POSTED UNDER Thermage REVIEWS
Thermage CPT: research it before doing it on your face
ORIGINAL POST
Hello Everyone, The story of how I managed to...
$1,800
Hello Everyone,
The story of how I managed to ruin my face forever begins like this:
I was starting a new job and thought I was beginning to look a little tired and showing my age fore the first time. I wanted a procedure that did not involve a face lift, cutting or lasers. I wanted something less invasive that would give me a subtle pick me up. Unfortunately, I listened to the esthetician at the med spa when she advised me to have Thermage, a radiofrequency device which is supposed to deliver "controlled heat damage" to the collagen in your skin to promote self healing from within. This probably DOES happen for some patients which is why you may read some good reviews and bad reviews, however, if you have thin, sensitive skin that easily becomes irritated by chemicals, winter weather, etc., this is not be the procedure for you. I definitely would not do it on your face, and if you do, please only have a DOCTOR or VERY experienced nurse do the procedure. I unknowingly had an inexperienced esthetician do it (which I only found out after the procedure that she was new) and now at the age of 48, my skin looks 75 and I am drooling out of one side of my mouth. I have huge unwanted fat volume loss and my facial contours have changed forever. I have ice pick scars and trench-like divots of fat loss all over my face. I have 1000's of white milia (bumps) and orange peel texture. I have hugely enlarged pores. Square and diamond shaped scars, huge bags under my eyes ..... I really cannot bare to take any pictures or look at myself in the mirror. I have aged 20 years since February (10 months ago) because of Thermage. I would give anything to turn back time and get my skin back the way it was before Thermage.
I am scheduled to see a neurologist for the facial paralysis and drooling and I will need several thousands of dollars in fat transfers and skin resurfacing treatments such as micro-needling, derma pen and PRP (platelet rich plasma) to save the skin on my face. My (deceased) Grandfather was a dermatologist and allergist, so my entire life I avoided the sun and wore sunscreen, I never smoked, never had acne, never had any prior damage of any sort to my face. My skin was beautiful because of a lifetime of clean living and sunscreen and in a one hour session, I damaged it forever, It is irreversible. Its bumpy, rough and red every day. I have leathery looking wrinkles. I have so much fat loss that my friends at a recent Christmas party asked me what happened to my face and if I had been sick or something. I now have triple bags and wrinkles under my eyes, on my forehead and chin and all along my jawline. The Thermage technician repeatedly passed the device over the same areas of my jaw, forehead and sides of mouth 15-20 times until I asked her why she was repeating those areas so often. She said "oh, that's where I am anchoring your skin to your face to pick it up", I wanted to get up and leave the room mid- procedure, I was really going to do it and I heard a little voice inside of me saying to just trust people and stop trying to control every situation. The ironic part of this is I am a medical device trainer, so I should have listened to my gut instincts when I felt like this girl did not know the device very well.
Long story short, I just want to save anyone else from getting this procedure done on their face. It it's WAY too risky because you have zero idea of how your skin will react to being melted or over treated by radiofrequency energy.
Take a look at the photos and judge for yourself. I tried to find the clearest "before" pics I could, the cell phone camera is all I have and it doesnt show the texture very well. I will try to see if I can upload more after finding a better camera.The PS's office where I had Thermage would not give me my chart and "before"photos when I requested it. Hmmm, sign of a guilty party don't you think? Very unethical practice to damage a patient's face and not even help to fix it. Sorry in advance for the sideways pics. No way to edit in the app and they are upright on my computer.
The story of how I managed to ruin my face forever begins like this:
I was starting a new job and thought I was beginning to look a little tired and showing my age fore the first time. I wanted a procedure that did not involve a face lift, cutting or lasers. I wanted something less invasive that would give me a subtle pick me up. Unfortunately, I listened to the esthetician at the med spa when she advised me to have Thermage, a radiofrequency device which is supposed to deliver "controlled heat damage" to the collagen in your skin to promote self healing from within. This probably DOES happen for some patients which is why you may read some good reviews and bad reviews, however, if you have thin, sensitive skin that easily becomes irritated by chemicals, winter weather, etc., this is not be the procedure for you. I definitely would not do it on your face, and if you do, please only have a DOCTOR or VERY experienced nurse do the procedure. I unknowingly had an inexperienced esthetician do it (which I only found out after the procedure that she was new) and now at the age of 48, my skin looks 75 and I am drooling out of one side of my mouth. I have huge unwanted fat volume loss and my facial contours have changed forever. I have ice pick scars and trench-like divots of fat loss all over my face. I have 1000's of white milia (bumps) and orange peel texture. I have hugely enlarged pores. Square and diamond shaped scars, huge bags under my eyes ..... I really cannot bare to take any pictures or look at myself in the mirror. I have aged 20 years since February (10 months ago) because of Thermage. I would give anything to turn back time and get my skin back the way it was before Thermage.
I am scheduled to see a neurologist for the facial paralysis and drooling and I will need several thousands of dollars in fat transfers and skin resurfacing treatments such as micro-needling, derma pen and PRP (platelet rich plasma) to save the skin on my face. My (deceased) Grandfather was a dermatologist and allergist, so my entire life I avoided the sun and wore sunscreen, I never smoked, never had acne, never had any prior damage of any sort to my face. My skin was beautiful because of a lifetime of clean living and sunscreen and in a one hour session, I damaged it forever, It is irreversible. Its bumpy, rough and red every day. I have leathery looking wrinkles. I have so much fat loss that my friends at a recent Christmas party asked me what happened to my face and if I had been sick or something. I now have triple bags and wrinkles under my eyes, on my forehead and chin and all along my jawline. The Thermage technician repeatedly passed the device over the same areas of my jaw, forehead and sides of mouth 15-20 times until I asked her why she was repeating those areas so often. She said "oh, that's where I am anchoring your skin to your face to pick it up", I wanted to get up and leave the room mid- procedure, I was really going to do it and I heard a little voice inside of me saying to just trust people and stop trying to control every situation. The ironic part of this is I am a medical device trainer, so I should have listened to my gut instincts when I felt like this girl did not know the device very well.
Long story short, I just want to save anyone else from getting this procedure done on their face. It it's WAY too risky because you have zero idea of how your skin will react to being melted or over treated by radiofrequency energy.
Take a look at the photos and judge for yourself. I tried to find the clearest "before" pics I could, the cell phone camera is all I have and it doesnt show the texture very well. I will try to see if I can upload more after finding a better camera.The PS's office where I had Thermage would not give me my chart and "before"photos when I requested it. Hmmm, sign of a guilty party don't you think? Very unethical practice to damage a patient's face and not even help to fix it. Sorry in advance for the sideways pics. No way to edit in the app and they are upright on my computer.
wantmyskinback's provider
UPDATED FROM wantmyskinback
10 months post
More photos taken 9 and 10 months after Thermage
I found some better photos taken with a different camera. They show the texture damage, the divots and other scars in better detail. Sorry in advance for so many photos, but I feel they really show what can happen and why to avoid radiofrequency treatments on the face.
Replies (132)
December 11, 2015
Thank you... I was going to do it with a young nurse, thank you...I was going to do this next week instead of a light neck lift... sounds like I better stick to the earlier... neck lift... boy... how are you doing?
December 11, 2015
Hi Josrphine, im sure results vary depending on the person applying the treatment. If you do decide to do it, its better to start out with weaker energy settings and make sure they are moving it around evenly. It does tighten skin and definitely does reduce fat, but not evenly. I would consider an actual surgical neck lift over this treatment if I had it all to do over again. Good luck whatever you decide!
December 12, 2015
Yes... I am considering the surgery... period... just for the neck and minimally the chin line.... I am scared to start looking like the Joker... or Cher... or others... it is okay to age... gracefully... not painfully... fillers and all what a crazy industry... if I do this surgery ... it is the only one I will do... and if I do thermage... it will be on my knees or my elbows... one day... thank you so much for your kind response...
December 14, 2015
I too had Thermage from a so called good quality clinic, I had used the Dr before for other procedures, so when turning 50, I saved up and had Thermage at his clinic, A very young female clinician "Alice" did the procedure, the damage done was horrendous. I was off work for over 3 months with such severe burns that my daughter could not look at me with sobbing. I was placed under the care of a specialist Dermatologist whose first words to me were, ' you are a Microwave cooking from the inside out'. For 3 months I dressed like a Muslim woman with a full face covering. I spent days in hospital, and even now 2 years later, my skin will never be the same. I feel your pain an my thoughts are with you.
December 17, 2015
Im so sorry to hear about your damage. Mine is so severe I cannot bear to think how it will look in 2-3 years. Have you had any treatments that helped?
December 18, 2015
My Sister took me to see a naturopath who made up a tonic and a skin cream which over a period of months improved the texture of my skin. I now use no commercial face creams on my face as they burn my skin. I buy pure natural Vitamin E capsules ( not the synthetic vitamin E) and squeeze out the oil and rub it into my skin morning an night, I have an oxygen facial and massage once every 6 weeks and although not what it used to be, it is much improved. The facial fat loss will never be replaced, but the texture is much better. The burns to my eyes caused about a 30% loss of vision and even that has improved. I went from not needing glasses to having to wear glasses every day all day, I cannot wear contacts as the burns have left ridges all over the lenses of my eyes. Massage and the pure E have been a god send and though sounding simple it has helped immensely. You are beautiful and very inspiring sharing your photo's, It is because of ladies like you that will spare others from going through what we have. God Bless
December 24, 2015
Thanks for the kind words and I pray for your continued improvement:-) I will seek natural doctors next.
December 15, 2015
I am so sorry, for you, for me,for all the others who have been subjected to this. I too had thermage 2 yrs ago, with a very experienced, high profile , provider. My damage is less, but still ageing and evident. The worst thing I've ever done. I hope there will be catch up for these people who seem to think it's okay to take a risk with our faces. I hope you're finding a way forward, and that there are some good ,helpful treatments. I would be interested to know what helps?. My heart goes out to you. You still look beautiful, but as someone who has experienced this, I completely understand that you feel shrunk from within.xxxx sally
December 23, 2015
Hi Calum, yes, I would be thrilled to hear some remedies that could help even if its slight.
December 23, 2015
Hi Wantmyskinback,
I sympathize with you completely. Do you think you might try fillers? I had my face melted by IPL and don't know what I should do to fix the damage. My ps recommended a mini facelift which I am not doing at the age of 35. Sorry you are living the same nightmare.
December 23, 2015
I tried fillers but from my dermatologist and it didnt help because he isnt very experienced with them . I might try snother doc. Im looking at ones in LA and Orange county as they have more experience than docs where I live. Im sure it wont be cheap, plus the flight, but worth it to get some closure. I am going to give it another try. Im also very sorry you are going throuh this too. Its hell and we have to cough up money to fix their mistake.
December 23, 2015
You could check out some nurses too. A lot of them only do fillers so they have more experience.
December 23, 2015
I recommend Dr. Timothy Miller, Aliso Viejo, California. He is the best facial plastic surgeon in Orange County. He does face & neck only. Good luck !!!
I lived in Livonia many years ago. My sister lives in Farmington Hills.
:)
I lived in Livonia many years ago. My sister lives in Farmington Hills.
:)
December 24, 2015
Oh, thank you so much for the recommendation! Ha, my parents live in Farmington Hills. MI is a good place to be "from" :-)
December 24, 2015
I agree. We moved there when I was starting 9th grade, and I left for college when I was 18. Moved back to California. My youngest sister met her future husband in Michigan, so she is there for life !!!
UPDATED FROM wantmyskinback
11 months post
The damage continues 11 month photos
Hi All, Oh boy, it just wont stop. Please someone tell me how to fix this? I gave up on a fix bc I paid $200 on average per consult x 5 consults and all plastic surgeons I saw "cannot see the damage" under their crappy fluorescent lights. I have a child to raise and a full time job, I dont have time & money for this, but desperately want a solution so I can go to one doc and take care of it. Thanks in advance!
Replies (83)
January 14, 2016
Hi! It is because they dont know you from before! I am going through the same. If you saw me, you would think I look the same but my cheeks were smooth. My fat tissue was even. Now you can see my bones underneath. The marks where I had the fat loss. Have you seen my pictures? Very similar. My damage was from ultherapy though.
What have you tried so far?
I am only 3 months since I did it!!! I am so scared. I have done PRP twice.
What have you tried so far?
I am only 3 months since I did it!!! I am so scared. I have done PRP twice.
January 14, 2016
Omg, I didn't realize you were only 3 months out. I noticed one of the chin divots the next day after the treatment. It has gotten much wider and a 2nd one appeared recently. I have not tried anything but Bio Oil, which is not working. I want to do PRP and I'm saving up for it, but I'm so afraid it won't help and I will be out another $2500. I'm also saving for fat grafting which is $9000, but the damage Is happening faster than I can come up with $$$. Do you think PRP helped you?
January 14, 2016
Oh, sorry. I read your updated comments where you mentioned it takes a while for PRP results to appear. I'm praying for us that it works!
January 14, 2016
Yes it does! I have been told.
Try doing it!!! It supposely helps repairing. Anything that works.
The price they gave you is just PRP alone? It sounds extremely expensive!!!
Try doing it!!! It supposely helps repairing. Anything that works.
The price they gave you is just PRP alone? It sounds extremely expensive!!!
January 16, 2016
I had tripollar done, which is another form of rf therapy, and am experiencing exactly the same thing. I find it depressing to look in the mirror and see all of my fat loss gone, and essentially a flat face. Please keep sharing what you're doing with us all. I hope you find a solution that will reverse your damage. You still look beautiful, but I, too, get how infuriating this whole situation is. I'll be following your journey and hoping for the best
February 16, 2016
Wouldn't the doctor's office that screwed you up PAY FOR your PRP? I mean, even to have it done somewhere else? At least help you out in some way? If not they are evil people, sorry!
February 17, 2016
Nope, they denied any wrong doing and falsified the chart. Also, they claim to have lost my "before" photos.
September 4, 2016
I did the tripolar too. I have major fat loss in my face. I even have a long indentation above my eyebrow from all the fat that melted away. It's been 7 months since my last treatment.
January 27, 2016
I had fractora done 2 weeks ago. It is a radio frequency device to stimulate collagen. . I haven't noticed a difference in fat yet.. If there was damage would I notice it soon? Or takes time? Also do you think the damage occurred more bc she went over same spots over again or because of the device?
January 29, 2016
My damage occurred because she went over the same spots 12-13 times. My fat loss did not show up for about 7-8 months.
January 29, 2016
I see it all. I had same damage from fraxel. They should be banned.
February 4, 2016
I have a very similar lumpy texture from fraxel. It's very odd because the skin looks thickened in certain spots. I'm not sure if this is raised scarring, inflammation or just damaged collagen that causes this. No doctors have been able to give me any insights either other than to use retin a. I am very sorry this happened to you. I can deeply relate to the pain you are going through. Who knew something we thought was so simple could have life altering consequences. I wish you all the best.
February 16, 2016
Hi "Want my Skin Back". First, thank you for helping others. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out here!
Second, I bought one of those "Dot Matrix home Thermage Radio Frequency" devices online. Used it for 3 months. Not nearly as powerful as Thermage allegedly BUT...the first couple months I had nice results. Now, the SAME thing is happening to me. Neck went from "needing a little tightening" to Grandma's turkey neck gone wrong! Horrible--neck aged 5 years at least. And as you know it's so disheartening to strive to look your best, but end up looking worse!
To counteract I am doing a bunch of neck tightening exercises and LED light therapy (called "StimLight" very gentle, healing, stimulates collagen, been around for years). This is helping.
PROBLEM: People PAY to have fat injected into their faces. Why would they do anything to your face that melts fat away?! They do not tell you that destroying your fat cells is a good possibility, and that "tightening" apparently means fat loss! The ONLY time someone would want to lose fat in their face is if they need serious contouring. "Mature" adults have thinning faces--it's part of aging.
I'm HOPING some of my fat will return, but understand that is not likely.
Lastly, as others have commented you ARE a pretty lady. Keep in mind that a differently countoured face is not necessarily a negative thing. It's just different than what you had before? I'm in 100% agreement this is not the result you paid for and your skin was damaged. I'm just saying you shouldn't walk around feeling you're not pretty because you are!
Lastly and unfortunately, I don't think we can recover anything from these offices that screw us up because....they won't touch us until we sign WAIVERS stating we won't hold them responsible! Pretty unfair.
Second, I bought one of those "Dot Matrix home Thermage Radio Frequency" devices online. Used it for 3 months. Not nearly as powerful as Thermage allegedly BUT...the first couple months I had nice results. Now, the SAME thing is happening to me. Neck went from "needing a little tightening" to Grandma's turkey neck gone wrong! Horrible--neck aged 5 years at least. And as you know it's so disheartening to strive to look your best, but end up looking worse!
To counteract I am doing a bunch of neck tightening exercises and LED light therapy (called "StimLight" very gentle, healing, stimulates collagen, been around for years). This is helping.
PROBLEM: People PAY to have fat injected into their faces. Why would they do anything to your face that melts fat away?! They do not tell you that destroying your fat cells is a good possibility, and that "tightening" apparently means fat loss! The ONLY time someone would want to lose fat in their face is if they need serious contouring. "Mature" adults have thinning faces--it's part of aging.
I'm HOPING some of my fat will return, but understand that is not likely.
Lastly, as others have commented you ARE a pretty lady. Keep in mind that a differently countoured face is not necessarily a negative thing. It's just different than what you had before? I'm in 100% agreement this is not the result you paid for and your skin was damaged. I'm just saying you shouldn't walk around feeling you're not pretty because you are!
Lastly and unfortunately, I don't think we can recover anything from these offices that screw us up because....they won't touch us until we sign WAIVERS stating we won't hold them responsible! Pretty unfair.
March 9, 2016
Hi Jessica77,
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, it's difficult when we go in expecting to look better and instead, wind up with worse problems. My skin texture is very, very bumpy now, and I always see people staring at m chin now, lol. The worrisome part is that the melting continues. I have 30 lbs to lose, but my face is the thinnest it has ever been. So if I lose my 30 lbs, what will my face look Like then? A skeleton? I used to have such smooth skin....I miss it. I just bought the red LED light and will start that soon. Crossing my fingers it helps.
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, it's difficult when we go in expecting to look better and instead, wind up with worse problems. My skin texture is very, very bumpy now, and I always see people staring at m chin now, lol. The worrisome part is that the melting continues. I have 30 lbs to lose, but my face is the thinnest it has ever been. So if I lose my 30 lbs, what will my face look Like then? A skeleton? I used to have such smooth skin....I miss it. I just bought the red LED light and will start that soon. Crossing my fingers it helps.
Replies (468)