Cosmetic Surgery Blog

 I had Thermage a few years ago because it was supposed to be the newest, greatest, blah blah blah.  This was before my brow lift and I was looking for a little pick me up, a little more exotic arching of the brows. You know how it goes.  My friend over at Fox news had called and wanted to know if I planned on getting it so I said sure, why not.  SO off we went to Manhattan Beach…

Thermacool, aka Thermage, is a non-invasive procedure which utilizes radio requency to cause a thermal wound response (heating the tissue) from within to trigger collagen to grow.  This tightens the skin slightly directly lafter the procedure and moreso once your collagen forms and contracts at about 3 to 6 months post-treatment.  Sounds great, right? Well, radiofrequency can also burst fat cells.  So the trick is to superheat the dermis,  not the fat cells.

I had filmed a few short moments before the need for a topical anesthetic was imposed on me ;)  So off went the make up and on went the anesthetic. I thought we were finished until the actual procedure. Well, it turns out they needed some more pre-procedure footage and an interview so off came the anesthetic and on went the make-up again. Ugh!  let me tell you how weird that felt.  Try putting make up when you can’t feel your face. 

It was time fore the procedure so of course by this time the anesthetic had started to wear off.  My doctor, Gail Humble M.D., stuck a ground wire to my stomach and gave me a stress ball to squeeze—I should have known this wasn’t going to be pleasant.  O H  M Y  G O D.  Let me tell you how much Thermacool hurts when you get it without anesthetic.   It’s like torture!!!  It better be worth it I thought to myself.  Even with the cooling spray before each radiofrequency burst, it still is painful.

Well, halway through I couldn’t take it anymore so she gave me a nerve block.  But even with a nerve block there were “break-through areas” of pain. The temple area was maddening, I thought I was going to go insane.   But all for beauty I thought.  March on. Besides, a lot of the people on the forums were interested in how I felt and seeing the beforeand after pics because they were considering it, as well. 

I was pretty swollen after the procedure, I looked like Worf from Star Trek.  This was not a good look for me.  But, like I said…MARCH ON!  Days go by and I am pretty much still sensitive, I am sore and I am swollen so I start second guessing myself.  Should I have done it?? 

It took a few months to truly see any measureable difference, however the lift didn’t last but about 7 months.  Definitely not worth the risks, the expense or the pain. I have to say in hindsight I wouldn’t have gotten the procedure.  I don’t recommend it because of the fat atrophy a few people I know experienced.  I know you may have heard that it was an impossibility but I know people first hand who have experienced it.  I feel I may have had a little because I am certainly not as cushy on the forehead anymore.  I feel it just isn’t worth the risk in areas with very little fat.  But, go with what you know and feel.  Talk to those who have had the procedure and discuss with them what they think.

I personally would pass. The cost is about $3000. and honestly that’s half a brow lift.