Who Is It For
The Body Thermage CPT procedure is a new method to tighten, lift, and smooth the skin of the body. At the Santa Monica Laser and Skin Care Center, we are using the Body Thermage CPT procedure to tighten, lift, and smooth the skin of the abdomen, which is commonly loose after pregnancy and weight loss, and the skin of the thighs. Anyone with mild to moderate laxity of the skin in these areas is a good candidate for the Body Thermage CPT.
CPT stands for comfort pulse technology. Thermage CPT incorporates new technological advances in the Thermage treatment tips that make the Thermage CPT treatment much more comfortable for our patients.
In addition to the more comfortable comfort pulse technology, the Body Thermage CPT procedure offers many additional advantages over the original Body Thermage. Its most important advantage is that it allows us to make ten to twelve passes over the tissues instead of the five to six passes that we used to make with the original Thermage. As a result, Body Thermage CPT treatments are far more effective than the original Body Thermage treatments.
In addition, another major advantage of the new Body Thermage CPT is its innovative 16-centimeter treatment tip. This new tip is over five times larger than the 3-centimeter tip that used to be used for Thermage treatment of the abdomen and body. As a result of this new treatment tip, treatments can now be completed much more quickly and much more comfortably for our patients. For example, whereas an abdominal treatment with the original Thermage unit used to require approximately 1200 pulses and at least two hours of time, with the Thermage CPT and the new16-centimeter tip, the procedure can be completed with 300 to 400 pulses and in approximately one hour.
Abdominal Thermage CPT is a good treatment for patients who have mild to moderate laxity of the abdominal tissues as a result of either significant weight loss or childbirth. Patients considering abdominal Thermage CPT treatment should be within ten or fifteen pounds of their ideal body weight.
In addition to its use on the abdomen, the new 16-centimeter tip can also be used on the thighs to tighten and smooth the skin in the thigh and knee area. The procedure on the thighs is similar to that of the abdomen, and results in visible smoothing of the skin.
How It Works
During the Body Thermage procedure, the treatment tip simultaneously heats and cools the skin. It emits radio frequency energy to heat the collagen in the deeper skin layers while simultaneously protecting the top layers of the skin with a cooling spray. The heating action causes the collagen in the deeper layers of the skin to tighten immediately. In addition, it stimulates new collagen production, which further enhances the result.
There is no downtime with the Body Thermage CPT procedure, and patients can resume all of their normal activities immediately after leaving the office.
Results
The combined action of the immediate tightening of collagen and the production of new collagen results in a tighter skin, skin smoothing, and a more youthful appearance. Because treatment occurs at the fundamental level of collagen contraction and new collagen formation, the results are longer lasting and should persist for years. The optimum result is generally achieved approximately four months following the procedure. At that time, if a patient wishes, the procedure can be repeated to further enhance the result.
Following an abdominal Thermage CPT procedure, patients can expect their abdominal tissues to appear tighter. The procedure on the thighs is similar to that of the abdomen, and results in visible smoothing of the skin in the thigh area.
Patients who would like to improve the appearance of their abdomen or thighs without surgery are invited to make an appointment with either Dr. Amerian or Dr. Anterasian.