A particularly gentle and yet effective skin tightening without surgery – that’s what thermal lifting, also called radio frequency therapy, promises. STYLEBOOK spoke to a specialist and explains all the advantages and risks of the lifting method.
What is radiofrequency therapy?
“Thermal lifting, also called radio wave therapy or Thermage, describes a lifting method that works using radio frequency technology,” says Dr. Clemens Fritsch, specialist in dermatology, venereology and allergology in Düsseldorf. “The skin is treated with a special device that emits high-frequency radio waves. The resulting heat heats up the connective tissue, which leads to the tightening and formation of the body’s own collagen fibers. The tissue is regenerated in depth without damaging the layers of the skin. The warming thermal effect only applies to the lower layers of the skin, as the upper skin is pleasantly cooled at the same time.”
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How does the method work: 2 mechanisms of action
1. Warming of the collagen fibers
“The radio frequency energy, which are the electromagnetic oscillations of the radio waves, heat the collagen fibers in the deeper layers of the skin. In doing so, they shrink and thus minimize the distance between the muscles and the dermis,” says Dr. Fritsch. This process, also known as shrinking, can last up to two days and has an immediate tightening effect on the skin from the inside out.
2. Fibroblast stimulation
The radio frequency waves also stimulate the fibroblasts to produce collagen. This effect even lasts for a few months and thus leads to a lasting tightened, contoured complexion.
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Why is collagen so valuable for young skin?
“Collagen is a structural protein in the human body and an essential part of the skin. It is largely responsible for a firm, youthful complexion,” explains Dr. Fresh up. “Collagen is mainly produced in fibroblasts, chondroblasts, osteoblasts and odontoblasts. Collagen, which together with the proteoglycans that are also formed, ensures increased strength of the extracellular matrix and thus elasticity, forms a kind of framework over which the dermis and connective tissue stretch. Unfortunately, as we age, natural collagen production decreases, causing the skin to sag and form wrinkles.”
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What does radio frequency therapy promise?
Radio frequency therapy can be used almost anywhere on the body. However, it is particularly suitable for tightening the entire face, neck and décolleté and promises smoothing of wrinkles, improved skin elasticity, visible contouring and a plump, taut complexion.
In the eye area
Reduction of droopy eyelids, bags under the eyes, crow’s feet
In the face
Tightening and contouring of the entire face, double chin, sagging cheeks, sagging cheeks, tired complexion
In the neck and décolleté area
Tightening of the wrinkles, reduction of the so-called turkey neck
Benefits of radiofrequency therapy
Thermal lifting is a non-invasive skin rejuvenation method, i.e. without the use of a scalpel. Accordingly, no local anesthetic is necessary. It is also considered to be particularly gentle, painless and safe.
During radio wave therapy, the skin’s own regeneration is stimulated. This has the advantage that the treatment effect lasts six to twelve months or even longer and thus also significantly longer than, for example, injections with wrinkle fillers.
Another advantage is that the method promises a very natural result, as it does not completely remove wrinkles, but only smoothes them out. Since the method is gentle, it can be repeated regularly and even counteracts skin aging very effectively in the long term. Thermal lifting is suitable for all skin types. The dose of radio waves emitted is adjusted to the needs and skin type of each patient.
The gentle method and the short treatment time of around 20 minutes allow the patient to go about their usual activities immediately after the application. There is no need to worry about downtime, taking medication for aftercare or scarring. After the treatment, you should avoid the sun for a week and wear sunscreen.
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Disadvantages and risks of thermal lifting
As a rule, you have to wait up to two weeks for a first visible result and up to six months for a clear result, since the collagen fibers need this time to form and restructure. In rare cases, short-term redness and slight swelling may occur.
costs and treatment period
Six to ten treatments of 20 minutes each are recommended for optimal results. Depending on the patient, there should be one to four weeks between sessions. For a long-term anti-aging effect, ideally refresh the treatment every twelve weeks. The costs per treatment and skin region can be between 80 and 120 euros.
Where else is radiofrequency therapy used?
In medicine, radio frequency therapy also treats varicose veins and chronic heartburn. There, their ability has proven itself, the formation of taut connective tissue, here z. B. in the legs and the walls of the esophagus to stimulate.
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– with expert advice from dr Fritsch and Dr. moussaspecialists in dermatology, venereology and allergology in Düsseldorf