Does Thermage Cause Facial Fat Loss?

Question

I've read that Thermage causes facial fat to dissolve after treatment, such that there are patients who blogged online that they regret having had thermage at all. Their cheeks and undereyes hollowed out.  Is this true?

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Although I can not say that there has not been a case, I can say that I have not heard of a case of fat loss with the new thermage treatment compared with the old treatment

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

When used according to the manufacturer's guidelines, Thermage does not cause fat loss.  Many years ago, some surgeons were performing Thermage with the patient heavily sedated and used very high levels of energy which melted fat.  This treatment protocol was never endorsed by the Thermage company and they advised doctors to use low levels of energy with multiple passes.  We have always used this protocol and have never seen a case of fat loss.  Please consult a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon for your Thermage treatment.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

When thermage first came out, it wsa used to tighten the skin. Some clinicians felt that if a little heat is good  then alot of heat is better. This lead to burns and facial soft tissue atrophy.   While it may cause some skin tightening, it is not a miracle worker and does not replace a facelift when it is needed.

George J. Beraka, MD (retired) · Answer

To tin,
We use Thermage to tighten the skin and we have never seen fat atrophy.
With Thermage, everything depends on how you do it ( what head?, what grid?, how many passes?, what energy level?).

Does Thermage Cause Facial Fat Loss?

Answers (4)

Answer: This should be a very rare complication.

Answer: This should be a very rare complication.

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Everything you need to know about Thermage

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

Does Thermage Cause Facial Fat Loss?

Answers (4)

Answer: This should be a very rare complication.

Answer: This should be a very rare complication.

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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.