Thermage vs. Titan: Which Non-surgical Facelift is Best?

It's certainly a clash of the titans when it comes to non-surgical facelifts. Everyone wants to know what's better: Thermage® or Titan™. Truthfully, it's really too soon to tell. Both Titan and Thermage have their advantages and disadvantages with no clear-cut winner. At the end of the day, the only winner in Thermage vs. Titan is us, the consumer. I may end up sounding like my mother, but I love them both the SAME.

Thermage and Titan Both Build Natural Collagen

Even though they're two completely different forms of technology, these treatments have more similarities than they do differences. They both use energy to penetrate harmlessly to the deepest layers of skin to produce collagen. I know collagen makes us all think about collagen injections and plump Angelina lips, but if you don't know it, our bodies naturally produce collagen, too. Healthy, natural collagen promotes elasticity and wards off fine lines and wrinkles. The difference is Thermage uses radio frequencies (RF) to stimulate collagen growth, while Titan uses infrared light (IR).

Which is Actually Better at Tightening Skin: Thermage or Titan?

That's up to debate with even the most qualified of physicians. Thermage is more powerful and requires fewer treatments; collagen will produce faster and last longer, but that doesn't come without risk. Titan skin tightening offers more even energy dispersal than Thermage, this equates to smoother skin. One major complaint with Thermage is the formation of small lumps during the initial weeks of treatment; it doesn't happen often or to everyone, but it does happen. Thermage can also injure untargeted fat areas, which can lead to dimpling. Depending on which side you support, both claim that their product is relatively painless, while the other is an extremely painful experience. The pain in actuality is comparable and apparent with Thermage and Titan; however, for a point of reference, you should expect to feel more pain at your average trip to the dentist.

Thermage is FDA Approved, but not the Proven Winner

The biggest difference is that Titan is not FDA approved for eliminating facial wrinkles. Titan was approved to "provide topical heating for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain and stiffness." Thermage has FDA clearance for full body skin tightening and for the treatment of facial wrinkles. Thermage is also more readily available and definitely has more marketing hype behind it, but that doesn't necessarily make it better. Just because Thermage is heavily marketed as the "non-surgical facelift" doesn't mean you should expect the same results as a brow lift, min-facelift, or thread lift. Thermage and Titan can eliminate some facial creasing, but not all. These treatments also work best on younger skin, those of you in your 30's or 40's. Cases with more prominent wrinkling will probably see little to no results with either Thermage or Titan.

Thermage or Titan: This Blind Taste Test is up to You

Thermage vs. Titan is not so different than the Coke vs. Pepsi debate; in the end, it's really more about personal taste. Personally, I like RC Cola; you might know it as IPL Photofacial. Definitely not the most powerful wrinkle treatment, but it's safe and reliable. Although, no matter which treatment you pick, if you go in with realistic expectations, you can't go wrong.

Your friend,

Mia :)