You Can Treat THAT?!

if you have a question about an irregularity on your skin, there’s a very strong chance we know what it is and what to do!

We’ve been using this modality for a while and are excited to share the results and experiences with you. It has been a huge success in treating skin abnormalities of all types. Sometimes, clients may think these are permanent or are too shy to ask about things on their face, neck, or chest, so let’s learn more about this exciting modality we have available for your benefit. 

What is radio frequency thermocoagulation?  

Radio frequency thermocoagulation, specifically the machine we use called Thermoclear, uses both low- and high-level heat radio frequency heat waves to vaporize the fluid of the skin abnormality without penetrating the epidermis. Come again? Basically, we have a tool that treats benign skin growths that are not beyond our scope of practice (such as moles or skin cancer).  

What can it treat? 

It can treat small capillaries, milia, fibromas, sebaceous hyperplasias, cherry hemangiomas, seborrheic keratoses, skin tags, dermatosis papulosa nigras (DPN), sun spots, and cholesterol deposits (xanthomas). You may not know what many of those actually are, but they commonly affect the skin in the form of mystery bumps and discolorations. It’s worth asking at your next facial treatment if it’s something we can treat! 

What is the downtime? 

The treated lesion will scab over, and some skin abnormalities scab more and for longer than others. To ensure the best results, you want to avoid itching the area and try to keep the scab intact for as long as possible. Plan on having a scab for 5 to 14 days. You’ll want to avoid excessive sweating for the next few days, but you can wear makeup to cover the scabbing.

Does it hurt? 

A little, but it’s tolerable and is mostly just irritating. It’s quick though, similar to an extraction. Pain varies with different areas of the face and different skin abnormalities.

What is the cost? 

We don’t charge for RF thermocoagulation! It’s a free courtesy that we include in our treatments for those who are a candidate. We like to think of it as an extraction. It’s our duty to help you achieve your healthiest, clearest, most comfortable skin; we don’t believe that should be considered an expensive add-on procedure. 

How is this different from what a dermatologist would do? 

Sometimes, they use similar devices, lasers, or cryotherapy to freeze lesions. However, doctors typically do not focus on aesthetics. They are more concerned with removing lesions that could be cancerous or dangerous. While some derms may treat more aesthetic concerns, they typically charge exuberant fees.

The beauty of Thermoclear is that it treats only the epidermal layer of skin. This means no permanent damage can occur since we do not go as far as the dermal layer. It might mean a few more zapping sessions to fully eradicate those lesions, though. But at a free cost and low risk, we are happy with that trade-off!