Written by Mattea, Dermal Therapist
If you have been looking into skin tightening, you have almost certainly come across Thermage. It is one of the better known names in the category, and I get asked about it constantly: do we offer it, and how does it compare with what we use at Clinica Lase?
We do not offer Thermage. That is not a criticism of it. It is a well established technology and it does what it was designed to do. But it is one tool, and the honest answer to "which one is best" is that these devices are built to do different jobs. Once you understand what each technology is actually targeting, the question stops being which device is best and becomes which device suits your skin.
What is Thermage?
Thermage is a non-invasive treatment that uses monopolar radiofrequency to heat the deeper layers of the skin and stimulate collagen. It is used for skin laxity, including loose or crepey skin on the face, neck and body, and mild jowling. No needles are involved.
Thermage vs Potenza
Both stimulate collagen, but they go about it very differently.
Thermage delivers monopolar radiofrequency from the surface with no needles. Its focus is skin laxity, and it is designed for mild loose skin.
Potenza is radiofrequency microneedling. Fine needles deliver monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency into the skin, and both the needle depth and the mode can be adjusted according to what is being treated. That adjustability is why its range of indications is broader: skin tightening, acne scarring, enlarged pores, fine lines and texture.
If collagen stimulation is the only goal, the two sit in the same category. If there is scarring, pore size or texture in the picture as well, Potenza is indicated for more of those concerns in the one treatment.
Thermage vs RedTouch
RedTouch is a completely different technology. There is no radiofrequency involved. It uses a 675 nm wavelength and heats the skin to around 60 to 70 degrees, and its primary chromophore is collagen, which is what makes it suited to collagen remodelling and skin quality. Clients often notice changes in tone and redness as the skin remodels.
RedTouch is used for:
-
Fine lines
-
Crepey skin
-
Pigment and redness
-
Skin rejuvenation and overall skin quality
-
The neck
Thermage vs Onda
People are often surprised that Onda has anything to do with firmness. It uses Coolwaves microwave technology to selectively target fat cells, and in doing so it also stimulates collagen and elastin. It works on the face and the body, and the handpiece is selected according to what is being treated.
Onda is used for:
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Fat pockets, including the jowls
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Cellulite
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Skin laxity
Thermage is a skin tightening treatment. Onda is indicated for fat as well as skin quality, so it tends to be a different conversation rather than a like-for-like alternative.
Thermage vs Clear + Brilliant
Clear + Brilliant is a fractional laser and sits in a different category again.
It is used for:
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Pigmentation and uneven skin tone
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Early signs of ageing
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Fine lines and texture
It is a prevention and maintenance treatment rather than a substitute for skin tightening. Clients tend to choose it to keep their skin in good condition over time.
Thermage vs Pico FX
Different again. Pico FX uses ultra-short picosecond pulses delivered through a fractional MLA handpiece. That creates laser-induced optical breakdown within the skin, which stimulates collagen and elastin without ablating the surface.
It is used for:
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Texture and pores
-
Acne scarring
-
Fine lines
-
Pigmentation
Which skin tightening treatment might be right for me?
That is what a consultation is for, because it depends on your skin rather than on the concern alone. Broadly, here is where we tend to start.
Skin laxity, loose or crepey skin and age management
Potenza, Onda, RedTouch, Pico FX
Acne scarring and enlarged pores
Potenza, Pico FX, TCA
Pigmentation, brightening and skin maintenance
Clear + Brilliant, RedTouch, Pico
Stubborn fat, jowling and tightening on the face and body
Onda
How we choose technology at Clinica Lase
We do not bring a device into the clinic because it is trending or because it is the newest thing available. We research it first, including reading and analysing the clinical studies behind it, because we want to know what it is genuinely designed to do before it goes anywhere near a client.
From there, the treatment is chosen on:
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Your skin concern and skin type
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The depth of the concern
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The downtime you can realistically manage
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What you are trying to achieve
In many cases we will combine technologies rather than rely on a single device, because most concerns sit at more than one depth.
A simple summary
And finally, because we all love a table.
|
Concern |
Thermage |
Potenza |
RedTouch |
Onda |
Clear + Brilliant |
Pico FX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Skin tightening |
Primary use |
Primary use |
Primary use |
Primary use |
Secondary |
Secondary |
|
Acne scarring |
Not indicated |
Primary use |
Not indicated |
Not indicated |
Secondary |
Primary use |
|
Pigmentation |
Not indicated |
Secondary |
Primary use |
Not indicated |
Primary use |
Primary use |
|
Texture and pores |
Secondary |
Primary use |
Primary use |
Not indicated |
Primary use |
Primary use |
|
Fat reduction |
Not indicated |
Not indicated |
Not indicated |
Primary use |
Not indicated |
Not indicated |
This table describes what each technology is designed and indicated to treat. It is not a ranking, and it is not a substitute for an individual assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer Thermage at Clinica Lase?
No. We use Potenza, RedTouch, Onda, Clear + Brilliant and Pico FX, and we select between them based on your skin rather than on brand name.
Is Thermage painful?
Thermage is a mixture of a hot sensation and cooling. Newer devices and technologies are becoming more comfortable.
Does Potenza hurt more than Thermage?
Potenza uses microneedles to create a controlled injury in the skin, so a topical anaesthetic is typically applied beforehand. Comfort varies depending on the settings and the area being treated.
Which treatment lasts the longest?
All collagen stimulating treatments rely on your own collagen production. This varies between individuals and depends on age, skin quality and lifestyle. Maintenance treatments are always recommended.
Is one treatment better than another?
No. Each technology is different and has its own strengths. The treatment that suits you is the one that addresses your individual skin concern, rather than the one with the most recognisable name.
Where to start
If you are weighing up skin tightening options, the useful next step is a consultation with one of our dermal clinicians. We will assess your skin, talk through what is realistic, and explain why we are recommending a particular technology rather than simply naming one.