How Dermal Fillers and Thermage® Address the Signs of Aging By Nimit D on February 14, 2013

When patients come to Dr. Peter Brownrigg’s Ottawa plastic surgery practice, they can be sure they are being treated by an experienced professional. Dr. Brownrigg has devoted himself entirely to cosmetic procedures of the face and neck for over 20 years. While Dr. Brownrigg does offer a number of surgical procedures to his patients, he also offers many less invasive, non-surgical treatments. When his patients in Ottawa are looking for non-surgical treatment, Thermage® and dermal fillers are two of the treatments available. Each of these procedures works in their own way to address signs of aging and revitalize the facial features. Learning about the different aspects of these treatments can help patients determine which procedure they believe is most beneficial to them.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are routinely used by Dr. Brownrigg to either help patients avoid the need for plastic surgery or to enhance the results of surgical procedures. There are several different dermal fillers available to treat wrinkles, fill in loose skin, and contour the face. Depending on each patient’s circumstances, Dr. Brownrigg will determine the best dermal filler or combination of dermal fillers to be used during treatment. In general, dermal fillers share the following characteristics:

• Dermal fillers are injected into the skin using a small needle.
• Dermal fillers add volume to the skin.
• Dermal fillers typically result in only mild to moderate side effects at the injection sites, with little to no downtime needed for recovery.
• The results of dermal fillers will last for a varying amount of time depending on the product used, but the results are not permanent. Repeat treatments will be required to maintain results.

If patients are interested in filling, smoothing, and shaping the face with dermal fillers, Dr. Brownrigg can create a customized treatment plan using the most appropriate dermal fillers.

Thermage®

The Thermage® Thermacool™ procedure is a completely non-invasive. For Dr. Brownrigg’s patients in Ottawa, Thermage® Thermacool™ treatment stimulates the production of collagen and tightens the skin. Unlike surgery or dermal fillers, the Thermage® Thermacool™ system does not require the use of any needles or incisions. Instead, the patient is given a mild pain medication or a topical anesthetic is applied to the skin. Then, the Thermage® handpiece is used on the surface of the skin to deliver radiofrequency waves to the deep layers of the skin; this stimulates the production of collagen and tightens the skin. The Thermacool™ equipment is used simultaneously to cool the skin and improve the patient's comfort. This treatment typically lasts less than an hour and results in no downtime. The most common side effect is redness of the skin that goes away within a few hours of treatment. Results from treatment should become noticeable within one month and should peak at six months following treatment.

Schedule an Appointment

If you’d like to explore the non-surgical treatments available to correct the signs of aging, schedule an appointment with Dr. Peter Brownrigg to discuss dermal fillers and Thermage® Thermacool™. You will be surprised to see the drastic results Dr. Brownrigg can achieve without surgery.

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