What is ThermiSmooth?
ThermiSmooth is a treatment for remodeling the collagen in the skin to create a smoother surface, shrink the appearance of pores, and diminish fine lines. Using a device that emits radio-frequency energy, we apply heat externally to stimulate collagen regeneration. When collagen is heated to the proper temperature, it stimulates injury with subsequent remodeling and healing resulting in a cosmetic benefit.
Radio-frequency is an electrical energy we can pass through the skin with controlled intensity that does not shock the patient. In fact, ThermiSmooth can safely tighten skin anywhere on the body. It can improve minimal laxity in the face and neck and even minimize stretch marks. While it’s not effective with major wrinkle lines or facial creases, it can decrease fine lines.
What Does ThermiSmooth Treat?
ThermiSmooth non-surgically tightens skin. By stimulating collagen remodelling and production, it can be used to treat:
- Minimally loose skin on the face, neck, or body
- Fine lines
- Stretch marks
- Enlarged pores
- Dull-appearing, photo-damaged skin
What Alternative Treatments Can I Choose?
Several treatment devices are based on a similar strategy of targeting collagen to create a smoother appearance to the skin.
Light treatments (IPL), laser therapy, and radio-frequency energy all work to create superficial injury to collagen to stimulate remodeling. While laser and light therapy are effective, they may require downtime.
ThermiSmooth provides a no downtime option with visible improvement to the skin. Early models of radio-frequency treatment devices were only minimally effective, but patients find that ThermiSmooth stimulates much better results.
What Should You Expect During Treatment?
ThermiSmooth is administered by a doctor or highly trained and supervised nurse. The patient will lie down during their treatment and essentially get a soft massage with a heated device over the targeted area. The operator constantly monitors the temperature and adjusts accordingly in order to keep the skin temperature within a specific range for the duration of the treatment. For best results, the temperature is increased to the patient’s maximum level of tolerable discomfort. Patients should expect this procedure to take about 30 minutes.
ThermiSmooth is essentially a no-downtime procedure with minimal swelling. After the procedure, the skin will be slightly red, but should not otherwise sting or feel uncomfortable. We do not use heat excessive enough to produce blistering or external wounding.
For the days following the treatment, be gentle with the skin’s surface, particularly on the face and neck. Avoid abrasive cleansers, exfoliators, or scrubbing devices on the skin. Instead, wash the area with a gentle cleanser using your fingers, apply a moisturizer, and pat dry.
ThermiSmooth FAQ’s
How much does it hurt? What’s my downtime?
ThermiSmooth is one of the easiest treatments you can choose that still proves effective enough to provide a visible, appreciable clinical result. Patients opt for ThermiSmooth because it’s convenient, pain-free, and still noticeably improves their skin.
It’s not an aggressive treatment, so don’t expect the same level of results that those treatments can produce. The more powerful the therapy, the more powerfully the skin responds. While aggressive treatments often provide more noticeable results, they also require more downtime and entail more potential side effects.
How many treatments will I need?
Patients need a sequence of ThermiSmooth procedures to see results. Typically, we recommend 3-4 treatments at 2-3-week intervals. This provides enough cumulative heat-based injury to the collagen layer to create optimal clinical results.
For any thermal collagen remodeling procedure, it takes a full six months for renewal and regeneration to reach its maximum level. During this time, patients should see continued improvement in their skin. We ask patients to come in for a follow-up appointment six months after their treatment series so we can evaluate the results.
At that point, if the patient wants to create a plan to maintain their results, we can schedule treatments to optimize the benefit by periodically rebooting and reactivating the collagen with single procedures.
Who are the best candidates for ThermiSmooth?
Patients with early collagen changes such as fine lines, dull sheen, or enlarged pores are the ideal candidates for ThermiSmooth. Someone with more aggressive wrinkles, lines, or sagging skin likely won’t see the results they hope for with this treatment.
Does ThermiSmooth prevent future skin damage?
While ThermiSmooth doesn’t completely prevent the need for other procedures in the future, it does slow the aging process. It boosts collagen health to keep the skin looking younger for longer.
Our skin is progressively damaged due to sun exposure, environmental pollutants, age, oxidized stress, and free radicals. While we can’t stop these factors altogether, we can slow down their effects on collagen by promoting remodelling and tightening of your skin’s collagen layer.
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