Thermage, ultherapy and fraxel: 3 treatments to regain your skin’s firmness

The secret is in the collagen. And more specifically in its stimulation. It is the substance that holds the body together, a kind of pillar that provides strength and structure to the skin. But as we get older it decreases and has to be rebuilt. Thermage, Ultherapy and Fraxel are the vanguard treatments for its stimulation and to recover all the firmness.

Collagen works as the “glue” that holds all these things together. Precisely, the word comes from the Greek “kolla”, which means just that: glue.

“As we age, we break it down faster than we can replace it. We start losing about 1 percent of our collagen a year from our twenties to 30 percent during the first five years of menopause,” explains Dr. Barbara Dalbos, an expert in aesthetic medicine at SHA Wellness Clinic.

Many products containing collagen, including creams, claim to revitalize skin by increasing collagen levels in the body. “But this is unlikely, since collagen molecules are too large to be absorbed by the skin,” the specialist says.

The important thing is to stimulate the deep layer of the skin, the dermis. For this purpose, SHA Wellness Clinic proposes three cutting-edge treatments, current pillars in collagen activation therapy.

Thermage, the most recognized radiofrequency therapy

It is the reference in the treatment of skin laxity. “Only capacitive monopolar radiofrequency technology provides deep, uniform volumetric volume powerful enough to naturally tighten and contour the skin and underlying tissue,” explains Dr. Barbara Dalbos.

Thermage achieves results in a single session compared to other technologies, which may require up to five or more treatment sessions. The goal is to induce thermal damage that raises the temperature in the tissue and thus stimulate neocollagenesis in deep layers of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

“The result is a natural anti-aging because it is the body itself that works without the intervention of external products. It can be used on the whole body, showing an impressive result on the belly and legs”, suggests the SHA Wellness Clinic expert.

Ultherapy, ultrasound at facial and body level

Approved by the US FDA, it is one of the most popular treatments. With an ultrasound therapy, what you are looking for is a small non-surgical lifting effect that also stimulates the production of your own collagen.

“By means of ultrasound, it focuses on heating the skin to stimulate its collagen production in different layers of the dermis and even in the face. The procedure includes images of

ultrasound. This helps the practitioner control the exact treatment locations on the inner layers of tissue to achieve the best results,” describes Dr. Barbara Dalbos.

Ultherapy has been shown to enhance loose skin on the neck and chin. It produces a natural tightening of the skin. Most people experience the full effect of the treatment approximately three to six months after the procedure, although some may see the effects sooner.

Fraxel, the thermal destruction columns

Says Dr. Barbara Dalbos: “The energy of this laser creates small ‘thermal destruction columns’ in the skin that stimulate the growth of new, healthy cells to replace old, damaged cells.

It works from the “inside out,” increasing skin renewal and collagen production, which is the body’s natural accelerated healing process. This laser also works very well in treating sun damage (elastosis, pigmentation), action on acne and stretch marks, etc.

On the other hand, Dr. Barbara Dalbos also highlights the effectiveness of collagen stimulator injections such as Radiesse (calcium hydroxyapatite), which provides a natural stimulus. “It acts as a support under the skin, strengthening the structure and stimulating the growth of its own natural collagen,” she says.

This natural collagen growth continues for many months and extends the initial effect of Radiesse. In many patients, the correction lasts a year or more with natural, youthful results.