Do Any Body Contouring Treatments Work as Well as Thermage?

Thermage is an innovative body contouring procedure. But if you do not know much about Thermage, we can tell you what it is, how it works, and how other body contouring treatments, such as VelaShape and Zerona, compare to it.

The Science Behind Thermage

Thermage is a non-invasive therapy that can transform and revitalize aging skin on many areas of the body. Thermage works from the inside out. It transfers heat to the epidermis, which not only encourages collagen production, but also tightens existing collagen. Thermage effects this partly through a radiofrequency technology that produces electrical currents, which causes collagen within the skin to contract and gradually reform. This is why most individuals experience dramatic tightening and smoothing of the skin over the six months following treatment. Since the outer layers of the skin are unaffected, there is almost no recovery time involved. Results from a single Thermage treatment tend to last up to ten years.

Though Thermage can be used around the eyes and other parts of the face, it is also incredibly effective as a body contouring treatment. Thermage improves the look of crepey, sagging skin, as well as bulges and dimples.
But are other body contouring procedures as good as Thermage?

VELASHAPE: IS IT MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THERMAGE?

VelaShape is a non-invasive body contouring procedure that produces dramatic results. It is similar to Thermage, but produces different results – namely, it significantly reduces the appearance of cellulite and reshapes the body.

How does it work? VelaShape utilizes four different components – radiofrequency, infrared light, vacuum suction, and mechanical massage. The infrared light and radiofrequency energies allow VelaShape to precisely heat dermal and hypodermal tissue in the treatment area. This heating effect boosts fat cell metabolism and reduces the number and size of fat cells, thereby eliminating cellulite. At the same time, VelaShape’s mechanical massage rollers gently knead the area, increasing circulation, encouraging lymphatic drainage and eliminating fat cell byproducts and toxins. Finally, the vacuum suction technology smooths dimples by stretching fibrous bands in the epidermis, thereby reducing the appearance of cellulite. The end result of these high-tech applications is a significant reduction in body circumference and cellulite, as well as smoother, firmer skin.

VelaShape definitely has a distinct advantage over Thermage in that it reduces the appearance of cellulite and reshapes the body. In fact, people in clinical trials experienced an average of half an inch to a full three inches of circumferential reduction in treated areas after a series of four treatments. What is more, their cellulite was reduced by up to 63%. Another clinical study showed that 85% of patients saw their thighs shrink by up to three inches. That is a significant difference.

What are the pros? Most people describe a VelaShape procedure as gentle pulling with some heat. There is no recovery time involved as well.

The cons? The biggest disadvantage of VelaShape is the potential cost. You may end up spending a lot of money on initial cellulite treatments and monthly maintenance. You also usually need to do six or more treatments to see significant results, and then undergo maintenance treatments a few times a year.

THE FACTS ABOUT ZERONA

Zerona is another non-invasive body contouring procedure that specifically targets excess fat. Zerona uses cold laser technology, which emulsifies fat and allows it to move to interstitial space. More specifically, the cold laser technology’s low-level laser stimulation exclusively releases the cellular contents of fat cells while leaving the capillaries and other cells within the interstitial space intact. By disrupting the cell’s membrane, the cell then releases its fat contents. Once the fat contents are released, the body’s lymphatic system absorbs it. Basically, Zerona procedures cause fat cells to shrink, resulting in a loss of inches on areas such as the waist, hips, and thighs.

Zerona is very similar to VelaShape in that you lose inches around your body. In fact, studies have also shown Zerona to be just as effective. In a pilot study, patients lost as much as nine inches after their first series of treatments. Results could be seen in as little as fourteen days, and no side effects were reported. In another study, Zerona helped patients lose an average of five to six inches from their waists, hips, and thighs in a matter of weeks.

The pros? Zerona’s results are impressive, and most people experience ongoing fat loss days and weeks after treatment. There is also no incisions or marks from the treatment and no downtime.

The cons? You will need continuous treatments in order to stimulate fat loss – in fact, up to six sessions in a two-week time frame. You also need to maintain a healthy diet and continue exercise to keep the weight off.

THE VERDICT?

If you are looking for effective and dramatic skin tightening, and you only really want to undergo a single procedure, then Thermage is definitely your best option.

Though there are numerous body contouring treatments that stand up to Thermage, it all depends on what you are looking for. If you want to lose inches off your body, as well as reduce the appearance of cellulite and are willing to undergo a series of treatments, then VelaShape or Zerona may be a better fit for you. However, if you are looking for effective and dramatic skin tightening, and you only really want to undergo a single procedure, then Thermage is your better option.