Thermage treatment has turned out to be a highly demanded procedure among people throughout the world. At present, celebrities are undergoing thermage treatment, which is a safe procedure to get a skin-tightening effect and eradicate fine lines. If this is the kind of skin that you wish to maintain, thermage is what you should consider undergoing.
However, the cost of thermage might be something you are wondering about; why it is so high and what services it includes. As you might be curious about what you’re paying for, here is a review that consists of the breakdown of thermage cost in Singapore. You will also find details about the thermage procedure, its benefits, and who it is suitable for.
What Is Thermage?
Thermage treatment is a non-invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to smoothen wrinkles and reduce fine lines. This treatment can be done to tighten the skin on the face, neck, and eyelids. It can even be used to redefine the contours of arms, thighs, and buttocks with more in-depth treatments. Essentially, thermage stimulates the repair process of the skin by the heat generated from the radiofrequency device. The desired outcomes are brought about by the tightening of the skin’s surface.
Radio waves penetrate the deeper skin layers up to the collagen-rich layer. At a young age, a lot of collagen is produced that keeps your skin tight and fleshy. With age, the skin reduces its firmness because of the decline in collagen generation. That’s where thermage comes into play; It kick starts the repair process of your skin, enhancing circulation and reviving collagen production.
What To Expect After Thermage Treatment?
Thermage treatment is expected to give visibly tighter skin and reduces wrinkles and lines. The results can be observed almost immediately, and they keep improving over the next few weeks as the body rebuilds collagen naturally.
Once the treatment is over, the face might look slightly swollen and a bit flushed. Expect this swelling to subside within 2-3 days of the treatment. In most cases, the redness subsides a few hours after the treatment.
As Thermage is a non-invasive skin treatment, only a little or no downtime can be expected after the procedure.
The treatment is not particularly painful either, as the radiofrequency waves do not damage the surface of the skin. The skin is also kept at comfortable temperatures during the procedure with the help of a cooling function from the Thermage tip.
Some discomfort should still be expected, however. There’s a little heating sensation when the device touches the skin, and it is then followed by a cooling sensation. Generally, to make the treatment process more comfortable, the skin is prepped with numbing cream applied before the start of the treatment. Patients who may have very low thresholds can opt for local anesthesia and request to add on an over-the-counter pain reliever ahead of the session if they are extremely sensitive to pain.
What Is Radiofrequency?
Radiofrequency (RF) is a kind of energy, the frequency or wavelength of which falls in the radio wave electromagnetic spectrum. It has also been long in use as a non-invasive skin-tightening facial, also called the non-surgical facelift.
While RF waves are much slower than visible light, they can safely and more effectively penetrate a deeper skin layer than lasers. As a result, the skin’s soft tissues improve skin texture and bring about a lifting effect.
In thermage, monopolar radiofrequency technology is used to transmit heat to the deeper skin layers that smoothen wrinkles and lines, tighten loose skin and enhance facial skin repair. Other effects that thermage produces include redefining and contouring the skin and rejuvenating the lost skin elasticity quickly, efficiently, and comfortably.
What Effects Can Radiofrequency Produce?
Radiofrequency can be used to cater to issues on the face as well as other parts of the body, including the tummy or thighs. It is extensively utilized for:
Treating fine lines and wrinkles – mainly laugh lines from the nose to mouth.
- Reducing skin laxity
- Decreasing stretch marks
- Rejuvenating dull and worn-out skin.
While other non-invasive cosmetic facelift procedures merely incite the facial muscles, what’s unique about RF is that continued improvement in results can be seen even after the treatment course is complete. This occurs due to the stimulation of the skin’s reparative process, as mentioned above. Besides, the RF is safe and does not pose a risk of permanent discoloration.
The Procedure
A standard full-face Thermage treatment takes around 90 minutes to complete. Before the start of each treatment, your face will be cleaned thoroughly, followed by the application of numbing cream. It takes around 30 to 45 minutes for the numbing cream to take effect, and it is removed right before the start of the procedure. The doctor will apply a removal ink grid onto the skin, which will help guide the position of the tip during the procedure.
Using the Thermage handpiece, the doctor administers one pulse at a time in a systematic manner across the grid. Each pulse delivers a brief cooling sensation followed by a heating sensation and micro-vibrations. The heat energy penetrates the dermis to stimulate collagen remodeling. As the procedure progresses, your doctor will check with you on the comfort level and adjust the power settings if necessary.
Risks Associated With Thermage Treatment
There is a risk of burns due to heating if the thermage is not done correctly. However, in the hands of an experienced practitioner, the risk of side effects is minimal as the RF device is set to transmit controlled heat by close monitoring to prevent overheating. Thus, time should be invested in selecting the right cosmetic center and practitioner.
Other known side effects are generally insignificant and fade away on their own. While a few patients might develop some swelling, redness, and tingling sensations after the procedure, these are mild and short-lived. Being a typically safe and non-invasive procedure when performed by a skilled medical practitioner, thermage allows you to return to work immediately. You can resume your regular tasks and activities right after your therapy with no downtime or prolonged recovery periods. However, you should make sure to inform your practitioner or doctor if your skin is extra sensitive that is susceptible to heat, redness, or swelling so that extra care can be taken.
Are You The Right Candidate For Undergoing Thermage?
Before taking the next steps, first, determine whether you are actually the ideal candidate for it.
Those Who Are Not Suitable For Thermage
People who are not the right candidates for RF energy thermage therapy include those who:
- Are pregnant or breast-feeding
- Have broken capillaries
- Are suffering from rosacea or heat sensitivity
- Have electrical devices, including pacemakers or metal implants, as these may be potentially hazardous and interfere with the RF waves
Having wrinkles, fine lines, as well as sagging skin may make you a potential candidate for thermage. However, only mild to moderate conditions can be effectively treated. Too saggy skin or very deep wrinkles might remove you from being the right candidate for it. Other alternative treatment options, such as fillers or even surgery, may be more suitable for you.
Other features that don’t make you the best candidate for thermage include:
- Being a heavy smoker.
- Having extremely sun-damaged skin.
- People who have other skin conditions, e.g., acne.
What’s The Cost Breakdown Of Thermage?
In general, thermage is comparatively less costly as compared to other, more invasive procedures. On average, the cost of thermage starts from $2800 to 4500 in Singapore. This is much less than the cost of a facelift which is approximately $15,000. Moreover, most other procedures need repeated sessions within a short period, while thermage typically requires a single sitting and results can last for 18 to 24 months.
How Is Thermage Cost Cheaper Than The Facelift Procedure?
There are several reasons why thermage is less costly than a facelift. In thermage, anesthesia is not required as the power settings can be adjusted to make the experience comfortable and tolerable. There are no extended stays in the clinic, and you can resume work right after the procedure. The recovery period after thermage is minimal to zero. Hence, you don’t need long and complicated post-op care. Because the total cost of a procedure is an essential factor for most people wanting to go for them, clinicians have worked out versatile payment plans, making thermage affordable and convenient to undertake. It serves as a cost-effective treatment option that can give you tight skin with a youthful look.
Factors Affecting Thermage Cost Singapore
In case you are curious about the reason behind thermage’s wide-ranging costs, then what you should know is that several factors impact its cost. These include:
- The expertise of the medical practitioner
- The severity of your condition
- The size and location of the treatment area
Also, the reasons why it costs you so much for this treatment also come from the type of equipment used, the patency of the technology, as well as the qualification of the staff.
Type Of Equipment Used
The tips that are used in thermage are single-use materials and are used for one session only. A new tip is unpacked for your treatment, and after your treatment is complete, the tip will be disposed of. This ensures maximum hygiene and cross-contamination control for every patient.
Patent Technology
Thermage is a single-ownership patent technology, which means that the RF energy device and the tip are maintained by a single company specializing in making the equipment. The cooling spray also adds to the price to give you a comfortable experience. Thus, the quality of the equipment is maintained and not compromised, hence the high cost.
Qualified Staff
The board-certified medical practitioner needs specialized training to cater to the thermage treatment before, during, and after the procedure. While thermage needs only one treatment session, there are quite a lot of efforts necessary to deliver the best results, causing it to cost higher.
Considering Giving Thermage Treatment As A Try At Dream Plastic Surgery?
While the difference in thermage cost in Singapore in most reputable clinics would be insignificant, Dream Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery offer the best possible quality of services and treatment. Our board-certified plastic surgeons and medical doctors are experienced in dealing with all conditions. What’s more? Our trained and friendly staff is always there at your disposal for the best possible thermage experience. Book your consultation for a detailed analysis of your condition and clear any queries that you have.
About Dream Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery
Bespoke surgical for cosmetic or medical reasons is what Dream covers to bring out the beauty in every individual. Going beyond the aesthetics and working on physical anomalies are what we value the most in leading our patients to cherish self-improvement and confident lifestyles.
Derived from Associate Professor Vincent Yeow’s long-standing experience performing plastic surgery in Singapore, our treatment plans deliver physical remodelling in our patients’ favour. One of the notable remodellings is droopy eyelid correction. The ptosis surgery used for treatment eventually fixes drooping eyelids, improves vision and enhances appearance.
Most importantly, as a trustworthy plastic surgery and aesthetic clinic, we treasure positive and natural outcomes for each individual. We will ensure to deliver the beauty refinement of your dream without compromising your safety and privacy.
