Venus Legacy is FDA-cleared to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles for people with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV (pale to light-brown skin), and to temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite. It uses a combination of multipolar radiofrequency energy and pulsed magnetic fields to produce uniform heat under the skin's surface. This triggers a healing response that boosts natural collagen production over time, smoothing skin and helping reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
Venus Legacy is not painful; in fact, it's somewhat relaxing, says Dr. Paul Flashner, a physician in Boston. "It uses multi-polar radio frequency, Varipulse technology, and pulsed electromagnetic fields, which produce a soothing and therapeutic heat matrix over the skin. Some patients state that it's like a heated massage and sometimes they even fall asleep."
For cellulite reduction, the VariPulse applicator combines heat with suction, penetrating deep into the tissue increase blood circulation, boost lymphatic drainage, and reduce fat. This adjustable pulsed suction produces some skin tightening and fat reduction.
Pros
Cons
The cost of your Venus Legacy treatment will depend on the experience level of your provider, their practice location, the size of the treatment area, and how many treatment sessions you have.
Some practices offer special pricing on a multiple treatment package, and many offer payment plans.
The Venus Legacy photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
According to Dr. Josie Tenore, a physician in Highland Park, Illinois, youâre a good candidate if you:Â
Donât have an internal defibrillator or pacemaker; silicone implants or injections in the area being treated; or metal implants, like IUDs, in or around the treatment area.
Depending on the size of the treatment area, you can expect your session to take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. Anesthesia isnât required because the Venus Legacy isnât painful.Â
Your provider will place the applicator on the skin, and it will slowly get warmer until it hits the right range. If it ever feels too hot, tell your provider immediately.
Youâll also feel some light suction, which helps the radiofrequency waves and magnetic fields penetrate deep into the tissue, and this can be lowered if needed. It should be comfortable; some patients report that it feels like a deep-tissue or hot stone massage. Â
The treatment is relatively painless for most patients. âThere is a very mild vacuum component, but it doesnât tug, pull, or hurt,â confirms Dr. Rueckl. âI'd say that it's a one or two on the discomfort scale the first time, but after that, many people nap during their procedures because it's so tolerable.â
Thereâs no downtime afterward. Youâll be able to resume your normal activities and skin-care routine right away.
Most patients need an initial series of 6 to 10 Venus Legacy treatments for optimal results. Youâll return every week for a session until you've completed your treatment plan. Results rely on the stimulation of fibroblast cells to generate new collagen and elastin fibers, so you wonât see final results until three or four months after your last treatment.
âYou should start to see immediate improvement, and it should build from there,â says Dr. Victor F. Rueckl, a plastic surgeon in Las Vegas.
Venus Legacy results from an initial treatment series can last up to 18 months.
After that, you can maintain them indefinitely with quarterly follow-up treatments. âItâs like going to the gym," says Dr. Rueckl. "You donât go for several months and then stop because you look good. You will need to go for maintenance to keep your results stable once you get there.â
Dr. Robert Tornambe, a New York plastic surgeon, says dramatic results arenât guaranteed. âThe real truth is that noninvasive techniques, like radiofrequency, claim âup toâ 30% improvement. However, in most cases, minimalâif anyâimprovement is realized. Ten sessions later, after significant out-of-pocket expense, most patients have been unhappy with the results.âÂ
Older people with significant skin laxity will probably be happier with the results of a surgical procedure. âThese machines were designed for younger patients with a need for minimal improvement,â says Dr. Tornambe.
Venus Legacy is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat wrinkles, fine lines, the appearance of cellulite, and stretch marks on Fitzpatrick skin types IâIV.Â
However, if the treatment is performed by someone whoâs not licensed, experienced, or trained on the device, it can lead to complications like burns, scars, and pain.Â
Some RealSelf members report very poorâsometimes disfiguringâresults due to a seeming redistribution of fat.Â
Make sure youâre visiting an experienced provider and that youâre a good candidate.
If youâre looking to tighten skin without losing fat, Venus Freeze may be a better treatment option than the Venus Legacy.
Both treatments use radiofrequency energy and electromagnetic pulses, but Venus Freeze targets fine lines and skin laxity without targeting cellulite, so thereâs no suction during the procedure.
Updated February 20, 2024