As the population ages — and tries to do so gracefully —my California practice sees many patients in their 40s, 50s and 60s who are looking for non-invasive solutions to treat two key issues: laxity of the jowls and neck, and brow lifting that reduces drooping around the eyelids. With the Thermage Total Tip 3.0 (Solta Medical, Inc., Hayward, Calif.), I’ve found a compelling treatment that offers outstanding patient satisfaction to alleviate these patient concerns. My practice has seen an increase in referrals since I began treating with the Total Tip 3.0; a testament to happy patients. I believe there’s no greater compliment than when a patient refers my practice to their friends and family.
Thermage has been my skin-tightening device for more than 6 years and Thermage has always had a reputation as the gold standard for these treatments. The Thermage Total Tip 3.0 is the newest treatment mode for the Thermage CPT (Comfort Pulse Technology®) system: a non-invasive, monopolar, capacitively-coupled radiofrequency (RF) device that treats wrinkles and rhytides, including the upper and lower eyelids, by uniformly heating the layers of skin (including the innermost layers) to regenerate collagen.
I’ve always experienced consistently good results with Thermage treatments, and my patients are seeing even better outcomes with the Thermage CPT and Total Tip 3.0. The improvement in patient comfort, combined with superb results, has been a powerful combination for my patients and my practice.
Comfort Pulse Technology
The Thermage CPT system builds on more than a decade of clinically-proven results and efficacy. With more than one million Thermage treatments performed around the world to date, the treatments are suitable for all
skin types and most body treatment areas, including the eyelids.
Thermage devices use a patented delivery technology to deliver RF energy to tighten the skin. The epidermis remains cooled and protected for patient comfort, while RF energy causes heating in the deeper layers of the skin, without damaging the epidermis. When the internal collagen fibers begin to heat, they shrink and tighten. Over time, new collagen also forms, resulting in continued improvement in firmness and appearance.
(A) Before Thermage Total Tip treatment, and (B) 1-day post-treatment
A key advantage of the Thermage CPT system is its comfortable treatment delivery. The technology is based on the ‘Gate Control Theory of Pain’, which states that applying vibration to an area of discomfort decreases pain by stimulating large diameter nerve fibers, closing the ‘gate’ that relays sensory information to the brain. The Thermage CPT handpiece delivers gentle vibrations and pulsating RF energy interspersed with cooling bursts of cryogen for increased patient comfort.
Total Tip technology
The Thermage Total Tip 3.0 for the Thermage CPT system is the newest evolution of the most-researched skin-tightening technology. My practice had previously used the Face Tip 3.0 with great success, and now with the Total Tip, the results have been outstanding. The Total Tip 3.0 delivers up to two-times greater maximum bulk heating for faster and more effective procedures, with little or no downtime.
The uniform volumetric bulk heating is dispersed through the vascular structures, which are more abundant in the face than other areas of the body. This dispersal, combined with the cooling bursts, increases patient tolerability. The increased delivery of maximum heat, without increased surface discomfort, allows for better results.
With the Total Tip 3.0, my patients and I see initial improvement within a day or two — sometimes even immediately — rather than weeks or months down the line. The Thermage CPT with Total Tip 3.0
is a great option for patients who don’t want surgical facelifts, but want to look the best they can for their age.
(A) Before treatment with Thermage Total Tip,
(B) immediately post‑treatment, and
(C) 2 months post-treatment
Treatment
We perform this non-surgical, non-invasive procedure in our office, and we may prescribe medication for some patients to encourage relaxation during the procedure.
The Thermage CPT system is a sleek, streamlined unit with a simple, intuitive user-friendly interface and it complements our office setting well. The Total Tip 3.0 is one of a variety of tips that can be connected to the ergonomic handpiece.
In just one 60-minute treatment, our patients are often thrilled to see immediate results. They continue to notice improvement over subsequent days, weeks and months. There is minimal post-procedure redness or discomfort. We apply sunscreen and make-up to patients post-procedure to minimize redness when they leave the office. Many of our patients go out to lunch with friends afterward and may return to work immediately.
A powerful tool for patient satisfaction
While the majority of my patients range from their 40s to 60s, I’ve even seen good results with patients in their 70s. The improvement is significant, yet never drastic-looking. Overall, patients are so happy with the natural-looking results that they’re anticipating annual treatments over the years to maintain the effect and to stay looking younger.
My practice strives to deliver the best patient outcomes and highest quality results in a pleasant, professional environment. I’m pleased to be able to offer a procedure that has a solid history of success with minimal adverse effects. Thermage treatments have been giving our patients a smoother, sleeker and younger look and feel for years. It’s quite rewarding to be able to deliver such patient satisfaction.
