Does ThermiSmooth shrink the fat underneath facial skin?

Thank you for your question.  I recommend a combination of procedures for optimal results.  Thermismooth is noninvasive and is good for resurfacing fine lines, but ThermiTight can actually lift and tighten your neck and lower face.

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.  In our center, I offer a procedure that we call ThermiSculpture. This combines some liposuction fat removal with ThermiTight. The radiofrequency probe is inserted into the same incisions that are used for the liposculpture. This combination removes fat, stimulates collagen, and tightens and lifts the skin. Consulting a board-certified plastic surgeon who knows how to effectively combine ThermiTight with liposuction will give you the most dramatic and long-lasting results

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

Hi Noor! I would check to see which version of the Thermi device your physician has. The Thermi250 has different hand pieces that allow the radiofrequency energy to travel different depths of the skin. The smaller spot sizes are great for skin laxity treatment. The radiofrequency energy stimulates collagen repair and regeneration, which help to tighten the skin. The larger spot sizes penetrate more deeply to heat and reduce fat cells.I hope this helps!

ThermiSmooth is external radiofrequency energy designed to tighten skin. It can't reduce fat volume as it does not penetrate deeply enough nor does it heat enough to melt or kill fat cells.

Good question!  Thermi Smooth alone does not shrink fat.  The Thermi 250, however, has the ability to shrink fat.  It is all a matter of understanding the physics of the machine.  Thermi 250 has 10 times the power of the Thermi Smooth and depending on what hand piece the physician chooses, you can target different depths beneath the skin (ie targeting skin/dermis for skin tightening, superficial fat for cellulite or deeper fat layers). That's why it is so important to have a face to face consultation and exam with a Board Certified plastic surgeon who understands and has the tools to potentially treat unwanted fat either invasively (liposuction), minimally invasively (Thermi Tight), or non invasively ( Thermi 250, CoolSculpt, etc). That way you have a unique treatment plan developed specifically for your own body issues.

Thank you for a great question.  Unfortunately, there is not a cut-and-dry answer to this one, since there are no studies I am aware of to address this.  I rely on ThermiSmooth and their new device Thermi250 for many applications in my office.  For patients who are concerned about the theoretical risk of loss of facial fat, I ONLY use the smallest head or the bipolar attachment, as I know those heads will not penetrate deeper than the skin or dermis.  The larger the diameter of the head, the deeper the penetration into tissue and the larger heads do cause some shrinkage of the fatty layer.  To date, I have not had a patient lose facial fat volume as a result of using the more superficial ThermiSmooth or Thermi250 treatments, so my gut feeling is that you should experience facial fat reduction if the smallest head or the bipolar head are used, but, again, this is not based on a formal study, but only my own clinical experience.

Hello and thank you for your question.  The answer is it depends on the Thermi device your board-certified plastic surgeon uses during your procedure.  The device your board-certified plastic surgeon uses determines the skin depth that the radiofrequency energy will reach during your treatment.  Fat cells occur at deeper levels within the skin and thus will require higher temperatures for a longer period of time to be treated.  If fat loss is a concern for you as well as skin laxity discuss this with your board-certified plastic surgeon during an in-person consultation.  In conjunction with ThermiSmooth, ThermiTight, a minimally invasive procedure, may better aid your fat loss goals.  Good luck!
- Carl N. Williams, Jr., MD

ThermiSmooth technology does contract fat cells and can be used to reduce small amounts cellulite underneath facial skin. It is, however, most effective in skin tightening. ThermiSmooth predominantly works by gently warming the skin to stimulate collagen production. 

The ThermiSmooth radio frequency generator can shrink fat beneath the skin in the face if that is the goal. The depth of the effects from a ThermiSmooth treatment is related to the size of the hand-piece used. A very small one or a bipolar one will only shrink skin. The depth of the radio frequency penetration is one third the size of the hand-piece. For instance, a 3 cm hand-piece will shrink fat 1 cm deep. The bipolar applicator only penetrates a few millimeters, therefore tightens skin with no fat loss.

Generally, loss of fat in the face is undesirable, so a very small or a bipolar paddle is used. This is been quite effective around the eyes and mouth. The result is basically tighter skin.

The newest addition to the ThermiSmooth is the ThermiSmooth 250, which is much more powerful and useful for shrinkage in the size of the arms, abdomen, neck, etc. Thank you for your question, and it appears you are on the right track. Excellent question.

Please keep in mind this is not a diet/weight loss procedure. The results differ from one person to the next. Thermismooth assists with improving the appearance of aging skin through tightening of the skin and collagen production.  The collagen underneath the skin is heated to a certain temp and maintained at that temp for about 7 to 10 minutes in that specific area. There are some who see some residual fat loss, but again each individual will notice different results. It is always best to seek consultation from a Reputable physician so that he/she can assess your concerns. Go over any and all questions you may have. And Can with the up most confidence go over all your options. This way you can make the best Informed decision for the results you are seeking. 

ThermiSmooth on the face is good for skin laxity particularly around the eyes and the mouth.  The treatment will not affect the fat underneath because it does not reach the depth where fat is located and the temperature necessary to shrink the fat.