How Thermage^® works on the skin of the eyelids and around the eyes

As with all Thermage^® procedures, the basic principle of treatment is the application of the Thermage^® tip to the skin, heating the square of skin and causing the collagen to contract and tighten, stimulating new collagen growth. To keep the treatment as comfortable as possible, the very brief heating cycle is immediately followed by a cooling.

In order to treat the whole eyelid successfully, a grid transfer is applied to the eyelids temporarily, allowing small squares to be treated in turn and ensuring all of the skin gets uniform treatment.

The Thermage^® end-piece has been specially designed to allow heating of only a couple of millimetres depth, making sure the eyelid skin receives maximal treatment but without damaging any underlying structures.

To protect the eye itself, an eye shield (called an ocular shield) is placed under the eyelid during the treatment process. Using a local anaesthetic in the form of eye drops, a smooth plastic eye shield is placed under the eyelids, protecting the sensitive eye during the treatment on top. Although this might not sound pleasant our experience is that our patients find it relatively comfortable and, as only one eye is treated at a time, and as each shield is in place for only some 20 minutes or so, they find it quite an acceptable feeling.

Of course, the need for this eye cover does mean that anyone who has had previous eye surgery must ensure that they have written approval from their ophthalmologist who performed the eye surgery, allowing them to have an ocular shield put in place.

Once the eyelid itself has been treated, a larger end-piece is then utilised. This is used on the skin around the eye, above and below the eyebrow, over the crow's feet and temple area as well as the upper cheek.

If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment - please contact us.