Reviews you can trust, from real people like you.
How it works
- Our highly-trained Review Moderation team evaluates all reviews before they're published to ensure they're written by people like you and not a member of a doctor's office.
- This multi-step process takes up to 24 hours from review submission to publication.
- Doctors can't pay to have reviews removed or hidden.
- Reviews are only removed at the reviewer's request or if they violate our Terms of Service.
If you have questions or believe we should re-evaluate a published review, let us know.
Sort by:
*Treatment results may vary
18 months ago I began researching Thermage as a...
18 months ago I began researching Thermage as a tummy tuck alternative. The reviews I read on this site scared the crap out of me, mostly because I did not want to waste the cash on a procedure that did not work. I obsessively read through pages and pages of reviews that really only made me feel more confused about what to expect. Eventually, I decided that I did not have too much to lose (besides $$$) and figured that my chances of seeing results would more than likely increase if I were smart about it how I approached it.
Background info on me:
I am 31 years old and have never been pregnant. I suffered from obesity as a child, then lost weight too quickly during the unkind teenage years - this resulted in loose skin in my lower abdominal region. In my late twenties I slowly started to put weight back on. I have never known what it feels like to have a completely flat tummy - no matter how much weight I lost (even at 120 pounds), the loose skin always made me look unattractive naked.
My approach:
If you have done your research, you already know that Thermage works best if you are within 20 pounds of your goal weight. If you are a fitness pro or avid gym-goer, you already know that diet alone will not usually be sufficient to make you look awesome naked (and lets face it, we all go through the agony of weight loss just to look good in our bday suit). The best thing anyone can do is lower their caloric intake while implementing cardio AND weights (weights are incredibly important if you want to get rid of the flabby grossness). I spent 3 months doing 60 minutes of weights (with continual sets and weight increased periodically) 3 times a week. I spent 20 minutes on cardio 3 times a week as well and consumed 1200-1500 calories a day depending on if it were a gym day or not. I gave up all processed and refined foods, dairy, and meat. I incorporated a vegan protein shake into my diet, made sure I took a multi-vitamin and an omega 3, and loaded up on other forms of non-animal protein. I stopped drinking soda and drank no more than one cup of coffee a day. I lost 18 pounds prior to getting Thermage.
The procedure:
The procedure look about 60 minutes to complete, and yes, certain spots were painful. I informed the laser tech that I wanted them to keep the setting as high as I could possibly tolerate and that I wanted them to focus on the lower abs the most. I also asked them to run it over my love-handles. Instead of using the body Thermage tip on my abs, they used the tip that is standard for the face Thermage. We talked about this at length and I decided I wanted them to do that because of how painful the other tip is for people. My goal was to get through the procedure, not stop half way through because I'm a wuss. I do not regret this decision.
The outcome:
We all know that it takes 6 months to see full results. I have not reached this yet - I'm 2 months post-treatment. I'm going to be completely honest when I say that the results you see in the picture may be a combination of few things. These things are as follows:
1) The lighting in the before and after picture are different. The before picture was taken in the morning with natural light. The after picture was taken in the evening - my ceiling fan light was on.
2) The before picture was taken one month prior to the treatment. I lost an additional 6 pounds between the before picture and Thermage treatment.
3) I vacationed to Boston 4 days after Thermage and did not go back home (Phoenix) for 2 months. During this time, no weight was gained or lost and I did not go to the gym. In Boston, everyone walks everywhere. In Phoenix, everyone drives due to distance and heat. Needles to say, I walked a lot on vacation. I did not do any other form of exercise while out of town.
4) From the time I had the Thermage treatment until the time after the picture was taken, I had a 3% fat loss. I have no idea if this is due to Thermage or walking. Again, no additional weight was lost after Thermage... and I am under the impression it does not cause fat-loss, just collagen growth... I could be wrong though.
That's it. That's all I can say about it. I'm posting this because when I read the reviews 18 months ago, I kept hoping someone would explain their before status, preparation, procedure, and results better. I was also thoroughly disappointed that most people did not post a before and after photo. I feel the purpose of this website is to help others make the best informed decision possible and I don't understand how that is possible without proof. So here is the proof. I am willing to post another picture when I hit 6 months (that would make it Dec 2012). If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I hope this was helpful. Good luck! :)
Background info on me:
I am 31 years old and have never been pregnant. I suffered from obesity as a child, then lost weight too quickly during the unkind teenage years - this resulted in loose skin in my lower abdominal region. In my late twenties I slowly started to put weight back on. I have never known what it feels like to have a completely flat tummy - no matter how much weight I lost (even at 120 pounds), the loose skin always made me look unattractive naked.
My approach:
If you have done your research, you already know that Thermage works best if you are within 20 pounds of your goal weight. If you are a fitness pro or avid gym-goer, you already know that diet alone will not usually be sufficient to make you look awesome naked (and lets face it, we all go through the agony of weight loss just to look good in our bday suit). The best thing anyone can do is lower their caloric intake while implementing cardio AND weights (weights are incredibly important if you want to get rid of the flabby grossness). I spent 3 months doing 60 minutes of weights (with continual sets and weight increased periodically) 3 times a week. I spent 20 minutes on cardio 3 times a week as well and consumed 1200-1500 calories a day depending on if it were a gym day or not. I gave up all processed and refined foods, dairy, and meat. I incorporated a vegan protein shake into my diet, made sure I took a multi-vitamin and an omega 3, and loaded up on other forms of non-animal protein. I stopped drinking soda and drank no more than one cup of coffee a day. I lost 18 pounds prior to getting Thermage.
The procedure:
The procedure look about 60 minutes to complete, and yes, certain spots were painful. I informed the laser tech that I wanted them to keep the setting as high as I could possibly tolerate and that I wanted them to focus on the lower abs the most. I also asked them to run it over my love-handles. Instead of using the body Thermage tip on my abs, they used the tip that is standard for the face Thermage. We talked about this at length and I decided I wanted them to do that because of how painful the other tip is for people. My goal was to get through the procedure, not stop half way through because I'm a wuss. I do not regret this decision.
The outcome:
We all know that it takes 6 months to see full results. I have not reached this yet - I'm 2 months post-treatment. I'm going to be completely honest when I say that the results you see in the picture may be a combination of few things. These things are as follows:
1) The lighting in the before and after picture are different. The before picture was taken in the morning with natural light. The after picture was taken in the evening - my ceiling fan light was on.
2) The before picture was taken one month prior to the treatment. I lost an additional 6 pounds between the before picture and Thermage treatment.
3) I vacationed to Boston 4 days after Thermage and did not go back home (Phoenix) for 2 months. During this time, no weight was gained or lost and I did not go to the gym. In Boston, everyone walks everywhere. In Phoenix, everyone drives due to distance and heat. Needles to say, I walked a lot on vacation. I did not do any other form of exercise while out of town.
4) From the time I had the Thermage treatment until the time after the picture was taken, I had a 3% fat loss. I have no idea if this is due to Thermage or walking. Again, no additional weight was lost after Thermage... and I am under the impression it does not cause fat-loss, just collagen growth... I could be wrong though.
That's it. That's all I can say about it. I'm posting this because when I read the reviews 18 months ago, I kept hoping someone would explain their before status, preparation, procedure, and results better. I was also thoroughly disappointed that most people did not post a before and after photo. I feel the purpose of this website is to help others make the best informed decision possible and I don't understand how that is possible without proof. So here is the proof. I am willing to post another picture when I hit 6 months (that would make it Dec 2012). If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I hope this was helpful. Good luck! :)
Provider Review
Ultra Smooth Skin