WHAT IS IT: Thermage FLX
WHAT FOR: wrinkles + fine lines + volume loss + skin tightening + rejuvenation
WHERE: Skin Renu, Balmain, Sydney
RATING: 5/5
Let me start by saying: it’s not all talk. There really is a way to tighten skin and smooth wrinkles without needles or surgery, with natural-looking, long-lasting results.
But let’s go back to the beginning. With middle age now firmly entrenched on my face, I was noticing more and more fine lines and wrinkles forming, most noticeably around my eyes. What’s more (and maybe even more bothersome), my skin was starting to sag and my face was slowly but surely losing those softly angled contours of youth. Enough was enough! It was time to take ageing in my own hands and show her who was boss.
After a friend recommended Skin Renu as the answer to all my skin ageing woes, I made an appointment to see them and discuss my options.
Skin Renu is a beautiful, light-filled laser and skin rejuvenation clinic in the heart of Balmain and I immediately felt comfortable and at ease. I was greeted by the beautiful and sunny Practice Manager Sylvia Down before meeting with Senior Dermal Therapist Jessica Lynch, who listened to my needs and concerns (I had a lot!) and assessed my skin and face.
Jessica explained that, during ageing, the elastin and collagen in the skin breaks down faster than the body can rebuild it. This causes wrinkles, skin laxity and pockets of loose, sagging skin (hello, dat me!).
She recommended Thermage FLX, the gold standard in non-surgical skin laxity, which will stimulate the production of new connective tissue in the dermis and rebuild and reinforce the skin from within.
Only one 90-minute treatment is needed with Thermage, it’s comfortable and there is no downtime.
Like a bandit, I booked in Thermage FLX treatment for the following week.
What is Thermage FLX?
Thermage uses radiofrequency technology to heat the skin and stimulate the renewal of collagen in the skin’s deeper layers. The heat energy is focused at a precise depth within the skin and cooling technology is used to protect the upper epidermal layers.
What Thermage feels like
Thermage FLX is non-invasive, so there was very little to do to prepare for my treatment. I was told to make sure I came in well hydrated as RF, the energy modality of Thermage FLX, works better on well-hydrated patients.
Jessica kept me well informed of what to expect and I was told there may be some discomfort or the feeling of pressure during treatment (I didn’t experience any).
As the handpiece was applied to my face in small sections, I could feel slight pressure and a deep, but brief, warming sensation – apparently an indication that collagen is reaching an effective temperature for tightening and remodelling – followed by a cooling sensation that protects skin and helps ensure your comfort. I felt no pain or discomfort and it was really quite comfortable.
Once half my face was done, Jessica asked me to look in the mirror and see the improvements already. The skin on the treated side of my face looked lifted, especially my brow area. My treated side was definitely higher than the other. This was good!
Of course, we didn’t stop there and Jessica went back to work de-ageing the other side of my face.
After around 90 minutes, my treatment was complete. I felt very relaxed (not often I get to lay back and relax without two kids in tow) and my skin instantly looked more refreshed and tight – and no swelling in sight.
The beauty of Thermage FLX is that there is an immediate tightening effect on existing collagen structures, and then continued improvement over the next six months as collagen production is activated. So you get the best of both worlds – instant improvement with continued results as your collagen kicks into overdrive over the next few months.
A few weeks in after my treatment and I’m still doing happy dances – my skin looks smoother and more contoured for an overall younger appearance.
Final verdict?
We shall have to see the extent of my skin tightening over the next few months (results will peak around six months and then could last up to a year). As I mentioned before, the Thermage technology achieves an immediate visual improvement as the existing collagen is tightened. New collagen, however, does take time to grow. Continuing improvements are visible from around three months and continue to improve for up to six months.
If you’re after a natural-looking and non-invasive alternative to facelift surgery (without any downtime), I highly recommend Thermage FLX and the team at Skin Renu.
PS. Now I’m thinking of going back to have Thermage FLX to tighten my tummy!
