Thermage or CO2 Laser for Tightening the Skin on the Face?

Thermage is a non-inasive technique and C02 laser is an ablative technique. Co2 laser treatment will require a downtime of approcximately 3-7 days to heal the skin depending on the strength, depth and tightening required.. However, with the CO2 laser treatment results are a lot more pronounced in overall tightening the skin and even the skin pimentation. We routinely achieve excellent results in our patients.  There is a relatively new technique with no downtime and non-invasive known as Ulthera, which can also tighten the jwls and neck area. When you combine the two techniques together Ulthera or Thermage with fractional co2 laser (e.g Pixel) you get the best and most long lasting results in my experience – short of plastic surgery.

Thermage tightens existing collagen and stimulates the production of new collagen.  The placement of the pulses also causes lifting of the jawline and tightening of the eyelids.   If you are not yet ready for surgery, Thermage would be perfect for now but still allows for surgery in the future.

Fractional CO2 laser resurfaces the skin, gives some tightening (but not lifting as with Thermage) and minimizes fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation.  It can be used in combination with Thermage to give the best result.

Your redness will not be addressed by either Thermage or CO2 laser resurfacing.  You should consider intense pulsed light or pulsed dye laser treatments for the redness, perhaps combined with photodynamic therapy to help reverse your sundamage.

You should consult a dermatologist who offers all of these treatments and can propose a plan for you.

Dear patient, speaking as someone who offers both laser and Thermage, I can tell you that realistically neither treatment will help with your "turkey neck". You may be a candidate for surgery. CO2 would help with fine lines and improve any discoloration and skin. And Thermage would tighten your skin, but it will be subtle.