If You’re Looking for Thermage Without Sedation in Mok-dong

Mok-dong Thermage

Hello.

I’m Kim Jin-hyun, Chief Director of UNI&U Dermatology Clinic, Mok-dong Branch.

"I want to get Thermage,

but I’m hesitating because I’ve heard it hurts a lot."

"Sedation feels burdensome,

but I’m also scared to get it without anything."

When you hear the word "Thermage,"

the concern over strong pain

may come to mind

just as much as the lifting effect.

Especially if you are sensitive to pain

or it is your first time having a procedure,

the burden can feel even greater.

So the method of getting it as comfortably as possible

is probably the part you’re most curious about.

Today, from the features of Thermage

to research papers that demonstrate its effects,

and even non-sedation anesthesia with AirNox,

I’ll explain everything in detail in about 3 minutes,

so I hope you’ll read to the end.

Table of Contents
1. Thermage FLX: What kind of procedure is it?​2. Thermage effects seen through research papers​3. Comfortable non-sedation anesthesia with AirNox

1. Thermage FLX: What kind of procedure is it?

Mok-dong Thermage

Thermage FLX is an upgraded version

of the existing Thermage,

and it is a lifting procedure that delivers

radiofrequency energy deep into the dermis.

It is known to be effective for

promoting collagen production in the skin,

which helps with lifting and improving fine wrinkles.

You may be curious about how it differs from

Ulthera, which is often compared as a similar lifting procedure.

The biggest difference is the way it works.

Thermage uses radiofrequency

to stimulate collagen in the dermis,

while Ulthera uses ultrasound

to act on the dermis and the SMAS layer.

So Thermage is better known for improving fine wrinkles

and overall firmness,

while Ulthera is stronger for deep tightening.

2. Thermage effects seen through research papers

Mok-dong Thermage

To show you more objective data

about Thermage’s effects,

I brought one related research paper.

Consensus Recommendations for 4th Generation Non-Microneedling Monopolar Radiofrequency for Skin Tightening: A Delphi Consensus Panel

Published in 2020

in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology,

this was a consensus statement

with the participation of 8 dermatology specialists

from the U.S. and Hong Kong.

It is a study in which experts with

an average of 12.7 years of clinical experience

on Thermage FLX gathered

and derived 19 consensus statements

using the Delphi method.

If I briefly summarize the key points,

it goes like this.

First, in terms of effectiveness,

more than 90% of appropriately selected patients

reportedly experienced positive results.

Fig 2. Comparison photo of the jawline before and after Thermage treatment

Also, in a patient satisfaction survey

of 5,700 patients treated with first-generation devices,

87% reported immediate tightening,

92% confirmed lifting effects even after 6 months,

and

94% said they were satisfied

with the treatment results.

The mechanism of Thermage

is that radiofrequency energy delivers heat

to the dermis, breaks the hydrogen bonds

of collagen molecules,

and

causes immediate collagen contraction.

After that, during the wound-healing process,

new collagen regenerates,

and over 2 to 6 months,

the skin gradually becomes tighter.

And what we focused on in this paper

was the specific recommendations for pain management

during the procedure.

According to the paper, during treatment, the heat sensation

felt by the patient is divided into 5 levels from 0 to 4

and used as feedback,

with the target range being between 2 and 2.5.

Fig 3. Patient heat-sensation feedback scale (0–4 levels)

In other words, the energy must be adjusted to a level that is

"hot but still sufficiently tolerable"

in order to secure both effectiveness and safety.

The important point here is that,

as the paper also clearly states,

sedation or strong painkillers are not recommended.

This is because the patient must accurately convey

their heat-sensation feedback

for the procedure to be safe.

Ultimately, the ideal anesthesia method is one that reduces pain

while preserving the patient’s consciousness

and ability to provide feedback.

3. Comfortable non-sedation anesthesia with AirNox

Mok-dong Thermage

So the method receiving attention recently

is the non-sedation anesthesia system using AirNox.

AirNox is a method in which nitrous oxide (N2O)

and oxygen (O2), long used in medical settings,

are mixed in precise ratios and inhaled.

It works by acting on the central nervous system

to reduce pain sensitivity and tension.

Its major feature is that, unlike sedation,

the procedure is performed while the patient remains alert

and fully conscious.

As emphasized earlier in the paper,

Thermage is a procedure that requires

the patient’s heat-sensation feedback,

so AirNox, which reduces pain while keeping you conscious,

is a good match.

Also, when gas inhalation is stopped,

you return to normal condition within a few minutes,

so

you can go back to daily life immediately

without a separate recovery period after the procedure.

It does not require fasting like sedation does,

and there are relatively few restrictions on driving

or returning to work right after the procedure,

so it is especially useful for busy people.

However, it is better to avoid eating an excessively large meal

right before the procedure,

and it is important to breathe deeply and slowly through the nose

during treatment.

If you have hesitated to get Thermage because of pain,

if sedation feels burdensome,

or if you are especially sensitive to pain,

it may be worth considering non-sedation anesthesia

with the AirNox method.

So far, we have looked at Mok-dong Thermage

from the procedure’s features to research data

and non-sedation anesthesia with AirNox,

one by one in detail.

Thermage is a procedure that helps

with lifting and improving fine wrinkles

through collagen regeneration,

but

to achieve the proper effect,

energy must be adjusted according to the patient’s

heat-sensation feedback.

That is why a non-sedation anesthesia method

that reduces pain while keeping you conscious

can be a reasonable choice. ^^

If you are considering Thermage,

please carefully check not only the procedure itself

but also which anesthesia method is used together with it,

and

through a thorough consultation,

choose the direction that is right for you.

Thank you for reading this long post.

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