Thermage for Legs & Thighs
The natural aging process can wreak havoc on the skin all across the body. As elastin and collagen production decreases, the skin starts to sag, appearing loose and crepey. Even with a healthy diet and work out regimen, loose skin can still form as we age, which can be very distressing to see. One area of the body in which this is particularly true is on the legs and thighs, where loose skin is not only distressing in and of itself, but can also contribute to the appearance of cellulite. Cellulite forms when fat cells under the skin are pulled by fibrous bands, causing bulging, and dimples on the surface of the skin. Previously, many patients believed that the only way to fix loose skin and cellulite was to get plastic surgery or liposuction. However, there are many non-invasive skin tightening procedures available at board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Michele Green’s, New York City dermatology office, including the innovative skin tightening treatment, Thermage.
Thermage is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure used to tighten the skin through the use of radiofrequency technology. FDA approved to be used on a wide variety of treatment areas, including the face, neck, decolletage, arms, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and legs, Thermage is a safe and effective anti-aging treatment for full body rejuvenation. Not only does Thermage treatment work to tighten sagging skin, a single treatment can boost collagen production, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and improve the appearance of cellulite for more than a year. As a non-invasive skin tightening treatment, the Thermage procedure has new significant side effects and no downtime associated with the procedure, making it a favorite treatment for many patients.
Thermage is just one of many skincare and full body rejuvenation procedures available at Dr. Michele Green’s private dermatology office, located in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. Dr. Green is a highly experienced, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist that has been expertly treating her patients from around the globe for over 25 years. Well known for her skill in non-invasive treatments, Dr. Green offers a wide variety of cosmetic treatment options including Botox, dermal fillers, Fraxel and other laser resurfacing treatments, chemical peels, CoolSculpting, and much more. Dr. Green has been recognized as one of the best health care practitioners in New York City by publications such as New York Magazine, Castle Connolly, and Super Doctors.
Thermage® for Skin Tightening
Thermage is a highly effective, non-invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to improve skin laxity, boost collagen production, erase fine lines and wrinkles, and improve the appearance of cellulite. Thermage has been FDA approved to treat loose skin across many areas of the body, and is often used as a part of non-surgical facelifts, to decrease hooding over the eyes and contour the jawline. The procedure can also be used to address skin laxity on other areas of the body, such as the arms, abdomen, buttocks, legs, and thighs. The treatment works via radiofrequency energy to heat the inner layers of skin, triggering the body’s natural healing process, which boosts the body’s production of collagen. The new collagen that forms over time works to tighten and smooth the skin in the treatment area, and results will continue to gradually improve in the 4-6 months following treatment. The skin tightening occurs immediately following treatment as well, as the RF energy causes the water molecules to separate from the collagen-rich bands deep under the surface of the skin. This separation leads to an immediate tightening for instant results.
Does Thermage work on the legs?
In addition to treatment of loose skin on the face, Thermage can also be used to address skin laxity and as cellulite treatment on the legs. Thermage has been specifically FDA approved to tighten the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles in many areas of the body, including the legs. When addressing loose skin on the legs, the Thermage FLX 4cm tip has been specifically designed to treat these larger surface-area parts of the body. The Thermage FLX 4cm tip allows for a quicker treatment procedure and increased comfort. As the radiofrequency energy emitted from the handpiece works to heat the inner layer of the skin, the tip of the applicator simultaneously cools the surface of the skin, reducing any discomfort. Results of the Thermage treatment can last for up to 2 years, however, Dr. Green recommends getting the treatment as a part of a yearly skin rejuvenation in order to maintain the best results.
Before and After photo of Thermage procedure on Knee and thigh area (4 months)
Does Thermage work on the thighs?
In the thighs, even for people who exercise frequently, skin can sag and in many cases, cellulite can appear. This issue appears more often in women than men, due to hormonal changes, along with the way the connecting tissue between the fat and skin is formed within the body. This connecting tissue is predominately comprised of collagen and as we age the collagen in the body is reduced. Cellulite isn’t an actual substance but instead it is simply the appearance of when the fat in the body is pushed against the skin forming lumps and bumps, often known as “orange peel skin.” As a result, Thermage is a popular body contouring option for the thighs.
Thermage and Cellulite reduction on legs
Cellulite can appear in areas across the body but is most common on the thighs and buttocks. The condition affects as many as 90% of women in the United States and can be very hard to treat using natural processes. Even with weight loss, a healthy diet, and a steady exercise regimen, cellulite can stubbornly stick around. If cellulite is keeping you from wearing shorts or swimsuits in the summer, rest assured that there are treatment options available at Dr. Green’s office to reduce the appearance of cellulite on the legs.
Cellulite occurs when the fibrous bands that connect skin to the muscles below the surface cause the fat cells accumulated in the area to bulge out. This results in a dimpled, rolling appearance on the surface of the skin that is characteristic of cellulite. Many patients believe that cellulite can only be improved with the help of liposuction, however, there are many non-surgical options available to address the appearance of cellulite. At Dr. Green’s office, she offers a combination of treatments to combat cellulite all across the body. When it comes to cellulite reduction on the legs, Dr. Green will use Thermage in combination with treatments such as Velashape, QWO injectable treatment, and CoolSculpting. With these treatments, Thermage helps to boost collagen production, which smooths out the surface of the skin and reduces the appearance of cellulite in the treatment area.
Thermage for cellulite on thighs
In order to treat cellulite, Thermage works to boost collagen production, which leads to smoother, firmer skin. Often, Dr. Green will pair Thermage treatment with other cellulite treatments for the best results, such as QWO injectable treatment, Velashape, or CoolSculpting.
QWO Treatment: QWO is the first FDA approved injectable treatment designed specifically to treat cellulite. The injection works to dissolve the fibrous bands that pull on the skin and that cause fat cells to bulge. With the dissolution of the fibrous bands, the fat cells in the area become redistributed, alleviating the appearance of cellulite in the area. QWO treatment can be paired with Thermage in order to tighten any excess skin in the treatment area.
Velashape: For body contouring and disrupting the fibrous bands under the surface of the skin, Velashape is the treatment option to pair with Thermage. Velashape uses a combination of heat, infrared light, radiofrequency technology, and suction to break up the bands under the surface of the skin and boost collagen production. As a result, the appearance of cellulite is decreased and patients can achieve smoother, firmer skin. Velashape typically requires 5-6 treatments for the best results.
CoolSculpting: In order to decrease the number of stubborn fat cells in a treatment area, Dr. Green will use CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting works via cryolipolysis technology to freeze fat cells. Fat cells freeze at a lower temperature than the surrounding tissue, meaning that when the applicator is placed on the treatment area, the fat cells there will freeze and rupture, “debulking” the area of fat.
When you have your initial consultation with Dr. Green, she will help you to determine the treatment or series of treatments that will work best to address the appearance of cellulite in the legs and thighs.
Skin tightening with Thermage FLX
Thermage FLX is the fourth generation of Thermage radiofrequency energy products with several new innovations that make treating the thighs and legs faster and more comfortable. Compared to the model that came before, Thermage CPT, Thermage FLX has a 33% larger tip that makes treating larger surface areas, such as the legs and thighs much more optimal. With Thermage FLX, the legs and thighs can be treated much quicker than before. Additionally, each new generation of Thermage applicator has patient comfort in mind as well as optimizing precision of the treatment with the patented AccuREP technology. With Thermage FLX, sagging skin can be tightened a smoothed out on the legs and the thighs with long lasting results and no downtime.
Does Thermage work on the inner thighs?
The inner thighs are another area on the body in which the natural aging process can lead to sagging skin and the appearance of cellulite. Luckily, Thermage can be used on the inner thigh to address skin laxity and reduce the appearance of cellulite. When the Thermage FLX device is applied to the treatment area, the radiofrequency energy works to heat in inner, collagen-rich layer of skin. This causes an immediate separation between the water molecules and these collagen-rich fibers, which leads to an instantaneous tightening of the skin in the treatment area. The heating of this layer also triggers the body’s natural healing response, which boosts collagen production there. As a result, the effects of the treatment continue to improve over time as new collagen works to tighten and smooth the skin.
Thermage vs. Ultherapy on thighs
Another treatment that is used to tighten the skin in Ultherapy. Though Ultherapy and Thermage serve a similar function – addressing skin laxity by boosting collagen production, – the two treatments work in very different ways. While Thermage employs radiofrequency technology to heat the inner layers of skin, Ultherapy relies on ultrasound heat and visualization energy to trigger the body’s collagen production response. The two treatments also differ in that Ultherapy is only FDA approved to treat the face and decolletage, whereas Thermage is FDA approved to treat the face, decolletage, neck, arms, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and above the knee. Thermage is also a much more comfortable treatment option than Ultherapy. Ultherapy may require some downtime following the procedure, which Thermage does not, and Ultherapy also requires patients to take a pain medication before treatment. For that reason, Dr. Green prefers to use Thermage for skin tightening as opposed to Ultherapy.
Are there any side effects of Thermage treatment?
Thermage is a non-invasive treatment for tightening the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and, as such there is very little risk of any side effects. Some patients may experience slight redness or swelling at the treatment site following the procedure but these effects should go away on their own within several days. Patients with a pacemaker or other implants should not receive Thermage treatment. Be sure to disclose with Dr. Green any medical history before undergoing treatment.
How much is Thermage for legs and thighs?
Patients may ask, what is the cost of Thermage for the legs and thighs, and the answer is: it depends. The cost of treatment may vary on a number of factors, including the type of institution at which you receive treatment, geographic location, and your specific treatment plan. When it comes to using Thermage on the thighs and legs, the treatment location has a much bigger surface area than the face, meaning the cost will be adjusted accordingly. Also, if you are treating cellulite on the legs, it may be best to pair the Thermage treatment with other treatments, such as QWO or CoolSculpting, which will also influence the overall cost of treatment. After your initial consultation with Dr. Green, her office will be able to provide you with a better estimate of the overall cost of the treatment after determining your unique treatment plan.
How can I get started with Thermage for legs & thighs today?
The areas of the body that we use often, such as the knees and elbows, are susceptible to developing signs of skin aging over time. Skin laxity, wrinkles, and fine lines become apparent in these areas as collagen is broken down as part of the natural aging process. This can occur in both men and women and is caused simply through the use of the joints and due to the loss of elasticity that occurs in the skin as we age. For individuals who would like to treat their saggy skin and cellulite but do not want to have invasive surgery to do so, Thermage is often an ideal cosmetic treatment option that is associated with zero downtime whatsoever. To determine whether or not you are a good candidate for Thermage the best course of action is to book a consultation with Dr. Green who can provide an assessment as to the best course of action in your own particular case.
Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified dermatologist with over 25 years of experience as an internationally recognized leader in the field of cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Green utilizes the most cutting edge technologies and innovative treatment techniques to deliver her patients their optimal cosmetic results that are natural-looking and long-lasting. For her holistic approach and ‘less is more’ philosophy when it comes to rejuvenation treatments, she is consistently voted as one of New York’s best physicians by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors. To find out how Thermage on your thighs, knees and legs could become part of your customized rejuvenation treatment plan, schedule a consultation with Dr. Michele Green at her NYC based office by calling 212 535 3088 or contacting us online.