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If Thermage is So Great, How Come People Say They Don't See Results?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Nissan Pilest, MD
Question viewed 52,217 times
Tags: results, skin

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?

17 answers to If Thermage is So Great, How Come People Say They Don't See Results?

Thermage Works

Thermage works great when done by an experienced practitioner who chooses patient selection wisely. To date, this is still the best non-surgical form of skin tightening we have seen. However, there are many variables that are practitioner dependent that can make Thermage not work. #1. Patient Selection is key - patients should only have mild to moderate laxity. Any more laxity then this patients will not see a good result. #2. You must do an... more

Grant Stevens, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

marinaplasticsurgery.com

+15

Thermage

Thermage generally disappoints patients since practitioners overpromise its benefits and do not choose appropriate candidates. Thermage can be somewhat effective for some patients although it fails for a large number of patients. For those that it works on, Thermage provides minimimal correction (generally 1 - 2 mm). Combined with the need to repeat the procedure every year to 18 months, many patients are dissatisfied with the treatment and the money that they spent on it. As a result, we... more

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

+10

Yes, Thermage does work

There is absolute scientific data that shows Thermage works for approximately 94% of properly selected candidates. This has been published in peer reviewed journals and is accepted by the majority of skilled Thermage physicians. The key then becomes who is a properly selected candidate? In my experience (as a disclosure, I was chairman of the Thermage Scientific Advisory Board for 8 years and continue to consult for the company) the best candidates are those with medium sized faces and... more

Michael S. Kaminer, MD
Chestnut Hill Dermatologic Surgeon

Thermage = Low Satisfaction Rate

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... more

Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Thermage seems to be a gimmick

I have yet to meet a patient pleased with Thermage, and I have seen a lot. Most patients would experience excellent results from surgical treatment that doesn't hurt (at least not much). Patients complain that Thermage is extremely painful. There is no way to shrink skin--period. Excess skin requires surgical excision. What is also very disturbing is using Thermage as a trap for patients. There are a number of facial plastic surgeons in my community who sell a fairly useless Thermage... more

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Thermage absolutely works

Thermage works. It won't give you the results that surgery will, but for those wanting a NO DOWNTIME 1 hour procedure, there is nothing better. You will see upper neck and jowl tightening, improvement of the crepiness of the skin around the eyes, cheeks, knees, and abdomen. The prior negative physician's comments are all Plastic Surgeon which prefer the knife to other technologies. I'm a surgeon, but there are people who want something less invasive, with a very natural appearance. Don't... more

Steven F. Weiner, MD
Pensacola Facial Plastic Surgeon

Thermage Results

Thermage is a great treatment. The results depend upon two things. The patient as a candidate for successful treatment The skills of the person performing the treatment. It really depends upon these two factors. The physician who consults you should be able to give you a realistic expectation of the results that you may see. Also, when you are doing your research to find the best place to perform your treatment, make sure you ask them: Who performs the procedure? How much training do... more

Sofia Rubbani, MD
Manhattan Oculoplastic Surgeon

Because Thermage isn't so great!

If you have loose skin on the neck you need surgery to get a nice correction. Thermage has been associated with so many unhappy patients that you should skip this treatment.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Thermage CPT works well if...

We have had the Thermage CPT for nearly one year and the quality and consistency of the results are significantly better than with the old Thermage. Whereas we had many poor responders with the old device, we have nearly none with the CPT. However, as a Plastic Surgeon who can offer my patients any facial treatment from a Botox injection to a deep-plane facelift, I am very frank with my patients about what Thermage can and cannot deliver. In my view, if a patient has the Thermage... more

Arie Benchetrit, MD
Montreal Plastic Surgeon

Thermage and Expectations

Thermage has always been a moderate skin tightening treatment, it has improved significantly since I began using it in 2004, shortly after FDA approval. It is not comparable to plastic surgery yet it is a safe and effective alternative for those not yet ready for the bigger procedures. Some never want surgery and are very content with what Thermage can give them. Thermage should be repeated every year or two, skin laxity continues and treatment should be repeated (even a... more

Susan Van Dyke, MD
Paradise Valley Dermatologist

Thermage

This device has changed many times over the years to try to get results that are reliable and reproducible for patients. I first used it in 2005. It certainly began overpromising and underdelivering and is why you may have read many unsatisfied results at high prices and much pain. There have been efforts to change the parameters, handpieces or tips and number of passes and protocols etc to try to get better results with this approach. Be certain that none of these tightening devices come... more

Shawn Allen, MD
Boulder Dermatologist

Thermage - Works or Not?

The reputation of Thermage took a pretty heavy hit early on when the pain levels were high enough that doctors reduced the number of pulses to save the patients from pain and potential injury. Obviously undertreating left a number of people unhappy. Newer Thermage technology eliminated most of the associated pain so results got better as the technology improved and doctors began using many more pulses but at lighter energies. But... It's good to understand how... more

Nissan Pilest, MD
Irvine Dermatologic Surgeon

Thermage works!

I do not receive any financial compensation from any company, nor am I on any scientific advisory boards for any of the companies who own Thermage or its competitors.Since 2003, I have tested many non-invasive and minimally invasive technologies that have been invented for skin tightening. I am a board-certified dermatologist and I have talked with many plastic surgeons in the Atlanta area to discuss an ideal approach for individual patients..non-invasive or invasive. There is no question... more

Christine Glavey, MD
Atlanta Dermatologic Surgeon

www.alphaderm.com

Expect subtle results from Thermage

Thermage, like other non-invasive treatments, produces subtle changes. Therefore, patients who desire more significant results will generally be dissatisfied with the outcome even though it has virtually no down-time. The key, as others have indicated, is careful patient selection and understanding of the benefits and limitations of the treatment. For a relatively young patient who is not emotionally or financially ready for facial rejuvenation surgery, the older patient... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

The simple reason that some people say that Thermage hasn't worked for them is because it doesn't

Work for everyone. Couple that with the fact that it can take up to six months after treatment to achieve the result, and many patients expect their results yesterday, and you know why many people say it didn't work for them. Having said that, in the properly selected patient, who is educated about the process and what to expect realistically, Thermage can be an excellent rejuvenating treatment that many patients are happy with. I think the key here is to see an open... more

Michael H. Rosenberg, MD
White Plains Plastic Surgeon

Thermage

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... more

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Thermage works but it is not surgery

Thermage absolutely works and can produce beautiful, natural looking results. It tightens the collagen fibers in the skin. The outcome you will have depends on the condition of your skin before Thermage. Younger patients with less sun damage and who don't smoke are going to have better results because their skin is in better shape to begin with. If a patient is older and has sun damaged skin, the starting point for that patient is worse and therefore the results will not be as... more