Thermage is a non-surgical treatment that firms and smooths the skin using radiofrequency energy. There are no needles, no incisions, and essentially no downtime. It is used for mild looseness and early sagging that comes naturally with time, along the jawline and jowls, the neck, and the forehead and brow. You may see this treatment written as “Thermage FLX/CPT.” These are simply two generations of the same technology. CPT is the earlier version. FLX is the current one, and it is what is used today. FLX treats more skin with each pulse, so sessions are faster, and it added features that make the treatment more comfortable.
A handpiece delivers radiofrequency energy that gently heats the deeper layers of your skin, while the surface is cooled to keep you comfortable and protect it. That deep warmth does two things: it tightens the collagen you already have, and it prompts your skin to build new collagen over the following months. Specific vectoring techniques used in our office drive the energy deeper into the skin, reaching the SMAS layers and creating meaningful lift. Thermage is usually a single yearly treatment, not a series. The handpiece is moved over the treatment area, and with each pulse you feel a brief warmth. A session typically takes 60 to 90 minutes.
Thermage asks for a little patience. You may notice some firmness right away, but the real result builds gradually over about two to six months as new collagen forms. Results commonly last one to two years. Because your skin keeps aging, yearly maintenance treatment helps keep the effect. There is essentially no downtime. Any side effects are usually mild and short-lived, such as temporary redness or mild swelling. More significant effects are rare.
Thermage is a tightening treatment, not a facelift. For mild looseness, it can make a real, natural-looking difference. If your skin has significant sagging or excess, Thermage may not be enough, and we will tell you that honestly, rather than have you spend on a treatment that cannot meet your goal. Thermage is not suitable for people with a pacemaker or other implanted electrical device, and it is generally avoided during pregnancy or over an active skin problem in the treatment area.
Thermage suits mild to moderate looseness beautifully. It is not a facelift. At your consultation, we look at your skin honestly and tell you whether Thermage is the right tool for you, or whether another option would serve you better.
