I’ve never had anything done to my face, except a facial I did back in 2012 when I was in Seoul, which I didn’t particularly enjoy.
So when I was asked by my colleague if I would like to try out the Thermage FLX at Dr Calvin Chan’s clinic, I was naturally apprehensive yet intrigued… as a person now of a certain vintage.
Thermage FLX harnesses the power of non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) energy. The heat applied to the skin causes collagen to contract and stimulate new collagen growth. Also, it is a machine that can only be used by a trained doctor.
During my consultation with Dr Chan, he highlighted that while there is practically no down time, some patients may experience minor redness and swelling, which generally subsides within 24 hours.
Thirty minutes before the treatment, numbing cream was applied to my face. After which, a handheld device that uses Total Tip 4 (900shots) radiofrequency technology was applied to my face to heat the deeper, collagen-rich layers of the skin.
Prior to my visit, I did my research and found that some patients may find the procedure to be rather painful. Because of that, I readied myself for a truly distressing session. While there were moments when I twitched involuntary, especially when heat was delivered along my jawline and hairline, it was mostly bearable. Uncomfortable, at the very most.
After Dr Chan completed the treatment on one side of my face, a nurse took a picture to show me the difference between my left and not-yet-treated right profile. I noticed a subtle tightening of the skin along my jawline. “The results will continue to improve after the third month,” Dr Chan told me.
I’ve always been conscious of my eyebags but two months after the treatment, the area around my eyes looks less tired. Friends even asked if I have lost weight because the clock seems to have been turned back on my jawline, becoming more pronounced.
A single Thermage FLX treatment can last between one and two years, depending on individual.