[Thermage FLX VS Thermage CPT] What are the differences between the 4th edition of Thermage FLX and the 3rd edition of Thermage CPT?

Hello, this is the Renewme Skin Clinic. This time we would like to discuss about the newly upgraded Thermage FLX. Everyone knows that such high cost medical equipment equals to an e treatment price that not everyone could afford. That’s why we have to look into details of the Thermage FLX.

There is a saying of ‘dermatologists are the slaves of the Thermage’. Even though the treatment price is relatively expensive, it does not help much with the operation of the skin clinics. There is a reason for the high cost of the treatment – the tips of Thermage are one-time-used tips and they are extremely expensive. Also, the treatment time of Thermage normally lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour, relatively longer duration than other skin treatment available in the clinics. It is the other reason why so many skin clinics hesitate in purchasing the Thermage. In one conclusion, the only winner is the producer of the Thermage. The producer designs the time lock (Thermage CPT= 4 hours, Thermage FLX = 2 hours) and limitation of numbers of shots for the Thermage in the name of safety measures. Yet, it is more appropriate to say that it is a practice for profits.

     

                              

Let’s get back to the topic of the comparison between the Thermage FLX and the Thermage CPT.

There are 5 upgrades in total.

1.     25% larger tip!

2.     Pulse RF, Cooling burst technology = better pain control!

3.     Automatic adjust of energy = more accurate energy transfer!

4.     Cooling gas used = environmental friendly!

5.     Same shots, better results, shortened treatment time!

As you could see in the photos, the tip of the Thermage CPT can treat area of 3*3 cm = 9 cm2 while the upgraded tip of the Thermage FLX can treat area of 4*4 cm = 16 cm2. Enlarging the tip of the Thermage is not that easy because as the tip get enlarged, the producer has to make sure the cooling gases can be evenly emitted. The safety measures needed to be confirmed repeatedly. Also, the larger tips mean more effective transfer of radiofrequency energy. That rationalizes the saying of the Thermage’s producer of 600 shots of the Thermage FLX equals to 900 shots of the Thermage CPT. Yet, the 4^th edition of the Thermage FLX also provides the same size of tips as the Thermage CPT, for better operation of the treatment for patients with small face. If the dermatologist adopts the Thermage FLX 3.0 tip, the patient will need to have 900 shots like the past. However, there are worries that some skin clinics use misleading marketing strategies in purpose of making the prices of the Thermage FLX look more attractive. Therefore, it is so important for the patients to confirm that skin clinic is using the original and the 4.0 tip before receiving the Thermage FLX treatment.

The 2^nd upgrade will be the pain control. The Thermage FLX has the new functions of Pulse RF and Cooling burst to disturb the signals of pain, minimizing the pain that may cause during the energy transfer during the treatment. From now on, Thermage treatment will be a more comfortable and pleasant treatment.

The 3^rd upgrade will be the automatic energy adjusted. The Thermage FLX has a shot optimization algorithm technology that makes maximizes the effect of procedure. It can deliver the same constant energy to each area with increasing the accuracy of the shots, and patient can expect effective results for the treated area.

The 4^th upgrade may not be that beneficial to the recipients of the Thermage treatment but it could help improving the sustainability of the environment. In the past, the cooling gas used for Thermage CPT is CFCs, which is the culprit of causing the environmental pollution. Now the tip of the Thermage FLX is larger, meaning the usage of the cooling gas will also be increased. By changing the cooling gas to environmental friendly gas, it serves as an effort in improving the environment.

Lastly, the most important upgrade of the Thermage FLX – “Same shots, better results, shortened treatment time!” Thermage FLX makes safer and more accurate treatment possible. Without harming the surface layer of the skin, Thermage FLX can transfer the radiofrequency energy to the layer of subcutaneous fat and tissue, stimulating the rapid production of collagen. Thus, a natural facial lifting and tightening results could be expected

Most of the dermatologists will agree that the Thermage has been the best facial lifting machine among the existing ones in the past 15 years. Only concern will be the expensive treatment cost.  Even though the Thermage is claimed as the best facial lifting machine, there are some patients more suitable to receive the Ulthera treatment than Thermage treatment. It depends on the skin conditions of the patients to decide which skin treatment will be the best one. As a result, there are some patients suitable to have Ulthera and Thermage treatment at the same time.

To the patients who are planning to have facial lifting treatment, there is a little recommendation that I would like to offer. Although the treatment price is very expensive, you will be disappointed too if you are having unreasonably high expectation to the results of the treatment. The most important point for facial lifting is to understand that treatment available in the market could only serve as ‘anti-aging, partial improvement’. Instead of wishing to be 10 years younger than the real age, it is more realistic to understand that regular skincare treatment is needed to keep the young skin condition. It is better to have the consultation with the doctor to discuss which kind of treatment and what kind of results you could expect after the treatment.

There is no method to stop ageing, like Emperor Qin searching for medicines for immortality. Excessive plastic surgery and skin treatment may partially slowing the process of ageing but please be reminded there is no point of return to the ‘old me’ and the only thing you may get will be ‘embarrassing fake youth’.

As a dermatologist, I personally consider ‘natural beauty’ as the true beauty. To the patients who visit the clinics with the purpose of facial lifting, ‘When you see the faces of the celebrities on the TV, you could organize them into two different kinds of categories. The type that naturally, slowly getting old and the type that receives excessive plastic surgery in order to look younger but results in unnatural face. I do not acquire with the ability to make you look 10 years younger but I could help safeguard your natural beauty’, I tend to explain to the patients in this way.

Facial lifting treatment is to safeguard the natural beauty, therefore receiving treatment at an early age and with a regular pattern is very important.

If you want to have an appointment for consultation, please contact us via messenger or email below. 

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