Is there any risk of having facial fat melted off when you undergo thermage, or is the technology safe?

Your question is an excellent one.  In the early days of Thermage (it has been on the market since 2002), higher energies were used and a small number of patients did develop facial fat atrophy.  Over the years, advances in Thermage technology and treatment guidelines have essentially eliminated the risk of this complication.  At sufficiently high energies or if performed by an inexperienced operator, fat atrophy and other complications can occur with Thermage and other RF treatments.

I do not have personal experience but have been at a plastic surgical meeting where panel members noted that fat transfer to the face or hands can "melt" with RF devices such as Thermage.

Radiofrequency tightening does not cause any damage the underlying fat.  I suggest going only to an expert for this type of treatment.  Best, Dr. Emer.