Study
Published in Facial Plastic Surgery Journal Finds Selective Heating
of
Fibrous Septae Key to Success and Safety of Thermage® ThermaCool™ System
HAYWARD, Calif. - June 20, 2005. Research published
today in the June/July 2005 issue of
Facial Plastic Surgery Journal (FPSJ) further validates the unique
mechanism of action produced deep
within the skin by the Thermage® ThermaCool™ System's monopolar
radiofrequency (RF) energy. While
the immediate tissue tightening and dermal collagen remodeling effects
produced by the ThermaCool
system have been well established since the device's introduction
in 2002, according to lead author Manoj
T. Abraham, M.D., Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department
of Otolaryngology-Head and
Neck Surgery, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, selective
heating and tightening of the
fibrous "threads" that run through the fat (subcutaneous
fibrous septae) better explain visible contouring
changes that are unique to the Thermage Procedure.
In the paper titled "Current Concepts in Nonablative Radiofrequency
Rejuvenation of the Lower
Face and Neck," Dr. Abraham credits research findings by co-author
E. Victor Ross, M.D., Scripps Clinic
in La Jolla, California, with first documenting the unique properties
of monopolar radiofrequency to
selectively heat and tighten the natural fibrous septae threads that
give facial skin its structure and shape."When radiofrequency
energy is delivered within the skin, it favors the path of least
resistance to tighten and remodel collagen-which, in this case, is
the fibrous septae," says
Dr. Abraham. "If you think of
the skin's inner framework as plumbing, radiofrequency energy is
delivered like water and empties through
the channels of fibrous septae producing the tightening that is seen.
Unless the channels overflow with
radiofrequency energy, there should be minimal overflow of heating
to the fat tissue."
"This new research about selective heating of fibrous septae has
deepened our understanding of
how capacitively coupled RF is able to achieve its unique contouring
effect without damaging the fat,"
said Mitch Levinson, Vice President of Research and Development for
Thermage. "The electric current
finds its path of least resistance through the fibrous septae, so
most of the heating effect is in the
collagenous fibrous septae threads that connect the dermis to the
fascia, and not in the fat layer."
Thermage has continually refined its radiofrequency technology to
maximize results while
ensuring patient safety. Last year, the company introduced and trained
its physician users on an enhanced
treatment algorithm that supports the role of selectively heating
fibrous septae.According to Mr. Levinson, "The same immediate
collagen contraction and dermal remodeling that
we observe in the dermis is happening in the deeper structural collagen
as well. And for all the same reasons
that the new treatment approach works in the dermis, the use of multiple
passes at moderate treatment levels
also optimizes the contouring effects while minimizing pain and adverse
events."
The Thermage procedure offers physicians and their patients a non-invasive
skin-tightening and
contouring option without the downtime and recovery period associated
with invasive cosmetic procedures
such as conventional lifting surgery, liposuction and laser treatments.
Commercially launched in July 2002,
the Thermage ThermaCool device is cleared by the FDA for the treatment
of facial wrinkles and rhytids
adding to its clearance obtained in November 2002 for treatment of
the periorbital area (around the eyes). "Understanding
the complex mechanism of action delivered by the ThermaCool System
is vital to enhancing future clinical outcomes and expanding treatment
parameters beyond the face and neck," adds Dr.
Abraham. "Monopolar radiofrequency technology will play an increasingly
important role in future facial
rejuvenation and body contouring."
NEW
THERMAGE® TREATMENT
NEWS AND INFORMATION
Thermage®
photos: Phoenix Scottsdale Chandler Mesa |
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Note
the change in the appearance of her eyes after thermage. |
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Tightening of the neck, jawline and the skin folds by her mouth after thermage. |
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This
patient has noticeably "younger" eyes after 4
weeks thermage treatment. |
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Notice
the tightening of the neck under the jawline after thermage. |
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Notice the tightening
of the neck under the jawline after one thermage treatment. |
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Tightening
of the neck, jawline and improve wrinkles around the eyes
after thermage. |
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Tightening
of the neck, jawline and the skin folds by her mouth after
thermage. |
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| At 10 months
after a single session of Thermage, one pass was done at
a setting of 13.5 with the 1-cm standard tip. Note improvement
below eyes. Photo by Javier Ruiz-Esparza, MD |
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45-year-old
man 6 months after a single Thermage treatment session
on the zygomatic areas (three passes at a setting of
13.0, a standard 1-cm tip). Notice that hypertrophy of
muscle on his left lower eyelid was not changed , but
skin laxity was improved. Photo by Javier
Ruiz-Esparza, MD |
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| A 62-year-old
woman with lower eyelid bags at 5 weeks after a single
Thermage treatment at a setting of 13.5. Photo by Javier
Ruiz-Esparza, MD |
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| Lateral
view of the woman in above figure before treatment and
5 weeks after a single Thermage treatment session with
a single pass at settings of 13.5. Note improvement below
eyes. Photo by Javier Ruiz-Esparza, MD |
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| Photos provided by Richard
Burgmeier MD, Dr Neil Sadick, Julio Barbad Javier Ruiz-Esparza
, Roy Geronemus and Dr Rapaport |
