How Effective is Thermage?

Question

I am interested in having Thermage for my face, but I found quite different opinions about it. I am wondering if all the patients used the machines made by the company Thermage? Is it a problem of the approach or of the company and doctor?

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Themage Not Ideal for loose skin

	Thermage has noticeable but very limited results.Like other skin resurfacing procedures it tends to tighten the skin to an extent to smooth some of the fine lines, improve pigment problems and diminish pore size. What they do NOT do well is to minimize jowls and other signs of facial soft tissue laxity. Only a mini facelift or facelift will take care of this problem in a significant fashion. This is why satisfaction after Thermage treatments are rated so low

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD (retired) · Answer

The original Thermage was from all accounts, patients and physicians who bought the machines, was pretty much a disaster. It was painful and ineffectual and many physicians reluctantly had to give the money back to their patients. It was probably too early to bring the product to market.
     The company then gussied up the machine and proclaimed that using different parameters and techniques the units were far more successful. In a bit of surprising honesty (why am I always surprised when a salesperson concedes a fault in their product) the reps that visited me told me the original Thermage was not that good but the new one was great. In these sales presentations I was shown terrific before and after pictures and told to call certain physicians whose patients were having breath-takingly successful results. 
    Well, after calling around and discussing potential purchase with colleagues I know and whose opinion I value, it seems to me that in some patients, maybe quite a few, there are great results. However, many other patients are still disappointed. 
    Unlike say fillers, the fault may be in the technology of the machine, and not problems with the practitioner. You may get a great result but I have a feeling there is an equal if not greater chance of disappointment. 
Sorry.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

The problem with Thermage is that the doctor using it can't truly tell what quality of result you will get and you don't get your money back if you are disappointed.  I have personally done 6 facelifts on patients who had Thermage elsewhere and all said "they got nothing from it."  I just can't go along with a treatment with such marginal outcomes.  Don't be fooled by claims that newer ways of using Thermage have now worked the inadequacy out of the system.  That's just a company and the doctors who bought into it trying to survive with failing equipment.

How Effective is Thermage?

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Everything you need to know about Thermage

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How Effective is Thermage?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Thermage

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.