Can I get a facelift if I had Thermage 6 years ago?

Question

I had 3 Thermage treatments about 6 years ago. Can I still get a facelift and what are the chances this could cause complications?

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Dear Trustworthy,

Great question—and one I get more often than you'd think as patients consider moving from non-surgical to surgical options.

Yes, you can absolutely still have a facelift after Thermage treatments—even if you had three sessions, and even if they were years ago. In my professional experience, having performed facelifts on patients with a history of Thermage and other energy-based treatments, this does not complicate your facelift procedure.

In Summary:
✅ Yes, you can safely undergo a facelift after Thermage.

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

Yes, any non-invasive treatment on the face/neck can create scarring that will make the surgery more challenging. This is because scar distorts the natural tissue planes.

Jill Hessler, MD · Answer

You can definitely have a facelift despite having 3 theramge treatments 6 years ago. I have frequently performed facelifts on patients that have had thermage, filler, ultherapy, morpheus and other facial treatments with great results.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

You should be able to have a facelift after Thermage.  You have waited a signifcant amount of time and any scarring associated with this therapy should have remodeled sufficiently.  The soft tissue in the neck may have additional scarring that may make dissection a bit more challenging but should preclude having a face and neck lift.

Jose Telich, MD · Answer

Dear Trustworthy1493, thank you for your question!
Yes, you can absolutely have a facelift after having Thermage treatments, especially since your last session was six years ago. 
By this point, any collagen remodeling or tissue changes from Thermage will have stabilized, and an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon will be able to assess your anatomy and plan your surgery accordingly. There are no specific complications tied directly to previous Thermage treatments when enough time has passed, and many patients who’ve tried non-surgical skin tightening eventually pursue surgery for longer-lasting, more significant results.
Be sure to discuss your full aesthetic history with your surgeon during the consultation so they can tailor the procedure safely and effectively for you. You're on the right track!

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, hope you are well. The simple answer is 'yes', you may absolutely still have facelift surgery after undergoing Thermage treatments many years ago. There is a very low likelihood that any potential complications could be attributed to this.

Best,
Dr. Tower

Best,
Dr. Tower

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Yes, it is absolutely possible to undergo a facelift after having Thermage treatment. Thermage utilizes superficial radiofrequency energy, which does not interfere with the deeper anatomical structures addressed during a surgical facelift. While there is some concern in the literature about radiofrequency treatments potentially affecting surgical outcomes, superficial RF such as Thermage does not compromise the integrity or effectiveness of a subsequent facelift.

Nashielli Torres Espinosa Chiu, MD · Answer

Yes, you can still be a candidate for a facelift after Thermage, even if you had several treatments in the past. However, it’s important to keep in mind that radiofrequency-based procedures like Thermage can lead to internal fibrosis, which is a type of scar tissue that may affect the way facial tissues respond during surgery.
The presence of fibrosis can make tissue dissection more challenging, and the risk of complications is closely related to the current quality and elasticity of your skin and underlying structures. This is why a thorough, in-person evaluation is essential to determine the best surgical approach in your case.
I would be happy to assess your facial anatomy, skin condition, and surgical goals during a consultation and provide a personalized plan to achieve safe, natural, and long-lasting results.

Michelle Lee, MD · Answer

Yes, you are still a facelift candidate after Thermage treatments. It is important that your surgeon is aware of any treatments you've had in the past. Thermage and similar noninvasive treatments can, in some cases but not all, create scar tissue in the deeper layers of the face and neck. This can make the surgery itself a bit more complex, however, doesn't necessarily increase complications. These days, most cosmetic surgery patients have had some sort of non-invasive intervention in the past and it is not uncommon to work with scar tissue in a primary facelift. Hope this helps!

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

Assuming that you were in good physical health, there should be no reason why you can’t proceed with your facelift in spite of your Thermage treatments from six years ago. Some plastic surgeons report that people treated with these energy base systems, have slightly less skinny elasticity due to the thermal injury of the treatment. However, facial rejuvenation is still likely be achieved in spite of these small drawbacks. Discuss this with your plastic surgeon and give a full accounting of what non-invasive and invasive treatments, such as fillers, etc, that you’ve had to your face so that proper planning can be done. Best wishes.