Thermage works by using radiofrequency energy.  This energy tightens the collagen – the framework that supports the skin and keeps it from sagging and developing wrinkles.  The energy aims for the different layers of the skin – strengthening it and producing long-lasting results that you can enjoy for years.  What’s more, it is also subtle – the improvements are there and people will be wondering out loud that you look great but will be hard put to identify the treatment you have had.

Thermage is also useful in redefining the contours of the face without the surgical incisions that people once had to undergo.  It allows you to age gracefully – to look young and refreshed for your age.

The treatment usually takes an hour, although this may vary depending on the degree of damage you want fixed.  This skin care treatment is already approved by the FDA.  It makes use of a device that releases energy pulses that last from two to seven seconds. The entire treatment is composed of some 400 to 500 pulses.  These are targeted towards the deep skin layers so as to heat the collagen underneath the skin.

During the treatment, there may also be some mild pinching or burning sensation.  The doctor will apply a local anesthetic to the area to be treated or you may also be given some pain medication.  Also, with this skin care treatment, the possible side effects, although rare, include swelling, peeling, redness and blisters, particularly in the treated area.   These are just temporary and will disappear in a few days, or at worse, a few weeks.

You may need several touch-ups of Thermage to maintain the appearance.  Also, because aging still occurs, you may eventually need to look into an alternative cosmetic procedure.  It is best to discuss with your cosmetic doctor the best options for you to take.  The doctor will take your age, physical and psychological condition in his efforts to provide you with a skin care treatment plan that is well-suited for your needs.

Here’s how it works: Plasma is applied to the skin under local anesthesia by the use of a hand piece.  This tool just goes over the area, without it ever touching your skin.  The plasma flow of nitrogen that is ionized uses thermal energy to revive tire and dull skin.  Treatment for the full face lasts for about half an hour and will not provide immediate side effects such as discoloration or a burnt face.  With the treatment, heat is evenly absorbed by the skin and the result is amazing production of elastin and collagen.  Thus, you have healthy new tissue that makes the skin fresher and revitalized.  You can feel the improvement immediately, even as you experience a slight warming in the treated area.

These skin care treatments are used to get rid not just of wrinkles but also blemishes, blotches, acne scars and skin damage caused by the sun.   It can also treat eye bags and uneven pigmentation not just in the face but also on the chest, neck and the back of the hands.  It can also be used to concentrate on problems commonly found around the eyes and mouth.

After the treatment, you should do your best to stay away from the sun.  Also, apply some cream on the treated spots to make sure that these heal properly.  Depending on the level of plasma is used on the skin, the healing process may take from 5 to 10 days, at which time, the old skin peels away to give way to the growth of the new skin.  You should also avoid the temptation of peeling the skin yourself.  Just let it heal naturally and in time it effectively will.

You should expect some mild irritation, itching and redness, which is normal after such skin care treatments.  You can place a piece of ice on the treated areas to solve these problems.

This skin care treatment works by providing heat to the supporting framework – the fibers that are composed of collagen and elastin on the layers of your skin.  This applied heat causes the “framework” to contract – and thus tighten.  Also, the heat encourages the production of new collagen – that is why this treatment is also called collagen remodeling.

As heat (from the laser) is applied to the skin, a cooling system is also used so as to prevent damage to the skin in general.  The heat is applied to the lower layers of the skin even while the upper and outer layers are cooled.  This works perfectly well for those who want to get rid of sagging skin, without the risk and pain of invasive surgery.

The result?  You will have a dramatic improvement on the overall look of your skin.  It feels smoother, tighter and more youthful looking.  The wrinkles are magically gone and you immediately feel as great as you look.  The great thing is that the improvements last long, as the skin has more collagen and thus more support for the skin.

The skin care treatment usually lasts for one hour.  There is no need to fret about the treatment as it is relatively painless.  Thus, you would not need any anesthesia.  You can also expect to get back to your normal routine right after the treatment session.

Before the treatment, you will do well to be prepared.  Although, the treatment is quickly over and done with, it takes longer time to prepare for the treatment.  You should be careful to stay away from the sun for three to four weeks and generously apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 25.  You should also avoid using creams that use Vitamin A (those that have Retin-A and Tretinoin).  You may need more than one treatment to get the best results.  The number and level of treatments really depend on what you need, with regards to the size and location of the skin that you want to tighten.  However, this is definitely cheaper than a surgical face lift.

Side effects you should expect are the common ones for these types of skin care treatments: temporary reddening of the skin, as well as changes in pigmentation of the treated areas.

This FDA-approved treatment makes use of light – the kind that is narrow-banded and high-intensity, no lasers or ultraviolet light. Unlike lasers, blue light does not generate heat, so sebaceous glands are not damaged.

However, blue light, when applied to the skin, effectively fights the bacteria that cause acne without burning the skin.  The bacteria are commonly found in the skin’s sebaceous glands and are the ones responsible for break outs.  It also encourages the production of a substance that promotes the healing response of the skin, even as it kills the bacteria.  Acne Blue Light Therapy is usually targeted towards those suffering from mild to moderate acne.

The procedure itself is quickly over and done with.  You basically need about half an hour for this skin care treatment, which is relatively painless and hassle-free.  You can go back to your normal daily schedule with hardly any discomfort or pain.

You will not immediately see the results of the treatment.  It takes some time (and several sessions) for this to produce the optimal effect.  The ideal interval between sessions is two weeks.  The length of the treatment also really depends on how severe you acne problem is.  And, once you get the optimal results, you have to go back to your doctor monthly for maintenance sessions.

Blue Light Therapy also usually given in combination with a topical solution called Levulan (which is a photo-sensitizing solution).  This is applied to the skin before the blue light is used.

Some side effects you should expect after the treatment would be a burning sensation, redness and stinging.  There is also a possibility of an allergic reaction to Levulan.  So it best that before having the treatment, you should consult with your doctor.  You should also take this opportunity to talk to your doctor about what areas you want treated, as well as your pain tolerance levels, although for most, the treatment produces a similar level of pain sunburn produces.  The pain and swelling could usually be treated using ointments and ice packs.  After the treatment, you should care for your face by gently washing it.

Blue Light Therapy is also a skin care treatment used to treat melasma, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, varicose and spider veins, freckles, dark undereye circles and sun spots.

Aside from the usual chemical peel and microdermabrasion, there is actually a long list of treatments you can choose from.  Let’s take a quick look at some of the treatments you can have your cosmetic doctor provide you.

Acne Blue Light Therapy This therapy, which makes use of narrow-band and high intensity blue light, is an effective solution for those who have acne but who have become resistant to other treatments such as medications and ointments.  It is safe and non-invasive and nips acne right in the bud since it kills the bacteria that cause acne.

Laser Skin Tightening Laser has been found to have many cosmetic applications.  For this treatment, infrared light is applied to the skin to tighten it and thus remove the wrinkles.  The laser reaches deep down – below the top surface of the skin.  The laser encourages the skin to produce more collagen so that the skin is filled up and tighter.  What’s great about laser skin tightening is that you don’t have to suffer through a long downtime and pain that you will have to experience with the traditional face lift.

Plasma Skin Regeneration This anti-aging skin care treatment uses nitrogen plasma that promotes the regeneration of the tissues of the skin.  The treatment is quick and easy but shows obvious improvements on the texture of the skin, as well as skin tone and pigmentation.  Wrinkles are also visibly reduced.  These effects also last for quite some time.

Thermage This treatment uses radio waves to heat the lower layers of the skin so that more collagen is produced.  The skin becomes tighter, smoother and renewed.  The effects of this non-invasive treatment are also long-lasting.

These are just four of the popular skin care treatments you can avail of.  Other treatments you may want to consider include Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) and Laser Skin Resurfacing.

Separately, you might want to learn more about mens skin care.