Hot to go!

If you and your circle of friends are in or around your 30s and love everything skincare and wellness, chances are Thermage FLX is already on your radar. It&rsquo;s been sitting at the top of my bucket list for a while &mdash; curious and hopeful for a lifted, contoured visage, I jumped at the chance to experience Thermage FLX at MX Clinic. Located in Bangsar, MX Clinic feels more like a chic spa than a clinic with its serene and warm setting. But it&rsquo;s not just the ambience that is inviting; the professional, caring team is why it is one of the most trusted in town. My pre-treatment assessment turned into a mini skin class as Dr Lee Kin Hung walked me through everything I needed to know about Thermage FLX patiently.

What is Thermage FLX?
Thermage FLX is the latest generation of FDA-approved Thermage technology. It uses monopolar radio frequency (RF) to heat the deeper, collagen-rich layers of the skin, separating water molecules from fibrous collagen and causing an immediate contraction. &ldquo;It results in an immediate tightening effect and stimulates the production of new collagen for firmer, smoother skin,&rdquo; said Dr Lee. &ldquo;The results are most visible three to four months after the treatment, and over the next twelve months, the skin will only keep getting better as collagen continues to remodel.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Why Thermage FLX?
Thermage has been the gold standard for non-invasive skin-tightening technology for over two decades. Dr Lee told me that its (well-deserved) hype over these couple of years reflects a shift towards more natural and holistic approaches to beauty. 
&ldquo;Thermage FLX works best for mild to moderate skin laxity,&rdquo; said Dr Lee. &ldquo;As we hit our 20s, collagen production drops 1% each year. Deep tear troughs, laugh lines, mid-cheek grooves and preauricular hollows are some common early signs of ageing,&rdquo; he further explained. &ldquo;For those who prefer not to rush into injectables and are patient for longer-lasting results, Thermage FLX is the way to go for maintaining collagen levels and slowing down the signs of ageing.&rdquo; Alternatively, biostimulators or fillers offer more instant results.

What happens during Thermage FLX?
The prep includes cleansing and topical numbing. Therapist Suzana made sure I&rsquo;d taken off all my jewellery and didn&rsquo;t have any electronic implants before placing a return pad on my back. &ldquo;It completes the RF energy circuit, and any metals in between can cause heat or even burns,&rdquo; she explained as she marked my face with the iconic grid for precision. Then came the first shot. My skin was applied with a coupling gel which according to Dr Lee, works as a conductor for the RF energy and supports smoother gliding of the handpiece. 
Aside from those delicate areas where heat and stinging lingered, I barely felt any discomfort. And that&rsquo;s thanks to Thermage FLX&rsquo;s improved vibration and the cryogen it releases to cool the epidermis. Honestly, my first Thermage FLX experience wouldn&rsquo;t have been the same if it weren&rsquo;t for Dr Lee and Suzana, who were gentle and attentive to everything from the energy level to my skin&rsquo;s reaction. They made sure my comfort and safety were just as important as getting the results &mdash; I knew I was in good hands.

What comes after Thermage FLX?
Suzana wrapped up my session with a soothing mask, followed by a calming serum and a hydrating beta glucan serum. There was no swelling in sight, just a bit of redness that faded within the next hour. I did notice a tightening effect right after the treatment, and now, almost a week later, I am unsure if it was my imagination but my skin feels bouncier to the touch. I&rsquo;ve also been keeping up with my usual routine, paying more attention to moisture and sun protection and staying away from exfoliating products and anything cooling, as Dr Lee advised, &ldquo;Because we want to preserve the heat for a little longer.&rdquo; He also mentioned that Thermage FLX helps with enlarged pores caused by ageing, so I&rsquo;m excited to see how my skin improves over the next twelve months.

The takeaway
When it comes to skin laxity, the modalities are many and varied. As Dr Lee said, it comes down to what you want to achieve and how patient you are for the results to show. Thermage FLX stands out as a non-invasive, one-off treatment that goes beyond an aesthetic fix to address the root cause, stimulating collagen remodelling for long-term rejuvenation. It strengthens the skin barrier and at the same time, sets a healthy foundation for future treatments, even when you go for injectables later. Great things take time!

MX Clinic is located at 139, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.

I finally tried the Thermage FLX — what’s the hype all about?

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