Thermage - A Growing Body of Evidence

Reviewed by Neil Sadick, MD

Thermage is a non-surgical skin tightening procedure that uses radio waves to lift and firm the skin. It can be used to rejuvenate several areas of your body, including your face, stomach, knees, arms, legs or butt. Thermage — also known as ThermaCool, ThermaLift and radiothermoplasty — was originally used to tighten facial skin, smooth wrinkles and improve facial contours without incisions or downtime. The procedure is often a good option for people who don't want a full facelift, and for those who worry that an injectable filler such as Restylane or Juvederm won't have results lasting long enough.

When applied to the face, Thermage can lift sagging eyebrows, increase the prominence of cheekbones, and redefine the jawline. Additionally, Thermage can tighten wrinkled facial skin, improve the appearance of double chins and turkey necks, and eliminate the signs of aging on the hands.

The Thermage Procedure

Thermage is typically performed in a doctor's office and may take up to an hour, depending on the size and condition of the treatment area. Thermage delivers radio frequency energy to heat collagen, a structural protein located in the deep layers of the skin. Thermage helps build and contract collagen, which in turn tightens the appearance of the skin's surface. During each pulse, the outer layer of the skin is cooled while the deeper layers of skin and fat are heated to induce collagen tightening.

Each energy pulse takes two to seven seconds. The entire face may require 400 to 600 pulses, and the stomach area may require 400 pulses. The amount of pulses for other treatment areas varies.

Thermage Results

Thermage results may be apparent after just one procedure. In fact, some women who have undergone body contouring around their love handles with Thermage have lost 1.5 inches of girth around their abdomen after one treatment.

The skin tightens during the initial process and continues to tighten for three to six months afterward. The procedure also stimulates your body's healing process, which produces more natural collagen over time.

The experience is often described as a deep heating or mild pinching sensation, but a new vibrating hand piece has led to significantly less discomfort.

Still, oral pain medication and a topical anesthetic ointment may be administered before treatment.

Best Candidates for Thermage

Thermage may work best for people who require 1 to 2 millimeters of facial tightening, compared with the 1 or more centimeters offered in a brow lift.

Body contouring candidates include those who have lax skin in the lower abdomen, such as women who have had children. Women with flabby upper arms, inner thighs and buttocks are also candidates for Thermage.

Thermage Side Effects

Thermage side effects are rare, but can include swelling, redness, blisters, peeling, bumps or dimpling. If a side effect occurs, it usually goes away within a few days to a few weeks.

Thermage Cost

Thermage cost ranges between $1,000 and $5,000 per treatment.

If the out-of-pocket cost is too much for you, ask your surgeon about payment plan options. Cost is also increased if other procedures are done in conjunction, or following Thermage.

For example, some women may opt for skin tightening with Thermage following liposuction to firm and tighten their abdomen. For financing options and tips, read our article on patient financing.

Suggested Reading:

• Liposuction
• Mommy makeover
• Dysport
• Botox

About the Reviewer of This Article

Neil Sadick, MD, FAAD, FAACS, FACP, FACPh, is a clinical professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City and the president of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is the immediate past president of the Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and a board member of the American Society for Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. He is a member of the Board of Examiners for the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery and the Global Medical Advisor for Christian Dior Beauty. He has authored more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters to medical books. In addition, he has written or edited more than 10 books on cosmetic surgery, hair and vein treatment. Dr. Sadick has also performed many of the clinical trials on Thermage and other up-and-coming non-invasive body contouring procedures.

[page updated October 2009]