Thermal Frax
An Anti-Aging Skin Rejuvenation Plan
Cosmetic dermatologists evaluate multiple skin components when planning a facial anti-aging skin rejuvenation or acne scarring improvement plan:
Skin Quality—is the skin a uniform healthy color, with small pores and without spots and growths?
Skin Quantity—is the skin tight or loose and saggy?
Skin Volume—is the face full where it should be, not where it should not be and tapered where it should be?
Skin Smoothness—is the skin surface smooth or does it have lines, wrinkles or scars?
After the assessment of these components and their relative contribution to the patient's problem, a treatment plan is formulated. A successful anti-aging rejuvenation program often requires that several signs of aging are treated. Because the individual aging changes may be best addressed by different procedures, best results are seen when several different treatments are performed together to provide a complete solution.
A successful anti-aging rejuvenation program often requires that multiple signs of aging are treated. Because the aging changes in our appearance affect diverse qualities of the skin that are best addressed by different procedures, best results are seen when several treatments are performed together.
Therma-Frax or Fraxage Anti-Aging Treatment
One of these combinations is Therma-Frax, sometimes called Fraxage. Therma-Frax is a combination of Thermage non-surgical skin tightening and Fraxel Laser skin resurfacing.
These two aesthetic skin procedures help:
Thermage Cosmetic Tissue Tightening Treatment
Thermage is a non-surgical FDA approved office procedure for tightening skin, with no incisions, surgery or recovery time. The Thermage treatment tip delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy into the deeper layers of skin giving immediate tightening of collagen and underlying tissue followed by gradual skin tightening over time by promoting growth of new collagen.
Fraxel re: store Skin Resurfacing LaserFraxel re: store Laser Treatment improves sun damage, mild to moderate wrinkles, large pores, bumpy skin, pigment problems, and acne scarring. Increases skin smoothness. In addition to the face, the eyelids, neck, chest, hands and all skin types may be treated.
An Effective Anti-Aging Combination
Therma-Frax is usually a single Thermage treatment, followed by 3-5 Fraxel Laser treatments, depending on the degree of wrinkles, scars, and enlarged pores. Therma-Frax benefits appearance by addressing two of the most significant aging changes, reduced skin tightness and surface wrinkles and scars. By tightening the entire skin envelope while improving the quality of the skin, reducing wrinkles, pore size and irregularity, overall appearance is improved.
About Therma-Frax Skin Tightening and Resurfacing
Thermage—helps combat sagging skin which leads to jowls and softening of the upper neck, and tightens eyelid skin. Thermage is an office procedure with no surgery and no recovery time that tightens loose skin with non-invasive radiofrequency heat. It gives some immediate tightening of collagen and promotes the growth of new collagen fibers and additional tightening over time.
Fraxel re: store Laser Treatment— improves sun damage, mild to moderate wrinkles, large pores, bumpy skin, pigment problems, and acne scarring. Increases skin smoothness. In addition to the face, the eyelids, neck, chest, hands and all skin types may be treated.
Number of Treatments—one Thermage tissue tightening treatment for many patients; some patients require more than one Thermage treatment for optimum results. This is combined with 3 to 5 Fraxel Laser Treatment sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Discomfort— with each touch of the Thermage treatment tip a brief intense heating sensation is felt. The Fraxel treatment is uncomfortable but tolerable. For both we prescribe oral pain and anxiety medications, and use a surface numbing cream before Fraxel treatment to reduce discomfort.
Time to See Results— initial improvement starts to be visible in 1-2 months from the Fraxel treatment. Thermage results are usually more gradually seen over 2 - 6 months, although some patients see results immediately. Improvements continue for at least 6 months after the last treatment.
Duration of Results— much of the results are permanent.
Recovery Time/Side Effects— there is no or minimal downtime after Thermage. Your skin may feel flushed as with mild sunburn. Rarely patients develop swelling of the face and neck after treatment, occasionally lasting up to a week. Some patients may experience thickening of the tissue deep in the skin, numbness or mild discomfort when pressure is placed over bony areas (such as jaw line). This may last several weeks, rarely longer, and is normal. Patients return to their regular activities immediately following treatment.
After Fraxel Laser Treatment swelling and redness are the most common side effects, subsiding within a day or two. For 24 hours skin feels sunburned and will appear pink, but there are no oozing, blistering or open areas. Skin naturally bronzes over the next week and then is shed in a fine, powdery exfoliation.
The risks are the same as for each treatment alone. There are no increased risks involved by doing both treatments together.