Thermage

Farbod Esmailian, MD answers: If Thermage is so great, how come people say they don't see results?

My doctor recommended Thermage for the loose skin on my neck, jowls and eyelids, but I don't know anyone who has done it and I don't really think it will work.  If Thermage is so great how come a lot of people say they don't see results?


Farbod Esmailian, MD
3 months ago

You need to ask who says something is great.  Is it the physician themselves?  You first need to make sure the surgeon your are seeing is really a plastic surgeon and is board certified.  Lets start there.  There are dermatologist and physicians out there that have thermage or other non invasives as their sole mode of facial rejuvenation.  So you have to be aware.  I am not saying that everyone that comes into the office needs surgery but you need to see a plastic surgeon who offers both modalities so that you can have the proper pros and cons presented to you.

Good luck.

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A: Thermage = Low Satisfaction Rate

Daniel Reichner, MD
9 months ago

The patient satisfaction rate for Thermage is around 40% - Compare that to a Tummy Tuck with around 80%.  You would think that for a "no down-time", less expensive, less painful treatment you would have greater satisfaction.  The reality is that the treatment does not work very well despite all the cheerleading.  Unfortunately, there are lots of companies that really "market" these products to doctors who sick and tired of dealing with insurance companies and the hassles of taking care of patients related to their formal training.  They are encouraged  to break into the cash-based cosmetic medicine industry. 

The problem is that most of these doctors have no formal surgical training.  Would they tell a patient that they need a neck lift or charge them $1000 for a thermage treatment?  This is the ethical conflict that many of these doctors find themselves in - they can't personally offer the full range of therapies to their patients without suffering a financial loss. 

I would recommend that you consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon so you can discuss all the options that are available.

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