POSTED UNDER Thermage REVIEWS
60 Yrs Old, Just Wanted to Halt Time - Now Scarred - Indianapolis, IN
ORIGINAL POST
I was feeling down about turning 60. I didn't...
QRiousOctober 21, 2014
$1,750
I was feeling down about turning 60. I didn't FEEL 60 on the inside, and I certainly didn't want to look 60 on the outside. I wasn't look for a miracle but just a little something.
I went to see a doctor (not a plastic surgeon) about LazerLift. She advised against it (turns out all the patients she did were under 2 months along, so she didn't have a good feel for the outcome) but instead suggested Thermage. It was safe, effective and ON SALE. That should have been a red flag right there.
The procedure wasn't painful, just mildly uncomfortable and goopy. When I left her office, my skin was noticeably tighter and I thought this was going to be wonderful. Then I found this site and the fears started creeping in. Little did I know.
The first marks started appearing about a week later. It's almost a perfect square about 5/8 across with a hole in it - the shape of the head. The first two were between my eyebrows and on my right temple. No problem - I'll cover it up with my bangs.
The next one appeared on my left temple. I've pulled my hair forward.
This weekend, the ones on each cheek appeared. Now they are all along my jawline and chin. I cannot rearrange my hair any longer and makeup doesn't cover it. I'm a tearful mess today.
I did seek out the advice of another physician - a plastic surgeon. He advised waiting the full 6 months to see how bad it will get before attempting any repairs. I've got to put hydrocortisone cream on every night to help with the swelling on my left jawline (I look like I have one-sided mumps, but hair covers that up) and a better sunblock on before I leave the house. I will return every 2 months to him for monitoring.
Please if anyone else is considering this - DON'T. If I had found this site before I ruined my face, I wouldn't be in this state today.
I went to see a doctor (not a plastic surgeon) about LazerLift. She advised against it (turns out all the patients she did were under 2 months along, so she didn't have a good feel for the outcome) but instead suggested Thermage. It was safe, effective and ON SALE. That should have been a red flag right there.
The procedure wasn't painful, just mildly uncomfortable and goopy. When I left her office, my skin was noticeably tighter and I thought this was going to be wonderful. Then I found this site and the fears started creeping in. Little did I know.
The first marks started appearing about a week later. It's almost a perfect square about 5/8 across with a hole in it - the shape of the head. The first two were between my eyebrows and on my right temple. No problem - I'll cover it up with my bangs.
The next one appeared on my left temple. I've pulled my hair forward.
This weekend, the ones on each cheek appeared. Now they are all along my jawline and chin. I cannot rearrange my hair any longer and makeup doesn't cover it. I'm a tearful mess today.
I did seek out the advice of another physician - a plastic surgeon. He advised waiting the full 6 months to see how bad it will get before attempting any repairs. I've got to put hydrocortisone cream on every night to help with the swelling on my left jawline (I look like I have one-sided mumps, but hair covers that up) and a better sunblock on before I leave the house. I will return every 2 months to him for monitoring.
Please if anyone else is considering this - DON'T. If I had found this site before I ruined my face, I wouldn't be in this state today.
Replies (18)
November 8, 2014
the person who did it,,just didnt know what she was doing cos i have seen the results in others and they looked great.....unfortunately even people who have been trained dont always know wha they are doing....just cos they have a license to practice..
November 10, 2014
I am a male of 68 years old. I had a Thermage treatment done to my face, neck and hands about 5 years ago. The full effect was amazing. I had no problems at all. The swelling went away in about 3 weeks and I can still see the benefits of having had it done. In fact, I'm thinking about going back for some maintenance on my neck and jawline. You must have had someone who wasn't good at using the Thermage technique. Your doctor (or technician who assists the doctor) can set the range of "waht feels like an electrical shock" according to how much is comfortable for you. I actually was thinking MORE intensity would be best for me, so I was jolted with the laser pulse about 500 times across my face, neck and hands and it wasn't a pleasant feeling, but it worked (for me)...I'm sorry that you had a bad experience and result (s)!
January 17, 2017
The doc who did the treatment to me was very experienced, and yet there was no result. $3,000 lost.
November 14, 2014
I got jaw wrinkles and a neck sag from thermage. Just horrible. The pearl laser treatment and prestige chemical peels work great for me. I just had another treatment and face looks fantastic again. Although, I haven't found a cure for what thermage did to my neck other than surgery...
December 22, 2014
This is exactly what happened to me. It has been 2 years, and I am still battling. I once had smooth skin. I had the nickname China Doll growing up. Now, I have the grid marks (like hot iron marks that ruin fabric) permanently etched on both checks. I can't stand to even take pictures anymore or look in the mirror.
UPDATED FROM QRious
29 days post
Pictures of Square Marks
QRiousOctober 22, 2014
Updating to show pictures of the marks. They are still appearing!
Replies (2)
February 18, 2015
I just posted my before and 2-year progression pictures if you want to see what you have to look forward to.
April 25, 2015
I can't say I "like" this; I just wanted to let you know that you are helping other people. Love and peace.
UPDATED FROM QRious
30 days post
This Just Keeps Getting Better and Better...
QRiousOctober 23, 2014
Now not only do I have scars on the jawline, but I now have wrinkles around my mouth!!! I've never had those before. Also look at the scars on the chin.
Is this ever going to STOP!?!? I'm only one month out - you mean this will go on and on for 5 more months??
Is this ever going to STOP!?!? I'm only one month out - you mean this will go on and on for 5 more months??
Replies (6)
December 23, 2014
I had thermage three months ago and have scarring and progressive fat loss in my face. How are you doing now ? I am seeing more damage everyday - we had the treatment at about the same time I had my eyes done as well and am terrified I'll go blind. I feel terrible for us . I am eating better than I have ever eaten in my life - it can't hurt - maybe derma rolling will help these scars in the interim until we can get something done. My heart goes out to you.
February 18, 2015
No, I am at two years now and continue to get worse. I just looked at my "Before" pictures and my last night pictures, and my skin has aged 20 years. I can't believe this much change in two years. I did try one session of the Rejuvapen, but I didn't do anymore. We are burn victims so what tightening we did get is from scar tissue, when I did Rejuvapen, it was very aggressive and I feel like it broke up some scar tissue, but what I have left is still scarred uneven texture, but now drooping, as if you have tenderized a piece of meat. I am looking at the Roden and Fields derma roller because it is not as aggressive (doesn't go as deep) and hope that it might re-texture the surface. I have thought about faxel laser, but I am terrified. I can't even stand to look in the mirror anymore, and I refuse pictures now. My face texture looks exactly like your pictures.
Let's keep in touch in case we find something that works.
February 26, 2015
I am 6 weeks out and have similar side effects. How are you doing now? Have you consulted with plastic surgeons? Thx
March 6, 2015
The plastic surgeon at the office where I had it done. Suggested that another treatment of Thermage might be good, and that perhaps the first one was not powerful enough. I told him he was out of his mind. Why would I want to further damage my skin with the machine that just ruined it.
January 12, 2017
I am in exactly the same position. 4 months post. Devastated and scared!
September 19, 2015
Wow!!! sorry to hear about the horrible results but I thank you soooo much for sharing...I was considering this procedure but after reading all the bad reviews I'm OUT!!!! Hope it gets better for you.
http://www.realself.com/review/thermage-permanent-...
Keep us posted on how things continue to go- I hope you can find some answers. Thanks for sharing the pictures.