"Isn't Thermage one of those treatments where the stronger and the more shots you fire, the better the result?"
"I tried it once but didn't really feel anything. Was it done too weakly?"
These are questions we hear all the time from people thinking about Thermage.
Hello, I'm Director Kwon Si-jin & Yoon Ju-hyun at DA Clinic Myeongdong ^^
We're getting ready to open our doors in Myeongdong soon, and since so many people have been asking about Thermage ahead of our opening, we wanted to put together this overview for your information first.
Let me start with the bottom line. Thermage isn't a treatment where hitting harder gives you a better result.
Read this for just 3 minutes and you'll see the standards worth keeping in mind, wherever you have it done.
Thermage Is a Treatment That 'Heats the Dermis'
Thermage is a tightening treatment that delivers monopolar radiofrequency (RF) into the dermis.
The principle is that heat instantly contracts collagen, and then over the following months new collagen builds up.
It's easier to picture if you imagine ironing out a wrinkled shirt while at the same time reweaving the fabric ㅎㅎ
DA Clinic Myeongdong is preparing to open with the Thermage FLX, and the FLX generation has improved tips and algorithms so the energy goes in more evenly and the burden of pain is reduced.
First, It's Not About 'Intensity' but 'the Right Energy'
Many people think, "Since I'm getting it done anyway, hitting it harder will make more collagen."
But collagen responds best within a set temperature range.
If the energy goes in stronger than necessary, the risk of burns and pain rises before any regeneration does.
So what matters isn't sheer high intensity, but how evenly the energy is delivered to match your skin thickness and the treatment area. This is exactly the point where results diverge even when the same device is used.
Second, Be Sure to Check the Tip and the Number of Shots
Thermage is a treatment that uses a genuine tip, and a set number of shots' worth of energy is delivered through that tip.
So rather than "how many times you've had it," what matters far more is "whether you received the proper number of shots with a genuine tip."
It's a good idea to check before the treatment which tip is being used and how many shots you're getting.
This is something that helps you keep in mind no matter which clinic you go to.
Third, the Effect Is Built 'After' You've Had It
When you look in the mirror right after Thermage, you might think, "Huh, nothing's really changed?"
The real change appears slowly over the 2~3 months, and as long as half a year, while collagen builds back up.
It's a treatment where what comes afterward matters more than the moment right after.
So after the treatment, avoiding UV exposure and moisturizing thoroughly has quite an influence on the result. (results may vary by individual)
Honestly, We Don't Recommend It for These People
Thermage isn't the answer to every kind of sagging.
If skin sagging has progressed significantly, or if deeper-layer laxity is your concern, RF tightening alone has its limits.
In those cases, honestly, a different approach may suit you better, so we think it's right to talk it through together during the diagnosis.
This isn't a piece saying you should get Thermage no matter what. Knowing the direction that suits your own skin comes first.
FAQ
Q. Does it hurt a lot during the treatment?
A. The pain from Thermage is a stinging or hot sensation at the moment of heating, and in many cases it isn't unbearable. That said, it varies by area, so spots close to the bone like the forehead or around the mouth can feel a bit more stimulating. With the FLX generation, the improved tips and delivery algorithms spread out the impact that reaches you at once, so the burden of pain is reduced compared to before. Before the treatment we apply plenty of numbing cream, and during the treatment we cool the heat with a cooling device as we go, so most people get through it comfortably. Still, if you're sensitive to pain, let us know in advance and we'll adjust the intensity and pace. Please keep in mind that how much you feel differs from person to person.
Q. About how many times should I have it?
A. Thermage is usually a treatment you have once a year, on its own. The idea is that a single treatment instantly contracts collagen and then regenerates it over the following months, so you can expect improved firmness for a certain period. However, since aging continues even after the treatment, the effect isn't fixed permanently. That's why many people have it again about once a year, checking their condition as they go. The right interval changes depending on your skin firmness, age, and lifestyle habits, so rather than having it frequently no matter what, it's best to set the interval to match your own skin condition.
Q. Can I go back to my daily life right away after?
A. Thermage is a treatment you can resume daily life from the same day. It isn't a procedure that involves incisions or inserting threads, so there's almost no downtime where you have to rest separately to recover. Most people can wash their face and wear light makeup right after the treatment, and even if some redness or a mild warm feeling remains, it usually settles within a few hours to a day. That said, for the first few days after the treatment it's a period when collagen is responding, so avoiding UV exposure and moisturizing thoroughly will help your result. It's safer to put off activities that apply a lot of heat, like saunas, jjimjilbang, and intense exercise, for a few days.
In closing
If we sum up today's content in one line, it's this.
With Thermage, it's not intensity but 'the right energy, a genuine tip, and managing the regeneration period' that makes the result.
This piece isn't one that recommends a treatment; it's something we put together for your information as we prepare to open.
DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon. We'll share news of our opening and treatment information first on our blog and Instagram ^^
Thank you for reading this long piece. This was Director Kwon Si-jin & Yoon Ju-hyun at DA Clinic Myeongdong.
This column is an informational article meant to provide general medical information, and the effects and side effects of treatments may vary by individual. DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon. (Medical Service Act Art. 56)