Facelift like results from Fraxel and Thermage

Fractionated Erbium laser resurfacing is primarily to achieve improvement in sundamaged skin to correct pigment and vascular changes.  It requires 3 or four sessions.  I personally prefer a one procedure treatment with Active Fx, another fractional laser system. Thermage is done once and is a radiofrequency based system that tightens by causing a deep skin injury that results in new collagen formation that takes 3-4 months to occur.  Combined they are effective BUT are absolutely not a facelift.  They are very useful for the patient who sees early changes of sagging and wrinkling but who is not ready for, or cannot afford, a facelift.  In general, younger patients (in their 40's) have the best results with Thermage and Fraxel.