Welcome to the new age of plastic surgery. Thermage ThermaCool TC® is a non-invasive device that tightens the tissue of the body by targeting the collagen in the deep dermis of the skin. While many patients think that this treatment is a laser, they are wrong. Lasers are light based, exemplified by the breakdown of the word laser (Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation). Thermage ThermaCool TC® uses radio waves, and as such, is not a laser. By combining the radio waves into a concentrated beam, ThermaCool TC® has been able to heat a deeper portion of the dermis, previously unreachable by non-invasive treatments. Other non-invasive laser treatments have been only able to penetrate half as deep as Thermage ThermaCool TC® can. The reason for this is that the laser light can only penetrate so deep before the light is absorbed in the area under the skin. The device was designed to provide a surgical result without exposure to the risks, downtime or costs associated with surgery. By heating the collagen in the dermis (where it resides), Thermage ThermaCool TC® causes two effects. The first effect is an immediate shrinkage of the collagen from the heat. This is called the "shrink-wrap" effect and can be seen by patients immediately after the procedure. This heat-induced change to the collagen, which causes the initial shrinkage, does not go away. By causing damage to the collagen with heat, the body then sends out collagen producing cells called fibroblasts to replace the recently damaged collagen. This is what causes the second long term effect, the replacement of weakened and poorly tightened collagen (damaged by the heat) with new, strong, and tight collagen strands. This process can last up to six months, and is responsible for the continued tightening affect. As Dr. Bassin has gained considerable expertise with this treatment, he feels that the heat is able to penetrate deep enough into the skin, that fat cells can be targeted, and dissolved. Dr. Bassin tells his patients that the results of the Thermage ThermaCool TC® should last for at least 5-10 years. Body by Thermage® is particularly helpful where patients have accrued excess skin either from aging changes or weight loss. The procedure can produce a "tummy tuck" for patients with excessive skin after pregnancy. Thermage® is FDA approved for all indications.

Patients are asked to come into the office approximately 30-45 minutes before their planned procedure. Depending on a patient's discussion with Dr. Bassin, and the areas targeted for treatment, patients will either have topical anesthetic ointment applied or, be given an oral pain pill. Dr. Bassin then applies a grid to the targeted treatment area, which is easily washed off after the procedure. The treatment is then started, and can last up to 1 hour. Patients should expect to have some redness after the procedure which Dr. Bassin tells his patients, "if not resolved by the time you leave the office, it will be gone by the time you have driven yourself home." Patients do not need more than one treatment, and can go about their daily activities uninhibited after the procedure. Patients do not feel any pain after the procedure, although a feeling of tightness has been cited. Prices range from $ 1800 to $4500, dependent upon which areas are treated.

Click on the thumbnails below to see Dr. Roger Bassin featured in the media on the topic of Thermage ThermaCool TC®.