To find out how Thermage® can renew your face and neck, contact the Oregon offices of Dr. Peter Goodkin today.
Peter Goodkin M.D.
9775 SE Sunnyside Road #500
Clackamas, Oregon 97015
P / 503-654-7546
F / 503-786-3542
A member of the ACMMSCO©™
Skin Tightening with Thermage® at Our Oregon-Area Clinic
Thermage® is a popular, non-invasive technique for tightening and contouring skin of the face and body without the use of surgery. The FDA has also approved Thermage® for tightening and improving the texture of the skin on the eyelids. It actually stimulates the growth of new collagen, the main structural protein of the skin, over a four to six-month period. Dr. Peter Goodkin and his staff are your best information resources for determining how this treatment will most benefit you. Find out whether you too can benefit from Thermage® at our Clackamas, Oregon facility — contact us for a private consultation.
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- Where did the idea for Thermage® come from?
- How is the Thermage® procedure performed?
- What does the procedure feel like?
- How long does the procedure take?
- How will I feel after a Thermage® treatment?
- How many treatments are needed?
- How long do the results last?
- How safe is Thermage®?
- How soon may I return to my normal routine?
Where did the idea for Thermage® come from?
The idea for the Thermage® device derived from the observation that skin over red birthmarks that had been treated with a pulsed dye laser showed not only a reduction of the redness but improved texture and tightening of the overlying skin. This was postulated to be caused by the heat produced as a byproduct of the laser–skin interaction.
The laser is limited, however, because it can only penetrate about the first millimeter of skin. Skin can be several millimeters thick. The Thermage® people decided that a laser wasn't needed to heat the skin. Remember your microwave oven?
How is the Thermage® procedure performed?
We perform the Thermage® procedure in our Oregon office using the patented radiofrequency ThermaCool™ device. The tip of the device is placed in contact with the skin. When the device is activated, over a period of 1.9 seconds, a coolant is pumped through the tip which gently pre-cools the skin. Then the tip passes radiofrequency waves through the pre-cooled skin and heats the deeper layers. When skin collagen is heated to about 60°C, the aged collagen in the skin unwinds from its triple helix orientation. This so-called denaturation of the collagen is a major stimulus for fibroblasts to produce new collagen. The new collagen is then produced over a period of four to six months. The top 0.5–1 millimeters of skin are protected by the pre-cooling, whereas the deeper, thicker layers are treated. Some of the radiofrequency even heats the fat under the skin and the fibrous septae that separate our fat lobules. The device is quickly moved in multiple passes over the skin in carefully marked grid patterns.
The Thermage® procedure can be quickly performed and involves no incisions or injections. Unlike lasers, Thermage® can treat all skin types and requires no downtime. Over time, new and remodeled collagen is produced to further tighten skin, resulting in healthier, smoother skin and a more youthful appearance. Contact us about Thermage® at our Clackamas, Oregon office, and learn how it can improve your looks.
What does the procedure feel like?
Thermage® is a heating technique, so what you feel is a deep heating of the skin.
We use a four-point heat scale:
No sensation at all, versus
- Warm
- Hot
- Very hot
- Intense
For the technique to be effective, we aim for a sensation between hot and very hot, about 2.5 on the above scale. Dr. Goodkin can turn the heat up or down depending on your feedback. The ThermaTip device is cooled before, during, and after heating to protect your skin and make the treatment more comfortable. Additionally, Dr. Goodkin may prescribe relaxants and pain medication. When we administer Thermage® at our Oregon office, we take every precaution to make sure that you are comfortable and that the procedure is safely performed.
How long does the procedure take?
Just treating the eyelids and around the eyes may take only 45 minutes. The whole face may take one and a half to two hours. It may take longer to treat other larger body areas.
How will I feel after a Thermage® treatment?
The skin usually feels tighter and more contoured right away. The skin is typically light pink and may feel slightly sensitive for a few days. There is no downtime, and make-up can be applied immediately.
How many treatments are needed?
We offer Thermage® as a single procedure. Dr. Goodkin will determine the course of treatment that is right for you. In some cases, a second procedure in six months might offer optimal results. Most people see results with a single session.
How long do the results last?
Current unpublished studies estimate that the results of Thermage® last about 18-24 months. The aging process is not stopped — it's just held at bay for a couple of years. To learn more about Thermage®, contact our Portland, Oregon-area office today — find out whether it's right for you.
How safe is Thermage®?
With more than 100,000 people treated, the incidence of side effects is less than 1 percent. The most frequently reported problems are classified as swelling, redness, bumps, and blisters in the treated area. These side effects have usually disappeared in a few days or weeks. A rare (<0.2 percent) but longer-lasting side effect described as a skin depression has also been reported.
How soon may I return to my normal routine?
You look and feel good immediately after a Thermage® procedure at our Oregon facility. Make-up may be applied right away. Redness is minimal. If you have taken any prescribed medication, you shouldn’t drive or operate heavy machinery for about four hours.
Find out more about this time-tested skin-tightening procedure by contacting us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Peter Goodkin, a dermasurgeon. Thermage® at our northwest Oregon office has helped many people regain the tighter, smoother facial contour that they had years earlier.