Thermage - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Thermage or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
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Written by Dr. Ringpfeil
Thermage and other Radiofrequency Devices
Overview:
Radiofrequency drives heat to the superficial, mid and deep dermis and stimulates collagen production.
Expected results:
Subtle tightening of the skin around eyes, face, neck and abdomen. Results are highly variable.
Preparation:
Topical anesthesia +/- nerve block by injection.
Post treatment instructions:
Sun protection for at least 3 months.
Time to desired results:
4-6 months
Contraindications:
None. Radiofrequency is considered safe on all skin types.
Duration of desired effects:
Up to 2 years.
Downtime:
Redness for up to 24 hours
Selected Patient Questions and Answers
# of surveys: 4187
Last updated: 1/02/2024 11:10 AM
PATIENT RATINGS
Would you recommend us?
- definitely
- 93.1%
- probably
- 6.16%
- maybe
- 0.58%
- not likely
- 0.08%
- no
- 0.02%
Compare our service to other similar practices
- excellent
- 87.9%
- very good
- 10.1%
- good
- 1.8%
- poor
- 0.06%
- very poor
- 0%
Overall doctor performance
- excellent
- 94.2%
- very good
- 4.89%
- good
- 0.80%
- poor
- 0.03%
- very poor
- 0%
The doctor listened to you attentively
- excellent
- 93.9%
- very good
- 4.97%
- good
- 1.05%
- poor
- 0.05%
- very poor
- 0%
The doctor took time to answer your questions
- excellent
- 94.0%
- very good
- 4.66%
- good
- 1.27%
- poor
- 0.02%
- very poor
- 0%
The doctor explained treatment options
- excellent
- 94.3%
- very good
- 4.16%
- good
- 1.25%
- poor
- 0.14%
- very poor
- 0.02%
The doctor explained treatment options
- excellent
- 92.0%
- very good
- 5.69%
- good
- 2.18%
- poor
- 0.11%
- very poor
- 0.0%
Front desk performance
- excellent
- 85.6%
- very good
- 10.2%
- good
- 3.66%
- poor
- 0.31%
- very poor
- 0.08%
Aesthetician performance
- excellent
- 88.6%
- very good
- 7.61%
- good
- 3.39%
- poor
- 0.24%
- very poor
- 0.08%
Office comfort
- excellent
- 90.9%
- very good
- 6.93%
- good
- 2.08%
- poor
- 0.05%
- very poor
- 0.05%
Parking
- excellent
- 66.4%
- very good
- 14.4%
- good
- 15.7%
- poor
- 2.49%
- very poor
- 0.9%
Friendliness of the staff during appointment
- excellent
- 90.9%
- very good
- 7.23%
- good
- 1.85%
- poor
- 0.05%
- very poor
- 0%
What WE DID WELL
(Answers:674)
I came here because my previous doctor's staff was not friendly or helpful. I am very glad I switched. Everyone here has been very nice and professional
#12025-08-17Dr Ringfell was very attentive to my problem. She reviewed my medical history throughly unlike any other physician that I have met before. I felt that she aswered to all my questions with extreme knowledge and confidence. I am leaving my appointment today reasured that she will find the right diagnosis to my problem.
#22025-04-14Using a computer to fill out the new patient forms!
#32025-08-18The appearance and presentation of the office.
#42025-02-21on a very short notice was able to squeeze in an appointment for my daughter...thank you
#52025-02-17Jenny took the time to address all my concerns and gave me great advice. She was very professional, very knowledgeable, and friendly
#62011-05-27 09:49:17Attention to detail on part of doctor and assistant
#72025-05-24It was a very good experience in all - see you next year!
#82025-07-05I really appreciated how knowledgeable the doctor was about my condition. I also felt that she listened well and considered my opinion. Great job! Cant wait to come back.
#92012-06-14 15:35:48the Dr
#102025-06-11What can we do better?
(answers:373)
uhmm.. you're office was too nice. It made me jealous.
#12025-05-10give me choices of what type of medicines that i can take
#22025-03-25Stay the same.
#32025-12-16Nothing - excellent.
#42011-01-25 12:57:52keep doing what you did.
#52011-03-11 14:14:27I was impressed with every step of making the appointment to seeing the physician.
#62010-12-16 12:26:48everything was beyond my expectations . No doctor has ever given me such a complete exam
#72010-10-07 10:02:42No Comments
#82025-05-17this is my first time so will let you know as time progresses
#92010-11-02 11:02:24keep on what you are doing because you are doing a good job
#102025-05-07
recently lost 30+ lbs The skin on my thighs is a bit saggy. Will thermage help?
Radiofrequency treatment is currently the best answer to non-surgical skin tightening. However, the radiofrequency energy needs to be delivered directly to area where tightening is needed, the second layer of the skin (dermis). This can be achieved with a number of devices that are now available in the US and many more in Canada and Europe. Infini, for example, delivers radiofrequency through insulated probes to the target layer (dermis) where old collagen and elastin is replaced by new collagen and elastin. Thermage, however, is one of the first generation radiofrequency devices that transmits radiofrequency on the surface of the skin and subsequent penetration into the layers where tightening needs to be achieved. Its limitation is the amount of energy that can safely be used not to burn the top layer of skin. In my opinion and experience, it achieve reproducible results in less than 50% of people who are treated.
I have voluma that I do not like. It is like a bubble on my check. I saw my dermatologist about it and she didn’t want to dissolve it. My question is will RF help dissolve it?
Volume is a fast setting hyaluronic acid based filler. On the cheek it is typically injected over bone. Even if it was “changeable” by heat, I would not count on radiofrequency. There is no external radiofrequency device that reaches to bone safely unless a probe is inserted in that area.
Voluma can be dissolved with hyaluronidase that is injected with a needle where it was placed. The effects are almost immediate.