Mitchell J. Mandel, MD, FAAD
Dermatologist, founder · All offices
Medically reviewed by Mitchell J. Mandel, M.D., F.A.A.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist. Last reviewed .
Thermage is a non-surgical radiofrequency treatment that heats the deeper layers of the skin to tighten existing collagen and help the skin make more. Most people need only one treatment.
It can treat the face, the skin around the eyes, the neck and areas of the body. There are no needles and little to no downtime.
Come with clean skin, free of makeup and lotion. Remove jewelry from the treatment area. Tell your provider about any implants or devices in your body.
A temporary grid is marked on the skin. The handpiece cools the surface, delivers a short pulse of heat, then cools again. You will feel brief moments of deep heat. Treatment time depends on the area.
The skin may be red or slightly swollen for a few hours. Most people go back to normal activities right away.
Some people notice tightening right away. Results keep improving over 4 to 6 months as new collagen forms, and often last a year or more.
Thermage uses radiofrequency energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin, which tightens it and helps it build new collagen over time.
Most people need one treatment. Some come back later to maintain results.
You will feel brief pulses of deep heat. The handpiece cools the skin before and after each pulse to keep you comfortable.
Little to none. Mild redness or swelling usually fades within a day.
Some tightening can show right away, with gradual improvement over 4 to 6 months.
Results often last a year or more, depending on your skin and age.
Yes. There is a specific treatment for the skin around the eyes, including the eyelids.
Adults with mild to moderate loose skin who want improvement without surgery. It does not replace a facelift for very loose skin.