Dear Dr. Seckel, I am considering getting a Thermage skin tightening treatment. What results and risks can I expect with this procedure? I am hoping to correct sagging mouth, chin and jaw area, the jowls mainly. I am also wondering if it may help with slight upper eyelid drooping, eyelid aging such as eyelid bags and dark circles under the eyes? Thank you, Rinee, Los Angeles, CA
Dear Rinee,
Thermage is one of several skin tightening procedures that are offered
today, others are the LuxIR by Palomar, Titan by Cutera, and Aluma with FACES by Lumenis.
It is important to understand that these new technologies at best achieve a 30% tightening of the facial skin, which is subtle, and often requires a pre and post photograph to see the results. A traditional face lift and blepharoplasty surgery provides a much more impressive, corrective facial rejuvenation result. Skin tightening is not, as advertised, a non-surgical face lift.
Eyelid rejuvenation, the correction of bags and dark circles under the eyes requires a procedure called arcus marginalis release and fat grafting, which I do as part of a transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty. Upper blepharoplasty is required for correction of upper eyelid hooding. This procedure is done through an incision on the inside of the eyelid, which avoids a visible scar and change in eyelid shape.
I do not feel these machines should be used on the upper eyelid as I am concerned about danger to the eye.
I have written a great deal about these techniques and you should check my previous blogs about Aluma and LuxIR.
For more information on skin tightening and non-surgical facial rejuvenation read Save Your Face or contact me.
Thank you,
Boston, Massachusetts