The Thermage FLX treatment
Patients often ask us to explain how the Thermage FLX system works, amongst other questions. Yes, we can and will explain during your consultation but due to time constraints, complexity of the technology, and people’s attention span, the answer is often abbreviated. In this article we will attempt to explain further and cover all the reasons Thermage FLX works so well, and why.
Radiofrequency energy history in medicine
Radiofrequency has been used as a surgical treatment for nearly 100 years now and has been used in aesthetic medicine for 20 years (as of 2023). The use of radio frequency, when used within bodily tissues is a very well researched technique and has many clinical studies behind it. It has an excellent record with regards to its safety.
The first device to be approved as a treatment to tighten skin and to treat wrinkles by the FDA is in fact, a Thermage device. Technology has moved on since then and Thermage has gone through many revisions and improvements to reach the device we use today, the Thermage FLX.
What does radio frequency actually do to the body?
Radio frequency is used in medicine for many procedures. It is the temperatures which are generated by the device that determine the intended results. Surgeons who wish to remove tissue will use very high settings on radio frequency machines. In the case of the Thermage FLX device, precisely controlled levels of radio frequency energy enter the body through the hand-piece and vibrate molecules within the body’s cells. This vibration causes the cells to heat up and two things start to happen. Micro-damage is caused to collagen at a cellular level which shortens and thickens the strands is one of the effects. The other effect is known as the wound healing cascade. This triggers various actions such as neoangiogenesis, (the formation of new blood vessels), neocollagenesis, and elastin re-organisation. Neocollagenesis is one of the desired results. It is defined as the creation of new collagen.
Why is collagen important?
Out of all the proteins in the body, collagen is the most abundant. Its fibrous structure means that it has immense strength, being stronger than steel weight for weight. Collagen is found in many types of tissues such as skin, bone, tendons, and muscles. Over 16 distinct types of collagen have been identified and there are probably more. As the body ages the collagen in skin tissues breaks down. This is in addition to the fact that your body will also start to produce less collagen.
Collagen plays vital roles in many parts of the body but for this article we are interested in the collagen in the various layers of the skin. Collagen loss is the cause of those wrinkles and sagging skin.
What is collagen remodelling?
Collagen remodelling is the term used to describe the process of stimulating new collagen to be produced by the body and also the change in structure to existing collagen fibres. Collagen remodelling occurs naturally when body tissues become injured. The Thermage FLX works by simulating this tissue injury and thus setting off the process of collagen remodelling. By tricking the skin into thinking it has been damaged, new collagen structures are created within the skin, resulting in the skin tightening effect.
The end result – Thermage treatment
Due to the two-pronged effect patients can expect a near-instant improvement in their skin’s appearance as collagen fibres structures are rearranged. Over the coming months, new collagen production is stimulated and visual improvements will continue to show. Patients can expect their skin to appear tighter and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles will be diminished. If you would like to book a consultation at our London aesthetic clinic, follow the link here.
You can also view the manufacturer’s website here.