ThermiBreast: What You Need to Know
Pros & cons
How much it costs
What to expect
What recovery is like
How soon you see results
Fast facts
ThermiBreast is a nonsurgical, scar-free treatment that uses radiofrequency (RF) to treat mild sagging of the breasts and nipples with little downtime. Part of the Thermi family of treatments, which includes ThermiTight, the treatment works by delivering RF energy under the patient’s skin, causing it to contract and create a subtle lifting effect. You may see some immediate tightening, and because it stimulates new collagen production, your breasts should continue to tighten for up to a year.Â
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and takes an hour or less to perform. ThermiBreast won’t replace a surgical breast lift, but “it’s an exciting option for those with small- to medium-size breasts who have some sagging and don’t want surgery,” says Dr. Stanley Okoro, a plastic surgeon in Marietta, Georgia, in a RealSelf Q&A.Â
In early studies, ThermiBreast lifted the nipple anywhere from 1–5 cm [0.4–2 inches], but results vary, says Dr. Kenneth Bermudez, a plastic surgeon in San Francisco. Other doctors point out that it’s not possible to anticipate the degree of breast tightening prior to the procedure.Â
“It will contract and tighten skin, but the question is, how much?” says Fayetteville, North Carolina, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Edward Dickerson. “In the breast area, we’re talking about going against a mass effect of gravity. It might tighten or maybe even up the breasts by about two centimeters [a little less than an inch]. It will not give a significant effect in terms of enhancing volume or lifting the breasts where we’re changing the angle of the nipple.”Â
Many doctors on RealSelf recommend a healthy skepticism about the procedure, saying that they haven’t seen it produce noticeable results.Â
There are only a handful of ThermiBreast reviews from RealSelf members, but one 40-year-old patient says the treatment is “awesome” and helped return her mildly sagging breasts to where they were in her early 30s.
Pros
- It’s a nonsurgical, scar-free way to modestly tighten and lift skin.Â
- The treatment is safe for all skin tones.
- Subtle results may be noticeable immediately, with continued improvement for up to a year.
- The treatment can be performed on just one breast, to improve symmetry.Â
- There’s no downtime; you can resume your regular activities the following day.Â
Cons
- ThermiBreast is not for everyone. Good candidates are happy with their current breast size and have mild to moderate sagging of the breasts and nipples.
- Results are unpredictable and can be very subtle. The procedure is not a substitute for a surgical breast lift.
- It won’t affect breast volume. If you want to restore lost volume, you’ll need to consider breast augmentation.Â
- Breast tissue will continue to age and relax, so results aren’t permanent—they typically last up to two years. Follow-up treatments are required to maintain your results.
- Average Cost:
- $3,475
- Range:
- $2,400 - $4,500
The price you pay will depend on your provider's level of experience and practice location.
Because this is a cosmetic procedure, it won't be covered by insurance.
Prior to treatment, local anesthesia is administered to the breasts. Once the breasts are numbed, a few tiny incisions are made near the areolas. The Thermi probe is inserted under the patient’s skin through these incisions and used to deliver sustained RF energy at a calibrated temperature.Â
As the RF heat reaches the tissues, it causes collagen to contract and strengthen, tightening and lifting the breasts. It also stimulates the creation of additional collagen.
Following treatment, the incisions are covered with a bandage. The nipple area will feel tender initially, and you’ll have some mild swelling, bruising, and numbness of the breasts that usually resolves within a week.Â
Downtime isn’t required, but you may want to take a day or two off work. The incisions heal with no visible scarring.
One RealSelf member reported developing a Mondor’s cord, which is an inflamed vein, following ThermiBreast. Mondor’s cord usually clears up over a couple of weeks of treatment with heat and ibuprofen, according to Munster, Indiana, plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Frank.
Some improvement may be seen immediately, but typically it takes about two to three months for patients to see results. According to San Antonio plastic surgeon Dr. Connie Hiers, the tissue will continue to slowly tighten over a period of several months. Full results become visible 6–12 months after treatment.
Updated June 13, 2023