What Is Thermage® and How Much Does It Cost?

While you can't literally turn back the clock on aging skin, some treatments can restore aspects of the youthful qualities of younger skin. Thermage® is one such treatment — an FDA-approved form of radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening.¹

More and more people are getting Thermage, as the demand for minimally invasive skin tightening procedures that don't require downtime and also preserve the epidermis have increased 600% in the past 15 years.¹

Keep reading to learn more about Thermage, including how it works, how much it costs and other information on the procedure.

What Is Thermage?

Thermage is a type of radiofrequency skin tightening treatment used by dermatologists to encourage your skin to produce more collagen and tighten the skin in places where it falls most lax, such as the neck, cheeks, jowls and eyelids, as well as the buttocks, abdomen, hands and other extremities.¹ For example, Thermage treatments can make the lines of the eyes and mouth appear softer; tighten and treat crepey skin; heighten contours, such as around the jaw; and generally smooth out and contour skin where it is applied.²

Types of Radiofrequency Skin Tightening

Radiofrequency skin tightening comes in different electrode configurations:¹

• Monopolar RF: Only one electrode transmits its current. This method has been shown to be more effective than bipolar RF because the RF energy is not modulated between two electrodes. Side effects from monopolar devices are typically swelling and redness. Thermage is a monopolar treatment.
• Bipolar RF: An electrical current is sent between two electrodes, heating only the skin that is between them. This has been shown to treat a shallower depth of penetration than monopolar.
• Hybrid RF: These systems combine monopolar and bipolar electrodes, since monopolar is better at treating a larger volume of skin and bipolar is better for localized treatment.

How Does Thermage Work?

From the scientific perspective, Thermage works by two mechanisms:¹

• Splitting hydrogen bonds inside the collagen, the RF shortens and thickens collagen fibers, causing skin tightening.
• Initiating a “wound healing cascade" that causes elastin to firm up in the skin over three to four months

Who Should Get Thermage?

A good candidate for Thermage is anyone who has mild to moderate skin sagging and is not seeking a more significant form of lifting or reshaping that would require plastic surgery.³

Women who are pregnant, taking some medications or have some medical conditions should speak to their doctor to find out if they can have Thermage.³

How Much Does Thermage Cost?

The average cost of a Thermage treatment is $1,230; however, one treatment can range from $745 to $5,878.⁴ Like many cosmetic procedures, the cost of Thermage can range widely, depending on a number of factors, such as location, your practitioner's credentials and how many treatments you get.⁵

Because Thermage is a treatment that must be performed by a licensed and board-certified cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist, this level of expertise can account for a higher price than you'd find in other settings.⁵

Does Health Insurance Cover Thermage?

Since Thermage is cosmetic and not a medically necessary treatment that aims to restore a person's body to proper functioning, treat a disease or correct a medical problem, it's unlikely that most health insurance will cover it.⁶

What to Expect When Getting Thermage

Because Thermage is a non-surgical procedure, you won't have to make many preparations in advance. Your healthcare practitioner will gently run the applicator over the surface of your skin, which sends the radiofrequency energy into the deeper layers of your skin, ultimately leading to an increase in collagen production. As the procedure is painless, it does not require any topical numbing cream, though your healthcare practitioner may apply a cooling spray as the treatment is underway.⁵

The procedure can take between 60 and 90 minutes.⁵

Is Thermage Safe?

Thermage is a non-surgical procedure, so there are no incisions to heal.¹ Most of the potential side effects of both monopolar and bipolar RF (Thermage being monopolar) are limited to swelling and redness.¹ One study of the literature showed that cases of skin crusting, contour deformities and neck tenderness have occurred, but are rare.¹ So as long as you are receiving the procedure from a board-certified and licensed professional, such as a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon, the procedure is safe.⁷

There are circumstances in which people should first speak to their doctor before obtaining a Thermage treatment, including women who are pregnant, taking certain medications or have some medical conditions.³ Additionally, individuals with a pacemaker or other implanted device should not get Thermage.¹

What Is Recovery From Thermage Like?

Recovery from Thermage is simple. Because Thermage devices include cooling mechanisms to minimize discomfort and swelling, most people recover quickly, with minor skin irritation and/or redness that is temporary. Most people can return to normal activities with no downtime.⁵

How Long Do the Effects of Thermage Last?

Thermage treatments have a visible effect in just one session, though results can continue to show up for between three and six months and may last for between one and two years, results varying.⁵

Thermage vs. Ultherapy: What's the Difference?

Another common form of skin tightening is Ultherapy®, which uses ultrasound waves instead of RF waves to stimulate the growth of collagen in the skin. Ultherapy is better designed for treating the earlier aging signs on the face and neck. It may cause some temporary discomfort.³

Similar to Thermage, the potential side effects of Ultherapy may include redness and skin irritation, which usually resolves within a few hours. You can resume regular activities afterward. The best results will occur within two to three months, and can be maintained for up to a year with good home care.³

A Solution for More Youthful Skin

Thermage is a noninvasive, non-surgical approach to skin tightening and contouring that requires little preparation or downtime for people who want to address crepey skin and minor wrinkles. With results in just one session — and more over time — it's a treatment that can deliver a solution for more youthful skin, quickly.

Financing Thermage With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting Thermage or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Jordan Rosenfeld has been freelance writing for 21 years about finances, health, education and more. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Billfold, Good Magazine, GoBanking Rates, Daily Worth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, Paypal, The Washington Post and more.