The non-surgical way to turn back the clock

WHO:

I’m a sucker for a good before and after demonstration. So when I saw impressive photos from the Thermage CPT skin tightening treatment, I had to give it a go. And when I heard Gwyneth Paltrow said the procedure took five years off her face, I made the appointment straight away!

While Thermage is best suited for people in the 35-60 age bracket, as a woman in her early 30s, I’m a firm believer in prevention being better than cure. So I snuck in to get this one done a couple of years early…
 

WHAT:

Thermage is a non-invasive radiofrequency treatment that kick-starts the body’s natural renewal process and helps skin to appear smoother, sleeker and younger. Thanks to ageing and UV exposure, we can end up with lax, crepey, thinning skin as well as sagging, jowls and deeper lines. Thermage regenerates collagen to help reverse some of these unwelcome visitors - in fact, it’s been described as a facelift without the surgery!

While the treatment is non-invasive, it’s not relaxing like many other skin care services. Clear Complexions founder Suzie Hoitink’s description of it as “uncomfortable but tolerable” is spot on. Basically, you’ll feel a lot of hot pricks in the deeper layers of your skin, but gentle vibrations and interspersed cooling will help to ease the discomfort. Imagine being flicked with an elastic band - that’s kind of what Thermage CPT feels like.

The good news is that you usually only need a single treatment, so once it’s done, it’s done (although you can go back every 3-5 years if you like). With results continuing to improve for the first six months after treatment and lasting for years, I say the pain is definitely worth the gain.
 

WHERE:

I went to the Clear Complexions clinic in Balmain. Before undergoing Thermage CPT, I had a consultation with a nurse to learn more about the treatment and make sure it was right for me. With great support throughout the treatment and follow-up consultations put in place, I felt reassured knowing I was in the hands of true professionals.

The Thermage CPT treatment is available at selected dermatologists, cosmetic clinics and plastic surgery centres. To find your nearest clinic, call 1800 772 442.
 

WHY:

I don’t know about you, but just the thought of cosmetic surgery scares the living daylight out of me. With Thermage CPT, you can get similar skin tightening and body contouring results without having knives wielded in your direction.

Treatments can be used to target the eyes, face and body:
Eyes: Thermage CPT treats the upper and lower eyelids and works to reduce hooding and fine lines as well as lifting the brow line.
Face: The face treatment smooths and tightens skin, defining the jawline and lip and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It addresses loose jowls and “turkey neck” sagging skin.
Body: The body treatment contours loose skin and smooths bulges, while also temporarily improving the appearance of cellulite.  

A big appeal of the treatment is its long-term results. “This isn’t a band-aid type, short-term treatment. It is designed to improve the overall integrity of your skin. Clients notice improved definition of contours and jawline, increased firmness, reduction of lines and improved hydration and vitality. It’s like getting your skin and kicking it back a few years,” explains Hoitink.

While I used the treatment more for prevention than to fix sagging skin or loose jowls, I have noticed a slight tightening around my jawline. I’m most excited about not having to worry about my face ‘dropping’ in the next few years. So, surgeons - you can keep your tools to yourselves!

The 'after' shot shows the improvements in bh's Yelena's jawline just three months after treatment, where she is already experiencing more definition. As time passes, these results are only set to become more visible and she'll notice a bigger difference.

Thermage treatments range from $1,500 to $3,000.

Would you like to try the Thermage CPT skin tightening treatment?

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