Thermage NXT vs Thermage TC vs Alma Accent

In principles, there is no difference in clinical outcomes bet the TC and the NXT. However practically speaking there is because of the shorter lapse time between pulses on the NXT machine that one can get better results from it than from the TC.

As you see from the attached thermage-issued slide show its sales reps use, the effective clinical targets are to heat collagen containing dermal layer to 56-60 degree celsius AND to maintain such temp range for 1-2 mins (though my goal is 2-3 mins long). Therefore the more rapid pulse firing of the NXT device would make it easier for the treater to "get there and stay there" more efficiently. Personally, I don't have such problem using the TC device (by the way, I have both devices). When using the TC device, you want to make smaller sections on the face or abdomen or wherever then start and finish one section at a time. Make sure that within each section that any treated 3cm square per pulse is "re-pulsed" within 30-60seconds, this will ensure that any heated square will be effectively brought to the correct temp range and maintained there for those 2 mins.

One more thing you asked was about the Alma Accent, it is of the "same" monopolar RF platform technically speaking combined with bipolar RF. The difference which I see is with thermage tips you know for sure they deliver the RF at consistent depth (2.4 mm or 4.3mm depending on the tips STC or DC). With the Alma Accent, I don't think the company has been able to provide the exact information on this thu I heard the depth was about 2.4 also but not any deeper.

From an email I received. Does anyone with experience with Thermage NXT, Thermage TC, or Alma Accent have anything else?

I have the accent, and it works really well on some, and naag on some...it is a hit or miss.
I dont think there will ever be a treatment that can effectively handle sagging skin except the invasive co2 treatment.
Even with co2 treatment, the tightening is modest so to speak.

I have been using accent for a little while now, it is producing some good initial result in the first 3-5 weeks, then after subsequent treatments, my patients will expect more and more down the road. However, there is only so much lifting with such low power accent or the thermage ( i had seen my partner producing similiar result using thermage as my accent).

Thermage just launched the new CPT system. I want to give it a try. Anyone has any comment on the latest CPT thermage from Solta?

I'm thinking of getting the Alma Accent instead of the Thermage. It's insane to charge a minimum of hundreds of dollars just to cover your consumables costs with Thermage.. Also, the consumables makes buying a used system near-impossible unless you pay the extortional "user certification" fee, which seems illegal to me.

Skin tightening device all act on the premise of heating deep dermal collagen, causing contraction, and neo-collagenesis hen achieving tightening results. The outcome of these treatments regardless of device RF , Infra-red, or laser is highly dependent on patient selection. From my experience, patients who sleep well and eat protein-rich diet fair much better than sleep-deprived vegetarians. Patients beyond age of 60 also lack the neo-collagen synthesis momentum younger patients benefit from. I am doing a lot of liquid face lift now on my older patients. Botox and fillers can consistently provide the phtographic results patients want. Of course the skin tightening device come in handy in my practice because there are still many people out there whom are affraid of needles and anything invasive.