Multi-Specialty Expert Panel Presents New Thermage(R) Treatment Options at American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting

HAYWARD, Calif., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- A physician panel of cosmetic surgery experts presented the latest scientific advances in capacitive radiofrequency (RF) skin rejuvenation using the ThermaCool(TM) device at the 63rd annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in New Orleans on February 19, 2005. The patented RF device from Thermage(R) received FDA clearance in June of 2004 for the treatment of facial rhythids and wrinkles.

More than 500 dermatologists attended the lecture series, "Thermage of Today," at the Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Course where specialists in plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, occuloplastic surgery and dermatologic surgery provided the latest research findings on Thermage usage that shows:

-- Safe and effective treatment of wrinkled eyelid skin with a specialized treatment tip.

-- Potential new applications to tighten and contour lax skin on the abdomen and other body areas

-- Measurable evidence of tissue tightening and lifting with associated patient satisfaction

-- A prominent dermatologic research center reported dramatic improvement in cosmetic results and patient comfort using state-of-the-art treatment techniques.

"What was most striking about these diverse presentations by this renowned panel of multi-specialty experts is the unique and valuable role Thermage technology plays in each of their cosmetic practices," said course director Michael S. Kaminer, MD, a Boston-based dermatologic surgeon on faculty in the departments of dermatology at Yale University and Dartmouth University. "For the traditional surgeon, Thermage is a non-invasive alternative that provides a treatment solution for those patients who are adverse to the knife and would likely seek another cosmetic specialist. On the flip side, for the specialist who does not typically perform major invasive surgery, Thermage is an effective treatment option for patients who might otherwise have been referred out of the practice for a surgical consultation," stated Dr. Kaminer, who also chairs the Thermage Scientific Advisory Board.

  Highlights from the Advanced Cosmetic Surgery Course include:

  Non-Invasive Tissue Tightening of the Upper and Lower Eyelids

Occuloplastic surgeon Dr. Brian Biesman presented his clinical results of 20 patients who underwent a Thermage procedure to tighten upper and lower eyelid tissue using a specially designed 0.25 cm(2) tip used in conjunction with eye shields. This unique tip underwent extensive safety testing and is now being studied in a group of patients seeking eyelid skin tightening and wrinkle reduction without surgery. The treatments were performed in the office without anesthetic creams, injections, or sedation. No significant complications were encountered with either the skin or the eyes. Treated patients described significant improvement in the appearance of their eyelids, notably modest tightening, smoothing of fine wrinkles on the eyelid skin and "crow's feet," and greater ease in application of makeup due to improved skin texture and tone. According to Dr. Biesman, "These specially designed 0.25 cm(2) tips allow safe treatment of the delicate tissue of the eyelids. This treatment inside the orbital rim cannot be done safely with the larger tips currently on the market." Dr. Beisman is director of the Nashville Centre for Laser and Facial Surgery and is on faculty at Vanderbilt University. This clinical study is part of a larger study being sponsored by Thermage to secure FDA clearance for this specialized tip and eyelid skin application.

Radiofrequency Tissue Tightening of Non-facial Skin

Plastic surgeon Dr. Dennis C. Hammond discussed his independent investigations of the Thermage procedure to treat generalized skin laxity in the abdomen, arms and thighs. Dr. Hammond described the early results of his studies as "promising results, with many cases of remarkable tightening of treated areas and significant contour improvement." Dramatic before and after photographs were presented along with video footage of patients describing the contouring changes they experienced as a result of treatment. Dr. Hammond noted that the outcomes presented were early findings of his own study of the ThermaCool system for an application not currently cleared by FDA. Dr. Hammond is affiliated with the Center for Breast and Body Contouring in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Facial Plastic Surgeon's Perspective

Dr. R. James Koch highlighted the differences between a Thermage "brow lift" and an endoscopic brow lift, noting the clinical indications and patient candidates for each modality. Using before and after patient images, Dr. Koch described photographic techniques he uses to capture the effects of treatment. He favorably compared the measured effects that can be demonstrated for a Thermage "brow lift" with those of an endoscopic brow lift when documented by well-controlled photography. Dr. Koch is affiliated with the ENT Clinic at Stanford Hospital and is on faculty at Stanford University.

Patient Satisfaction Study

State-of-the-Art Treatment Approach

"Compared to the Thermage procedure of a year ago, the Thermage of today is more predictable and more comfortable using lower settings with multiple passes," according to Dermatologic laser surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi. Dr. Tanzi presented the improvements in predictable efficacy and patient satisfaction that she and coauthor Dr. Tina Alster have achieved since adopting state-of-the-art treatment guidelines, which call for multiple passes at moderate settings to achieve visible results at the time of treatment. Dr. Tanzi quoted enhanced efficacy from 65% in her early use of the device, to a new high of 85% of patients treated more recently, with a considerable reduction in patient discomfort using the current treatment algorithm. These results were reported to persist at least 18 months post-treatment and will be published in a peer-reviewed journal in the coming months. Dr. Tanzi is co director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, DC.

About Thermage

Thermage is a leading medical device company that develops innovative aesthetic technologies, including its patented capacitive radiofrequency device, to achieve a desired cosmetic or therapeutic effect on and under the skin surface. Its flagship ThermaCool is currently installed in more than 1,200 dermatology, plastic surgery and other cosmetic surgery practices worldwide. Founded in 1996, the Company's headquarters are located in Hayward, California, proximate to the San Francisco Bay Area and the Silicon Valley.

For more information about Thermage and its ThermaCool system, or to locate physicians using its exclusive radiofrequency technology, log on to http://www.thermage.com/.