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)
Dr. Ringpfeil was very friendly & took time to answer all my questions. Very attentive & knowledgable!
#12025-11-19Dr. Heckman gave me a lot of information and listened and answered all of my questions.
#22011-11-17 15:30:47Dr. Ringpfeil's professionalism as well as her wonderful bedside manner.
#32025-04-16I liked the promptness of seeing the doctor, and I loved that I was given all the time that I needed to speak with her.
#42025-10-24Climate and environment
#52025-08-26YOU HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF ENSURING PATIENT SATISFACTION AND CARE QUALITY
#62025-08-16Explanation by both DR. and assistant Thanks!
#72025-02-26I was scared that I had something on my face after my laser treatment. As it turns out Jill took a second look and told me it was normal and it will resolve. The reason why I tell you this is because Lisa at the front desk was instrumental on making sure I was followed up and that my fears were elevated. Lisa was outstanding! From my experiences in the past, I find most people at the front desk don't really care about the patients. However, I did not get that from Lisa. She kept in contact with me until I was completely satisfied with my care. She really is a professional and deserves recognition. Her job is the most important one in the office. I have left other offices in the past because I didn't care for the staff. That won't happen here! Hats of to LISA!!!! P.S. The computer in the waiting room is AWESOME too!!!
#82012-12-06 11:38:48This was an emergency appointment, and you all took wonderful care of me!!! Thanks so much!
#92025-03-01Everyone was friendly, office was nice and bright, bathrooom was clean.
#102025-10-18What can we do better?
(answers:373)
Everything is just great!
#12025-04-23Keep doing the same thing.
#22025-05-16More appointment availability either early or later (before or after the normal 9-5 workday)
#32010-08-23 16:22:28Cannot think of anyway to improve things, unless you want to serve hot tea and cappachino!
#42011-02-22 11:25:39The only (minor) thing that I was disappointed in was that when I booked the appt. via phone, I was told that in addition to my cosmetic questions and consult, the Dr. would also be able to do my full body check. It turned out that there was not enough time to do both.
#52011-07-27 15:04:39I couldn't find any parking.
#62025-05-07More upbeat music! The warm temperature and the John Mayer-esque music made me feel as if it were bedtime =)
#72011-09-16 11:42:32I was very happy with the care I received.
#82010-09-14 10:44:00I have no suggestions. I am very pleased with ever aspect of my care
#92010-10-18 16:25:51I can't think how anything could have been better.
#102025-11-17
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.