subcutaneous layers. The subcutaneous layer, known as the fat layer or dermis, has plenty of collagen fibers, but most of the collagen is concentrated in the middle layer. As you grow older, the collagen in the skin layers starts breaking down. This breakdown could be due to weight loss, sun exposure, genetics, or habits like smoking. In some cases, the reason behind the slowing collagen production may not be apparent. 

When administering Thermage treatment, the doctor will use a handheld device to transmit radiofrequency energy into the dermis (inner layers of the skin) without damaging the epidermis. As the heat penetrates the internal skin tissues, the collagen fibrils contract, and thicken. This reaction results in the tightening of the layer of skin below the surface. The treatment lasts between 30 and 90 minutes, with no downtime. 

Long-term impact of Thermage Treatment

Over time, the fibril layers heal from the impact of the heat and reshape as new collagen starts to form. This further tightens the skin. This is why some results are visible immediately after the treatment, but the skin gets even better after some time. Although most anti-aging creams contain collagen, none stimulates the skin to produce more collagen. 

The outcome from a single treatment varies from one person the next primarily because one’s aging process and skin condition affect how quickly the treatment works. For some people, a single treatment will leave them with visibly youthful skin for a year or two. Others may need more sessions to get the results that they desire. Some physicians suggest including the Thermage treatment in your annual skincare regimen. 

Thermage treatment can be used on any part of your body, starting to show signs of aging. These include the eyelids, backs of hands, the neck, and the chest. Some parts of the body tighten much faster than others, so the results will vary. Whatever the outcome, there is no doubt that Thermage is a game-changer in the cosmetic industry for skin tightening, mainly among non-invasive treatments. 

Advantages of Thermage Aesthetic Skin Tightening Treatments

woman lying down receiving facial treatment with a machine tool

Aesthetic treatments, particularly Thermage treatments, are increasingly being sought after by Singaporeans. An aging face can have several impacts, including loss of confidence and slowing life opportunities, especially for people whose appearance influences the kind of opportunities they get for career advancement. There is a reason why Thermage Skin Tightening treatments are gaining traction over many people looking for non-invasive ways to slow the aging process. 

Multiple treatment areas 

Thermage treatment is mainly carried on the face, but it can also be done on other parts that show signs of aging. Doing this on multiple surfaces ensures uniformity. Otherwise, it will be counterproductive if you work on your face alone when the back of your hands is still showing signs of aging. You can get Thermage treatment on your jawline, forehead, nasolabial folds, chin area, back of hands, stomach, and the inner thigh area. 

Is suitable for all skin types and tones

One of the stereotypes of aging skin is some skin types age and show signs of aging sooner than others. Often, dry skin is said to develop wrinkles faster than oily skin. The reason for more pronounced wrinkles on dry skin is because genetically, dry skin is thinner, has smaller pores and the skin appears smoother than oily skin. So, when one starts developing fine lines, the change is noticeable. 

Oily skin, on the other hand, has more moisture, has larger pores, and the skin appears thicker. So, when collagen production slows at the same time and at the same pace, a person with dry skin will start showing signs of aging earlier, but this does not mean that people with oily skin are safe from visible signs of aging. It merely takes a long time for age to start showing on the skin. 

Thermage treatment is effective on all skin tones and types, irrespective of the aging phase. It is a treatment that can help those in the initial stages of skin aging or those in the advanced stage. Of course, if your skin has gone for a lot longer without collagen production, the results will take longer than one that recently started showing signs of aging. 

Fast treatment with no downtime

Like other non-invasive treatments, Thermage does not have downtime, and it only takes between 30 minutes to two hours. After the treatment, you can go about your business since the side effects are mild. Some of the expected side effects include swelling and redness of the skin, tingling sensations, and soreness. 

Natural-looking outcome

If you are looking for a treatment that doesn’t shout to the world that you have had some work done, then you should go for Thermage. Since this treatment nudges the body to produce collagen, it may not be natural, but getting the body to do what it is supposed to do for a firm skin is real. So, don’t expect an unnatural tightness. Your skin will simply look as good as it once did before age interfered. 

Fast and long-term results

Once you have had Thermage treatment, you can expect to start seeing changes to your skin even before you leave your doctor’s office. As the body keeps producing more collagen, the skin will become even more radiant, and you will not need additional sessions for this to occur. Of course, your body is still aging, and after some time, collagen production will slow again. However, this usually takes time. Some people can even go for two years without subsequent treatments. 

Although the cost of getting Thermage treatment is still prohibitive for many people, it is a worthwhile investment considering the many benefits.