They are two of the most highly sought after anti-aging, non-surgical facial laser treatments, but which one is the right treatment for you?
The technological advancements in the beauty world are phenomenal, and the new generation Fraxel and Thermage FLX non-surgical treatments achieve extraordinary results in minimal time for a range of skin issues.
But they are very different in terms of the treatment process, the outcomes they will achieve, and what type of skin conditions they work best for. They also involve different down time and slightly different processes.
I’m lucky enough to have had both over the past 18 months as a guest of one of my favourite Sydney clinics, Skin Renu in Balmain.
And I can see first hand benefits in both treatments. Since the pandemic began and beauty salons re-opened, most have been bombarded with clients wanting to put the funds they used to spend on travel into treating themselves. So a lot of women are asking which treatments right for their skin right now.
Fraxel and Thermage FLX are at the more expensive end of professional skin tightening options. (Thermage costs around $2850 for full face, and $1959 for half face, and Fraxel is $950-$1200 per treatment but ideally you need 3).
In short, Fraxel is fantastic for sun damaged skin or for very saggy, very aged skin. It is also great for acne scarring. It has a longer recovery time than Thermage FLX and you may need multiple treatments (up to 3) to see full benefits.
Fraxel has two wavelengths, which treat both superficial skin problems, as well as going deeper to stimulate collagen production.
After a Fraxel treatment, the skin sheds, and this goes on for days until your skin is revealed to be fresh, glowing and new. (Click here for my first hand experience with Fraxel.
Thermage FLX tightens and lifts skin using high intensity ultra sound. I love it as it is just one treatment and no down time. You can safely go out straight after a Thermage FLX and your skin looks fine. But the best part is the skin keeps gradually improving for six months after having it.
You can also just have the lower part of the face which reduces the cost and the time the treatment takes.
Sylvia Down from Skin Renu explains the difference between the two: “ The difference between a Thermage FLX and Fraxel treatment is that Fraxel is more of an ablative treatment, meaning it is more of a resurfacing treatment.
“Thermage FLX uses leading RF technology, and acts like a biostimulator of your own collagen giving a tightening effect.”
The ultimate is to have both treatments together, as Sylvia explains; “The treatments work together, as Thermage targets skin laxity and brings back tightening to the skin.
Thermage also provides long term collagen stimulation, whereas fraxel addresses skin texture damage from natural ageing or sun exposure. It also improves the appearance of fine lines and pigment.
Combined with a suitable skincare regime, with the two treatments, the skin is at its best.”
If having the two treatments, doing Thermage first is ideal as it takes a bit longer to show results. So Fraxel will show some faster if not immediate results.
Whichever treatment you choose, one of the keys is selecting a clinic like Skin Renu with qualified nurses and doctors, to ensure your skin is well taken care of.
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