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POSTED UNDER Thermage REVIEWS

Thermage Has Destroyed my Face - Chico, CA

ORIGINAL POST

I had Thermage done in January 2007. I had no...

janettehuffJune 11, 2007
$2,200
I had Thermage done in January 2007. I had no redness, swelling after the procedure. One week later I started feeling a pulling down sensation on my lower face. Also I felt my mouth was paralized. I called the nurse who performed the treatment and she said that I could have some sensations and it was normal. I went in three weeks later as I was getting very nervous and pictures were taken when compared to the originals you could see sagging skin and face thinning. She tried to say you cant really tell as the lighting is different even though it was the same camera everything. By month 3 I went back to talk to the doctor as everything is now mush in my face and neck. He said we could do it again and see if that would help. No way. After 4 I am have lost all the fat in my temples, eyes, cheeks, neck and it all sags. I still have pulling down sensation that I now feel has moved to other parts of my body. Has anyone ever had it affect other locations where it was not applied. I have strech mark like lines on the jaw and checks. Everyday it seems to be getting worse. I only had some slight loose neck and under chin and was advised that it would be good maintence. When I went in the last time they did not want to take pictures. I insisted and when the nurse asked the doctor should I develop them he said no. I insisted and you could see that my whole face has changed shape. I am terrified and could use any information availible on this.

Replies (14)

(unregistered guest)
June 24, 2007
I would like to contact JanetHuff, I too had thermage done on my whole face on May 15 in Sydney, and am experiencing terrible stretching around the sides of my face and in my forehead. I was encouraged by the doctor to have some Botox on my forehead and around my eyes, and thought that this might have been the cause, I too am terrified, and feel like no one is able to help me. It has been suggested to me that some of my symptoms are psychosomatic, because i initially was feeling tingling and wanted to know why so looked up the net and saw all the horror stories,and of course am anxious that this will happen to me. I went back to my doctor who performed the procedure about 3 weeks ago and she remarked on how I had had great results already and not to worry nothing bad would happen to me. I am now constantly on the phone to her and she has told me that no one else has had my symptoms. She has been doing this procedure for 3 years. I just want to feel well, I feel this has ruined my life. I did feel like the tingling was running down my arms and also thought I could fee pulling just under my breast bone. I don't know how much of the pulling sensation I can take. I am so scared and anxious. I really need help and feel no one understands how I feel. I would welcome any help from anyone who had dealt with all of this successfully. Today the stretching was very hard to bear.especially
(unregistered guest)
June 25, 2007
"I would like to contact JanetHuff" You can... just click her username and then the "Contact" button.
(unregistered guest)
June 25, 2007
I have been having the pulling sensation in other parts of my body also and am told that this has never been heard of before. I know that what is happening to me is caused by the thermage procedure that I had.
(unregistered guest)
August 25, 2007
After some reading up, it looks like this is a less-than-advertised possibility for Thermage. There was also a before-and-after picture of a blonde woman who had documented her procedure, if you search, that were fairly horrific. Most spas will have you sign a form agreeing to binding arbitration, but I believe that there was a lawsuit going on, at some point, by patients damaged by Thermage. In short: If the doctor or tech sets the laser too high, it penetrates deeper than the dermal layer that it is supposed to heat and contract, and begins to destroy the subcutaneous fat layer beneath. Over time, this causes the fat to die off, and causes the face to thin and sag. I don't know what else to tell you, or even if this is what you are experiencing for certain, but keep us updated?
swg123
May 11, 2014
Where can I find before and after pics? I have had terrible experience with thermage. I need support and help!
(unregistered guest)
February 28, 2008
hi everyone, i went to a very well known dr {edited} in the uk which is where i live and had this done aswell but i feel that what everyone else is expierencing is happning to me aswell. I feel that for a 23 year old i now look about 28-30 due to sagging of the skin & sunken cheeks! i am really deppressed. i paid £3000 pounds for this & all iv been offerred is to either have it done again of a fraxel treament dr {edited} aslo keeps telling me thermage cant make me look worse ect....what should i do ?? has any1 else got any advice ?? Editor note: you must join RealSelf so you can be contacted privately with doctor recommendations and feedback. This requires free registration for an account. When registering you must opt-in to receiving private contacts (a check box).
Cymnbrock
January 19, 2012
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swg123
May 11, 2014
can you email me. stefg@optonline.net I am scared and it has happened to me 2-4 months after thermage. I don't want to go out of the house... I am scared. When does the destruction stop.
swg123
May 15, 2014
When does fat atrophy and wrinkling end. Are there any fixes - looking to this community for some help and guidance. I think other dermatologists scared of touching a damaged situation???
fitnesschick20
May 6, 2015
did you find any solution??
llovespups
September 2, 2015
My laser damage progressed rapidly starting right after the treatment. It slowed way down at about 4 months out. In the beginning there is chronic inflammation which can cause more damage. I believe there's also a serious issue with the skin barrier being compromised which increases the risk for infection. I started using Manuka Honey which fights bacterial, fungal and viral infections and helps with healing. I would wear it like a mask for hours and hours whenever I could, sometimes daily. I definitely got improvement with electronic needling, single needling (for laser holes), and saline injections for indented scars. Castor oil helped me with the extreme dryness I had for a long time, and I think it helps in general with laser damage issues. Some people have had a good amount of healing from rotating between peels and needling. I didn't do peels b/c the laser damage thinned my skin. Needling thickens skin so that was a better option for me. Some people have had success with fat transfers (research carefully as there's a high rate of complications) or other procedures like facelifts. Lots of people post laser damage get ha fillers to replace lost volume. BHA helped me with laser induced acne, and some of the fine lines, and texture issues that resulted. Good luck!!
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