Oligio vs. Thermage
As we age, the production of the structural proteins collagen and elastin begins to decrease, leading to increased skin laxity, which emphasizes the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture. Decreased skin elasticity – or loose skin – can affect many areas of the body, with decreased collagen production contributing to signs of aging on the lower face, along the jawline, including the appearance of jowls, around the eyes, on the neck, decolletage, arms, legs, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Loose skin on the face and body causes many patients to look for an anti-aging skin skin-tightening treatment. Many patients hold the false belief that a surgical facelift performed by a plastic surgeon is required to erase these signs of aging. However, several non-surgical collagen regeneration procedures are available for a full anti-aging, contouring, and skin-tightening effect. With many skin rejuvenation and skin tightening treatments available, it can be difficult to determine which is the safest and most effective at providing a firming and lifting effect. That is why the best first step is to schedule an appointment with expert board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.
Two treatments that are known worldwide for their skin-tightening effects are Thermage, which is considered the Gold Standard for skin tightening and rejuvenation, and Oligio. Both treatments employ radiofrequency technology to boost new collagen production at the treatment area for tighter, smoother, more youthful-looking skin without the need for any downtime or recovery time. Oligio treatment, also known as “Oligo,” is a treatment that is only available in Korea at present. It uses monopolar radiofrequency (Monopolar RF) to penetrate the dermis and boost collagen production. Thermage, on the other hand, is available and FDA-approved for use on many areas of the body in the United States. With an intelligent cooling system for increased patient comfort during the procedure, different tips for addressing different areas of the body, and long-lasting results, Thermage is always Dr. Green’s first choice when addressing high skin laxity, reducing the appearance of cellulite, and contouring the body.
Experienced board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green has been masterfully treating patients in her Upper East Side New York City dermatology office for more than 25 years. An expert in a wide range of cosmetic and medical treatments, including Thermage, Ultherapy, Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, microneedling, and more, Dr. Green is well-known for creating unique treatment plans for each patient. Frequently recognized for high patient satisfaction, Dr. Green has been voted one of the best dermatologists in New York City by such publications as Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors.
What is Oligio?
Oligio is a high-frequency skin-tightening treatment that uses mono-polar radiofrequency technology to lift, firm, and tighten the skin. The skin lifting treatment is typically used to address high skin laxity on the lower face, which can manifest in the appearance of jowls along the jawline, nasolabial folds, and a double chin. When the handpiece is applied to the treatment area, waves of radiofrequency energy are emitted, causing the collagen fibers to contract and triggering the body’s natural healing process, resulting in the production of new collagen. Oligio treatment exists primarily in Korea and is often available to book over WhatsApp, meaning it is difficult to find the treatment in the United States.
What is Thermage?
Thermage is a radiofrequency skin-tightening treatment that is often considered the Gold Standard for addressing high skin laxity and reversing signs of the natural aging process. Several generations of Thermage devices are available, but Dr. Green will most often turn to Thermage FLX, which is the most recent addition to the Thermage family of RF devices. With a larger treatment tip of 4cm, Thermage FLX can cover 25% more surface area than previous models in less time. New proprietary AccuREP technology allows optimal delivery of radiofrequency energy for more collagen production and greater patient comfort. Thermage can be used across many areas of the body, including the face, neck, decolletage, hands, arms, legs, buttocks, and abdomen. The treatment delivers stunning, natural-looking, long-lasting results without the risk of serious side effects or the need for any downtime.
How does Oligio monopolar RF work?
Oligio treatment employs monopolar radiofrequency energy to heat the dermal layer of the skin, increasing the production of new collagen. When the Oligio treatment device is applied to the treatment area, radiofrequency energy at 6.87 MHz is emitted, penetrating the dermal layer of skin where the radiofrequency beam is converted into heat energy. The heat causes controlled damage to the tissue, causing the fibroblast cells to produce new collagen. Over time, as collagen production increases, the skin becomes tighter and firmer, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin texture, and contouring the skin. The Oligio treatment device is equipped with a cooling gas and temperature sensor to keep the skin cool during the treatment and increase patient comfort.
How does Thermage skin tightening work?
Thermage also uses radiofrequency energy to heat the inner layer of skin to boost new collagen production. The radiofrequency energy emitted from the Thermage device results in an immediate contraction of the collagen-rich fibers in the dermal layer of the skin, which provides patients with some visible skin tightening immediately following the treatment. However, the full results of the treatment will become visible 3-6 months post-procedure, as Thermage relies on the body’s natural healing process to produce skin-tightening results. When the radiofrequency energy is emitted, it is transformed into heat energy, which boosts collagen production over time, resulting in smooth, firm, contoured skin.
What is the procedure for non-surgical facelift skin tightening treatment?
When patients begin to notice increased skin laxity (loose skin), some believe that the only way to achieve smooth, firm skin is to undergo a surgical facelift. However, this could not be further from the truth. Dr. Green has several non-surgical skin tightening treatment options available at her Upper East Side New York City dermatology office—providing patients with smooth, clear, evenly textured skin without the need for any surgery. The first step to getting started with skin tightening therapy is to book a consultation appointment with Dr. Green, who will examine the treatment area to determine the treatment or series of treatments that will best meet your aesthetic needs and goals. When it comes to skin tightening, however, Dr. Green will typically turn to Thermage, which is considered the Gold Standard for skin rejuvenation, tightening, and contouring.
The treatment time necessary for Thermage depends on the size and scope of the treatment area, but, on average, Thermage treatment will take an hour or less. Dr. Green will begin by outlining a grid on the face or body, marking the spots where the radiofrequency device will be applied. When the Thermage device is pressed on the skin, patients may feel heat followed by a cooling sensation to maintain the temperature of the skin and increase patient comfort during the procedure. Patients may experience a “glow” to the skin following the treatment process, but there is no risk of serious side effects and no downtime necessary.
What is the best skincare after my skin tightening treatment?
To best maintain the results of your skin-tightening procedure, Dr. Green always recommends the use of sunscreen during your daily skincare routine. Exposure to UVA and UVB rays can emphasize signs of the natural aging process, such as the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, areas of hyperpigmentation, and skin laxity. As such, Dr. Green recommends that patients apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every morning after cleansing and moisturizing. Additionally, Dr. Green often recommends the use of retinol and Vitamin C in patients’ skincare routines. Retinol, which is a vitamin A derivative, helps to boost new collagen production and promote skin cell turnover. Vitamin C, which is a powerful anti-oxidant, also increases skin cell turnover while brightening the complexion and protecting the skin from oxidative stress.
How long does Oligio last?
The full effects of Oligio treatment become visible after three to six months and will remain visible for up to a year. Similarly to Oligio, the full effects of Thermage treatment also become visible three to six months post-treatment. However, Thermage results can be seen for up to two years, making it a very long-lasting non-surgical treatment. Patients who wish to maintain the results of Thermage radiofrequency treatment can schedule regular maintenance sessions approximately once a year.
What is the frequency of Oligio?
Oligio is a monopolar radiofrequency treatment that emits radiofrequency at 6.78 MHz. The beam of radiofrequency energy emitted by Oligio treatment can penetrate the dermal layer of skin to heat the collagen-rich fibers there. To maintain the results of Oligio treatment, patients will need to receive touch-ups approximately once every year.
Does Oligio hurt?
Oligio monopolar radiofrequency is designed with patient comfort in mind. When the device is applied to the skin, the energy emitted is converted into heat. However, the Oligio device is equipped with cooling gas and an intelligent cooling system, which stops the emission of RF energy if the skin becomes too hot. These safeguards prevent damage in the form of burns.
Oligio vs. Thermage vs. Ultherapy vs. HIFU
Oligio and Thermage are two skin-tightening treatments that use radiofrequency energy to heat the dermal layer of skin, triggering the body’s natural healing response and boosting collagen production for tighter, firmer, smoother skin. Ultherapy and HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound), on the other hand, use ultrasound energy to heat and tighten the skin. While Ultherapy is often used cosmetically as an anti-aging treatment, HIFU is generally used for medical purposes, such as tumor treatment. When choosing between these treatment options for skin tightening, Dr. Green will always choose Thermage. While Ultherapy can penetrate the deeper dermal layers to tighten the skin “from the inside out,” Ultherapy is much more painful than Thermage and can cause unwanted side effects, such as unexpected fat loss, which can negatively impact the contour of the face.
What are the benefits of Oligio?
Oligio is a skin tightening treatment that originated in Korea and is used to address signs of the natural aging process there. It can be used to address the following conditions:
- Skin laxity associated with the natural decrease of collagen and elastin production due to age
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Large pores
- Double chin caused by loose skin
- Jawline contouring
The treatment relies on the body’s natural wound-healing process to boost collagen production for smoother, firmer, tighter skin. It provides patients with natural-looking results that continue to improve 3-6 months post-treatment.
What is the Korean version of Thermage?
Oligio is a monopolar radiofrequency skin-tightening treatment that is sometimes referred to as the Korean version of Thermage. Thermage is often considered one of the best skin-tightening treatments available worldwide, as it produces natural-looking results that last for up to two years. Oligio is not available in the United States.
Is Oligio better than Thermage?
Thermage is considered the Gold Standard for skin-tightening treatments and is a safer, more effective treatment than Oligio. Dr. Green will always turn to Thermage over other treatments like Ultherapy, HIFU, and Oligio. Thermage FLX is the latest Thermage device, which delivers precise radiofrequency emissions with a cooling gas to tighten the skin without any discomfort during the procedure. Following the Thermage treatment, patients will notice an immediate skin tightening effect as the collagen fibers contract. Treatment results will continue to improve over the next three to six months, with the full effects of the treatment visible for up to two years.
How often can you do Oligio?
The effects of the Oligio treatment will remain visible for up to one year post-treatment, so typically, Oligio treatments are repeated once per year to maintain the treatment results. The full effects of Thermage treatment can be seen for up to two years after the procedure. Typically, Dr. Green recommends that patients schedule a touch-up appointment once per year to maintain optimal results.
What is the Oligio laser?
The Oligio laser is a monopolar radiofrequency laser used for skin rejuvenation and tightening. It has two tips available for addressing different areas of the face and body. The larger F4.0 tip is ideal for larger surface areas, such as the lower face, jawline, and neck, whereas the smaller E0.25 tip is better for more delicate areas of the face, such as around the eyes. The Oligio laser is not FDA-approved for use in the United States and is, therefore, not readily available for use in the US.
What is the Oligio facial?
The Oligio facial is a procedure in which the Oligio radiofrequency laser is applied to the face to address age-related skin laxity. When applied to the treatment area, the Oligio device heats the inner layer of skin (known as the dermis), triggering the body’s natural collagen production response. Over time, as collagen production increases, skin elasticity improves, reducing the appearance of fine lines, contouring the lower face, and improving skin texture.
How do I get started with skin tightening treatment today?
Collagen and elastin are structural proteins naturally found in the body that keep the skin smooth, firm, tight, and youthful-looking. As we age, the body’s natural production of these proteins decreases, leading to increased skin laxity that can emphasize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture, and cellulite. Luckily, there are skin-tightening treatment options available that do not require any surgery or downtime. In Korea, Oligio monopolar radiofrequency skin-tightening treatment is on the rise as one of the more popular treatment options. However, most often, Dr. Green will turn to Thermage, which is considered the gold standard for skin tightening due to its ability to be used anywhere on the body, low risk of discomfort during treatment, and long-lasting results. To find out which treatment option is best for you, schedule your initial consultation with expert board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green.
Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board-certified dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience providing her patients with the best non-invasive treatment options. Dr. Green takes a holistic approach and embraces a less-is-more philosophy, creating customized skincare routines and treatment plans that cater to the unique concerns and aesthetic goals of her patients. She is consistently identified as one of New York’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, New York Magazine, and Super Doctors for her dedication to her patients and expertise. Please call us at 212-535-3088 or email our New York City-based office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michele Green and find out how to get started with skin tightening treatment today.