What is the difference between Thermi Smooth, thermi Tight and thermiRF?

All the procedures you've mentioned involve use of radio frequency for heating tissues. The various names (ThermiSmooth, ThermiVa, and ThermiTite) all differ from the anatomic site they're treating and in the temperature of the probe. While ThermiVa and Smooth are externally applied energy (to the vaginal tissues or skin) the ThermiTite procedure applies the energy using a probe placed under the skin. Hope that helps. By the way, none of these procedures is optimal for broken blood vessels. Meeting with board certified plastic surgeon will help figure out what you need. Good luck.

ThermiRF is the name of the device or platform that includes both ThermiSmooth and ThermiTight. Both of these treatments deliver radiofrequency energy into the tissue beneath the skin's surface, where they gently heat the tissue to produce the desired effect. ThermiSmooth sends the RF energy through a handpiece that is guided along the external surface of the skin, while ThermiTight works deeper under the skin into the dermal and connective tissue by administering the RF energy via tiny probes.

ThermiTight is an excellent choice for the jawline, neck, and other areas of the body. It is not typically recommended for the face. ThermiSmooth is safe for any area of the face, especially for the eye area. However, ThermiSmooth requires multiple treatments so I prefer Thermage (another RF device), which has a special probe that can be used on the upper and lower eyelids. CO2 laser resurfacing also tightens the area beautifully and it can be combined with a vascular laser for broken blood vessels. I find both of these procedures produce more satisfying results for my patients. Thermage is less effective but has no downtime and laser resurfacing can have 10 days of downtime for maximal results. I recommend scheduling a consultation with an experienced, board-certified dermatologist and laser expert. Through an in-person assessment and detailed discussion of your concerns and goals, your doctor can customize your treatment plan to your precise needs to ensure the best possible results.

Hello! Great question.  The thermi platform offers multiple modalities to administer radio-frequency heat to tighten tissue. 
Thermi smooth administers RF heat topically and is most often used for delicate areas such as around the eyes and mouth.

Thermi tight administers RF heat via a small incision under the skin and thus can target larger areas that require increased energy for tightening of tissue. Common areas treated with thermi tight include sub-mental region (under the chin), neck, abdomen and knees. 

Thermi Va administers RF heat to the vaginal canal and external vagina topically using an applicator that comfortably administers the RF energy.  

It is common to have a series of thermi smooth and thermi va treatments to achieve optimal outcome.  Thermi tight is considered a one time procedure.  Results are immediate and generally improve for about 6 months post treatment.

The area around the eyes is delicate and thus it is common to combine modalities such as thermi smooth for skin tone, laser treatment for color and broken capillaries and filler for improvement in volume loss.

Always see your board certified plastic surgeon as an appropriate and well executed treatment plan is key for successful outcomes.  

Thank you for your question.  I recommend a combination of procedures for optimal results.

ThermiTight utilizes a small electrode inserted under the skin to heat tissue to a selected therapeutic temperature.  Literature has shown that elevating skin to a therapeutic temperature level can contract collagen molecules and stimulate collagen production, which may give the appearance of lifting or tightening.   Fat reduction is rare, unless set to high temperatures and kept at high temperatures for a significant amount of time .

To best answer your question,  it  depends on how much skin laxity you have.   ThermiTight can work well in the thigh area to tighten skin that is mild to moderately laxity.  Surgery may be a better option, if you have excessive laxity.   Results with ThermiTight vary from patient to patient.  You should experience some overall improvement.

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

#RealSelf100Surgeon

#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Thermi is a radiofrequency energy that treats the connective fibers under the skin with heat. It causes secondary tightening. It's minimally invasive and is usually performed in the office.ThermiVA is for vaginal rejuvenation. It is done without any anesthesia and is painless.ThermiTight treats the subcutaneous tissue directly with a RF probe and is done under local anesthesia.ThermiSmooth is for external delivery of RF heat for thinner skin areas such as the eyelids. This is also painless and non-invasive.

ThermiRF is the name of the machine itself. This machine can be used to perform the ThermiTight procedure where a small puncture site is made, anesthesia is injected, and then a small probe is gently passed just under the skin delivering the RF energy deeply to the tissue. ThermiSmooth is entirely non-invasive and uses a different probe to deliver the same type of energy on top of the skin, heating the tissue topically. 

ThermiRF is the general radiofrequency energy
system that all of the Thermi devices utilize. ThermiTight is a skin tightening
device that uses a probe inserted under the skin to deliver radiofrequency
energy to deep tissue, and is most often used to reduce the appearance of jowls
and tighten skin on the neck, arms, thighs, abdomen and other areas of the body. ThermiSmooth can be used to tighten
the skin on the face including the eye area. It delivers radiofrequency energy
topically, without the probe, and is best for smoothing fine lines and subtly
tightening the facial skin. The
Thermi 250 is a more advanced tightening system like the ThermiSmooth and is
used to tighten skin on the abdomen and thighs in addition to minimizing the
appearance of fatty deposits in those areas.As
for broken capillaries, ThermiRF will not treat those. A treatment such as IPL
(intense pulsed light) or PDL (pulsed dye laser) should be used instead.

Great question, thank you!  It can be a little confusing with so many similar names.  ThermiRF is a general term that can refer to the company, or any of their treatment devices or protocols.  "Radiofrequency" is what the "RF" stands for and that is the energy modality upon which the entire platform is based.  The full list of Thermi treatments is as follows:  ThermiTight, ThermiRase, ThermiDry, ThermiVa, ThermiSmooth, and Thermi 250, formerly ThermiSmooth 250 prior to FDA approval, which occurred in November of 2015.  ThermiVa, ThermiSmooth and Thermi 250 are all non-invasive, non-painful office procedures that may be performed by an esthetician, nurse, or other licensed health care provider (HCP).  All the others are minimally-invasive and require local anesthesia to numb the area being treated and must be performed by an HCP.  In my career, I have not seen a radiofrequency device live up to all its claims like Thermi has.  For the face, you could use Thermi 250, ThermiSmooth, or ThermiTight.  ThermiTight will likely give the most dramatic result, but is also a bit more expensive and does require local anesthesia.  None of these will do anything about spider veins.  Nothing currently on the market will tighten skin like ThermiRF, I am convined.

ThermiRF is a radiofrequency energy delivery system developed by Thermi Aesthetics. ThermiSmooth is a non-invasive device that uses ThermiRF to help tighten and smooth the skin on the face, including around the eyes. ThermiTight uses a probe inserted under the skin to deliver the RF energy, and can be great for helping to reduce jowls and loose skin on the chin and neck, as well as for reducing fat. Broken capillaries around the nose are best treated with IPL or V-beam, which specifically target red pigmentation.

Thank you for the question. With all the terminology, it is often difficult to figure out what devices are actually used for. The ThermiRF (i.e., radiofrequency used to generate heat) is a device that has three modes of treatment. ThermiTight is used as asubcutaneous delivery of heat in the neck and jowl area via a small cannula. ThermiSmooth uses a handpiece to deliver heat through topical application (e.g., around the eyes and mouth), and ThermiRase uses a probe to selectively reduced activity of certain muscles (like "permanent Botox"). I offer each of these treatments in San Francisco. Best of luck moving forward!