I went on a field trip a few weeks ago to The Center for Dermatology, Cosmetic and Laser Surgery (Mount Kisco; (914) 241-3003; thecenterforderm.com), where a friend of mine was undergoing a Thermage treatment to tighten up her tummy. As I entered her treatment room, R was texting away while aesthetician Lisa Yozzo systematically zapped along a grid that had been superimposed over her stomach, like a temporary tatoo. Clearly, the lady was in no pain. Granted, she was medicated, but when she told me, “It’s kind of relaxing, like a single finger massage,” I knew this was something I needed to know about. Gain without pain? What a concept. The question is: does it work?
“Thermage uses radiofrequency technology to heat the deeper layers of the skin,” Yozzo explained, “so it stimulates your existing collagen while promoting new growth, tightening the skin as it does so.” You have to wait three to six months to realize the full benefit of the procedure, but it lasts from 18 to 24 months. “I have some clients who come back every year; they do their face, tummies, even batwings on their arms.” The tummy procedure takes about 90 minutes and costs $3,500; full face takes an hour and costs $3,000. According to Yozzo, the treatments have a 99-percent success rate. You’ll need someone to take you home after the procedure—all those painkillers—but it should be fine to resume activities the next day…and fit into a bikini in a few months. I’ll keep you posted.
