Smart Lipo Vs. Thermage

Thermage is a non-invasive skin treatment designed to tighten, contour and smooth out the skins surface. The Thermage machine, called Thermage Therma Cool NXT is a monopolar capacity radio frequency device. This machine or "tool" delivers high frequency energy into the skin and underlying tissues causing them to heat up.

The energy is aimed at the Dermis heating this deeper layer of skin. The surface skin or the Epidermis is protected with a cooling spray. The heating of the Dermis causes new collagen formation and ultimately skin tightening. The results are gradual, improving for 2 to 6 months after the procedure.

It is commonly used on the face, tummy, arms, hands, thighs, and buttocks. Costs vary, depending on the physician, but usually run $2000 to $3000 per treatment area.

Thermage's claimed advantage is its non-invasive nature and lack of downtime, which is true. Results certainly vary depending on the experience of the physician.

The O'Neil Skin and Lipo Medical Center does not offer Thermage because we do not offer redundant technologies.

Smart Lipo offers all the improvements of Thermage in the area of skin tightening, and additionally removes fat. The patient's experience skin tightening, cellulite improvement and in addition, slimming of the treated area by virtue of fat destruction.

Smart Lipo is a machine that utilizes laser energy to heat and destroy fat cells. The deeper layers of skin (Dermis) are heated as well causing collagen growth and formation and ultimately skin tightening.

(Click on images to enlarge)

(Smart lipo was used on this patients back,waist,and hips. We were able to give her a new shape and firm up her lose back skin)

Like Thermage, the skin tightening takes 2 to 6 months to complete, and areas like the face, neck, abdomen, arms, back, buttocks and thighs are commonly treated. With Smart Lipo we can re-contour and slim the area and tighten the skin.

Smart Lipo is only mildly more invasive than Thermage, requiring small puncture sites to enter the skin with the laser cannula. With Thermage the patient can usually return to work immediately. Smart Lipo patients usually take 2 days off work.

A local anesthesia is used with Smart Lipo making it virtually painless. Thermage is usually performed without anesthesia and there is a mild to moderate burning sensation.

Thermage can be used around the eyes and on the upper lip to improve wrinkles which Smart Lipo cannot. We use other technologies at the O'Neil Skin and Lipo Medical Center for these types of improvements.

In Summary, Thermage is a safe and practical treatment for non-invasive skin tightening but if the area to be tightened has any degree of fat results will be more gratifying with Smart Lipo.

(Click on images to enlarge)

(In a patient like this a large amount of fat was removed during the Smart Lipo Treatment. The skin tightening, caused by the Smart Lipo laser was remarkable.)

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