from the Summer 2009 issue
When does 1 + 1 = 3? At SBA, it’s when you combine two of our most popular procedures, Thermage® skin tightening and Fraxel® re:store skin resurfacing. The results of combining these procedures are even better than doing either alone.
Long regarded as the gold standard for skin tightening, Thermage uses radiofrequency energy to tighten the deeper layers of skin. The procedure is perfect for jowls along the jaw line, loose skin under the chin and neck, and crepey or hooded skin around the eyes. During the procedure, pulses of radiofrequency energy are delivered until the skin is slightly pink. This results in stimulation of new collagen and subsequent tightening. Because our skin builds collagen slowly, the best results are seen six months after the procedure, although improvement will be seen before then.
Fraxel is a fractionated resurfacing laser that treats signs of sun damage and aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, large pores and freckles. The laser targets thousands of microscopic columns in the skin, which leaves normal skin surrounding each targeted area and allows for faster healing. Each column of tissue is coagulated and eventually exfoliated, leaving fresh new skin behind. Tighter pores, a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, fewer brown spots and smoother texture are some of the benefits of the Fraxel laser.
We recommend undergoing the Thermage treatment first as it is a one-time procedure with no downtime. Next, we start the Fraxel series. Approximately 20 percent of the treated area is resurfaced with each treatment, so we recommend a series of four treatments, spaced three to six weeks apart. Following treatment, there are a few days of redness and some swelling. By combining Fraxel with our Omnilux™ LED light therapy treatments, we can greatly reduce the downtime of this procedure. Omnilux is a panel of light-emitting diodes that reduces inflammation and builds collagen. This painless procedure takes 20 minutes immediately following the Fraxel treatment. We then repeat the Omnilux session 3 days after each Fraxel procedure.
By combining Thermage and Fraxel sequentially, we can achieve greater tightening and greater smoothing of the skin than either treatment alone. ThermaFrax, as it’s called, achieves a three-dimensional improvement in the signs of aging. Thermage stimulates collagen production in the deeper layers of skin to produce skin tightening, while Fraxel targets the upper layers of the skin for new collagen stimulation. When performed in a series, both treatments work synergistically to tighten and resurface skin and produce a more youthful appearance.
We offer a five-treatment ThermaFrax package and a five-treatment Signature ThermaFrax package that include eight Omnilux LED light therapy treatments during the Fraxel portion of the series.
To schedule a consultation to discuss this unique combination of procedures, call 713.850.0240 and press 2.
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