Thermage^® FLX

Results usually develop gradually over two to six months. For some clients, they may last approximately one to two years, although this varies from person to person.

The full result of Thermage® FLX does not appear immediately after treatment. The skin needs time to repair and remodel collagen. Improvements in firmness, fine lines, and facial contours usually become more noticeable over the following weeks and months.

Some clients notice that their skin feels firmer or that their contours look more defined soon after treatment. These early changes are usually subtle. Temporary tightness or mild swelling may also affect how the area looks during the first few days. For this reason, the final result should not be judged on the day of treatment.

More noticeable results generally develop over two to six months. For some clients, the effects may last approximately one to two years. The duration can be influenced by age, skin condition, the natural rate of collagen loss, sun exposure, sleep, lifestyle habits, weight changes, and daily sun protection.

Thermage® FLX can improve existing wrinkles, skin laxity, and facial contours, but it cannot stop natural ageing. The results are not permanent. A maintenance treatment may be considered when the effects begin to fade.

You may feel brief heat, tingling, or a stinging sensation during treatment. The vibration and cooling features of Thermage® FLX help improve comfort, but everyone experiences the treatment differently.

During treatment, the tip is placed against the skin one area at a time to deliver radiofrequency energy. With each pulse, you may feel a brief heating sensation followed by cooling. The cooling system helps protect the skin’s surface and reduce discomfort.

Thermage® FLX also uses vibration during certain treatments. The combination of vibration and cooling can make the procedure more comfortable. However, these features do not make the treatment completely painless.

The experience varies from person to person. Factors such as the treatment area, skin thickness, amount of facial fat, proximity to the bone, energy settings, physical condition on the day, sleep, anxiety, and personal pain tolerance may all affect comfort. Sensations may be stronger around the forehead, jawbone, eyes, and other areas where the skin is thinner.

Your provider will check your comfort level throughout the treatment. You should not feel that you need to tolerate severe pain to achieve better results. Tell your provider immediately if you feel sharp pain, ongoing burning, or a sensation that feels noticeably different from the surrounding areas. The provider can then reassess the skin contact, treatment area, and settings.

More heat or discomfort does not necessarily mean better results. Treatment should always be planned around safety and your individual needs.

Some clients may experience temporary redness, mild swelling, tenderness, or tightness. Most mild reactions gradually settle on their own.

Thermage® FLX is a non-invasive treatment. It does not involve surgical incisions or microneedling.

Common temporary reactions may include mild redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, sensitivity to pressure, or a feeling of tightness. Some clients have little or no visible reaction after treatment. Others may notice temporary swelling around the eyes, jawline, or other treated areas. Recovery time varies depending on the treatment area and each person’s tissue response.

Official safety information also lists less common adverse reactions. These may include more significant swelling, redness or temporary whitening of the skin, hives, bruising, blisters, burns, scabbing, scarring, uneven skin texture, lumps or nodules beneath the skin, and changes in pigmentation. These reactions do not happen to every client, but they should be understood before treatment.

Unless your provider gives you specific instructions, avoid repeatedly pressing or massaging the treated area and avoid exposing it to high heat. For mild redness or tightness, follow your provider’s instructions for gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection.

Contact the clinic promptly if you develop worsening pain, blisters, burns, noticeable skin irregularities, unusual numbness, swelling that does not improve, or any other concerning reaction. Do not apply strong medicated creams, use heat, massage the area, or undergo another cosmetic treatment without professional guidance.

Most clients can return to work and normal daily activities immediately after treatment. A long recovery period is usually not required.

Thermage® FLX does not involve surgical incisions, stitches, or microneedling. Most clients can leave the clinic after treatment and return to their usual work, social, and daily activities.

However, this does not mean that everyone will have no visible reaction. Some clients may experience redness, swelling, or localized tenderness. This may be more noticeable after an eye treatment or when a larger area has been treated. If you have an important event, photoshoot, wedding, or on-camera appearance the next day, it may be helpful to allow extra time for any individual reaction to settle.

You can usually wash your face and follow a basic skincare routine after treatment. Choose gentle cleansers and moisturizers, and avoid excessive rubbing, exfoliation, or irritating products. If the skin feels sensitive, looks red, or remains warm, temporarily stop using strong acids, retinol, scrubs, and other potentially irritating products. Follow the specific timeline provided by your clinic.

Daily sun protection remains important. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen and consider physical protection such as a hat and sunglasses. Sun protection does not guarantee that results will last longer, but it helps reduce the ongoing effects of UV exposure on skin ageing and pigmentation.

If you experience significant swelling, pain, or another unusual reaction, contact the clinic before exercising or taking part in activities that raise body temperature and circulation, such as saunas or hot yoga.

Thermage® FLX uses radiofrequency energy, while Ultherapy® PRIME uses focused ultrasound. They differ in how energy is delivered, whether real-time imaging is used, the areas they can treat, and the concerns they are designed to address.

Thermage® FLX uses monopolar radiofrequency energy and controlled heating to improve wrinkles and skin firmness. The treatment tip covers the selected area one section at a time. It is often considered by clients who want to improve overall skin firmness, certain fine lines, and facial contours.

Ultherapy® PRIME uses microfocused ultrasound and includes real-time ultrasound imaging. This allows the provider to view tissue layers during treatment and deliver energy at selected depths. Ultherapy® PRIME is generally used for more targeted lifting at specific tissue depths and treatment areas. Its authorized treatment areas in Canada include lifting the face, brows, under-chin area, and neck, as well as improving lines and wrinkles on the upper chest.

The difference should not be simplified to one treatment being “deeper” or “better.” Different facial structures and patterns of ageing require different approaches. For example, one person may be mainly concerned about skin texture and overall laxity, while another may have more noticeable sagging under the chin or around the neck.

Some clients may be better suited to one treatment. Others may benefit from a combined treatment plan after assessment. The recommendation should be based on facial fat distribution, skin thickness, bone structure, previous treatments, and the results you hope to achieve.

The cost depends on the treatment area, degree of laxity, type of treatment tip, and your personalized treatment plan. At Hermosa Med Spa, facial tips are available in 600- and 900-pulse options. The eye tip is typically 450 pulses. A consultation is required to determine the most suitable option and provide an accurate quote.

Facial structure, skin thickness, fat distribution, and degree of laxity vary from person to person. For this reason, Thermage® FLX does not follow one fixed treatment plan or price.

For facial treatments, either a 600-pulse or 900-pulse tip may be recommended. During your consultation, the provider will assess your concerns, treatment area, and degree of laxity. A 600-pulse tip may be suitable for a more focused area, while a 900-pulse tip may be recommended when broader coverage is needed. The final choice will depend on your individual assessment.

The eye area is treated with a specialized eye tip, which typically provides 450 pulses. Depending on the degree of laxity, treatment area, and condition of both eyes, one or two eye tips may be needed. This will also affect the total cost.

More pulses or higher energy do not automatically produce better results. The outcome also depends on how the pulses and energy are distributed, how the treatment is performed, and whether the plan is appropriate for your facial structure and skin condition.

Price is important, but it should not be the only consideration. The source of the device and treatment tips, the provider’s training and experience, the quality of the consultation, and the clinic’s safety protocols can all affect the overall quality of treatment.

During booking and consultation, tell us about your health conditions, medications, implanted electronic devices, and any recent injectable or cosmetic treatments.

Thermage® FLX is not suitable for everyone. You should not receive treatment if you have a cardiac pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or another implanted electronic device. Radiofrequency energy may interfere with these devices. This is an official contraindication, not simply a general precaution.

Before treatment, please tell us if you:

Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

Have diabetes, an autoimmune condition, epilepsy, or another significant health condition

Have a history of cold sores or a recent herpes outbreak

Have an infection, wound, rash, inflammation, burn, or unhealed skin condition in the treatment area

Have permanent makeup, including eyebrow, eyeliner, or lip tattoos, or other implants in the treatment area

Recently received hyaluronic acid, another dermal filler, a collagen-stimulating injectable, botulinum toxin, thread lifting, or fat grafting

Recently had laser, picosecond laser, IPL, RF microneedling, focused ultrasound, or another energy-based treatment

Previously had surgery involving the face, eyes, or planned treatment area

Take prescription medication or have experienced a recent change in your health

Have a history of abnormal scarring, pigmentation changes, or delayed wound healing

If any of these apply to you, tell the clinic before treatment. A qualified healthcare professional should determine whether Thermage® FLX is appropriate for you.

Even if a previous treatment took place some time ago, provide its name, date, product used, and treatment area whenever possible. If you do not know the product name, records or photos from the previous clinic may help with the assessment.

Thermage® FLX may be suitable for people who want to improve wrinkles, skin firmness, and certain contour concerns without surgery.

Thermage® FLX may be suitable for people who want to improve fine lines, skin laxity, or less-defined facial contours. It is generally chosen by clients who prefer gradual, natural-looking changes rather than a dramatic change over a short period.

Suitability is not based on age alone. People of the same age may have very different skin thickness, facial fat, bone support, lifestyles, and patterns of ageing. One person may mainly have thinning skin and fine lines. Another may have fat displacement, loose skin, or deeper tissue sagging. Each concern may require a different approach.

If your main concern is advanced skin laxity, significant fat accumulation, or limited bone support, Thermage® FLX alone may provide only limited improvement.

Thermage® FLX is not designed to completely change your face shape or create a surgical facelift effect. It also cannot guarantee perfect symmetry. Results vary from person to person, so a consultation is important for setting realistic expectations.

Common treatment areas include the eye area, face, under-chin area, and selected body areas. The appropriate areas depend on the treatment tip, authorized indications, and your individual needs.

Thermage® FLX offers treatment tips in different sizes and designs. The treatment plan can therefore be adjusted based on the area and treatment goal.

Authorized uses include the non-invasive treatment of wrinkles, including wrinkles around the eyes and on the upper and lower eyelids. Certain body treatments may also be used to temporarily improve the appearance of cellulite.

Areas commonly assessed during a consultation include:

Upper and lower eyelids

Fine lines around the eyes

Forehead and brow area

Cheeks

Area around the mouth

Jawline

Under the chin

Abdomen, arms, thighs, and other suitable body areas

Skin thickness, fat distribution, proximity to bone, and sensitivity vary between areas. The same treatment approach cannot be used everywhere. The eye area requires a specialized eye tip and appropriate eye protection. Larger body areas may require a tip designed to cover a broader surface.

Not every area that appears loose is suitable for energy-based treatment. Areas with very little fat, thin tissue, existing skin conditions, an implant, or a history of injectable treatment require further assessment.

Treatment time depends on the area, treatment size, type of tip, and your personalized plan.

A focused eye treatment, full-face treatment, face-and-under-chin treatment, and body treatment will each require a different amount of time. Larger areas and more extensive treatment plans generally take longer.

Your total time at the clinic may include:

Consultation and health screening

Cleansing the treatment area

Before-treatment photographs

Assessment of the face and contours

Treatment markings

Planning and device preparation

The treatment itself

A post-treatment check and aftercare instructions

When planning your appointment, allow time for more than the device treatment itself. A first appointment, treatment of multiple areas, or a more detailed medical assessment may require additional time.

The total duration is based on your individual plan. Essential steps such as health screening, skin assessment, and eye protection should never be skipped simply to shorten the appointment.

Thermage® FLX is not designed as a facial fat-reduction treatment. However, people with very little facial fat, a naturally slim face, or existing hollow areas should be carefully assessed before treatment.

Thermage® FLX is a non-invasive treatment designed to improve wrinkles, skin firmness, and certain contour concerns. Facial fat reduction is not its primary purpose.

The impression that the face looks thinner or more hollow after treatment may have several possible causes. These can include naturally low facial fat, age-related volume loss, weight changes, reduced swelling, or a visual change in facial proportions after the contours become firmer.

Before treatment, tell your provider if you already have hollow temples, cheeks, or under-eye areas, or if you have a low amount of facial fat. You should also disclose any previous fat-reduction treatment, fat grafting, fillers, thread lifting, or other contouring procedures.

During the assessment, the provider should consider which areas may be treated, which areas may need to avoid unnecessary energy exposure, and whether the treatment goal is realistic.

Thermage® FLX should not be approached with the goal of making the face as slim as possible. For clients with naturally slim faces, treatment planning may need to be more conservative and highly personalized to maintain overall facial balance.

Yes. Thermage® FLX has a specialized eye tip designed to treat certain wrinkles around the eyes and on the eyelids. Treatment must follow specific eye-safety protocols.

Authorized treatment areas for Thermage® FLX include wrinkles around the eyes and on the upper and lower eyelids. The specialized eye tip has a smaller treatment surface and is designed for the delicate eye area.

Concerns that may be assessed include certain fine lines around the eyes and mild eyelid laxity. The level of improvement depends on factors such as skin thickness, fat distribution, the structure around the eyes, previous surgery, and the degree of ageing.

Not all under-eye bags, dark circles, or drooping upper eyelids are caused by loose skin. Under-eye bags may be related to protruding fat, bone structure, or fluid retention. Upper-eyelid drooping may involve the eyelid muscle, brow position, or another eye condition.

Thermage® FLX cannot replace an eye examination or eyelid surgery. It also cannot improve every type of concern around the eyes. A professional assessment is therefore necessary.

Internal eye shields are used to protect the eyes when treating the upper or lower eyelids or areas within the eye socket. Tell your provider if you have had eye surgery or vision-correction surgery, or if you have dry eye disease, glaucoma, retinal problems, or another eye condition. An appropriate professional should determine whether treatment is safe for you.

Different treatments may be included in one overall plan. However, their timing and order should be based on the treatment type, treatment area, and your recovery.

Thermage® FLX, botox, hyaluronic acid and other fillers, collagen-stimulating injectables, thread lifts, lasers, picosecond lasers, IPL, RF microneedling, and focused ultrasound address different concerns. They do not directly replace one another.

For example, Thermage® FLX is mainly used to improve wrinkles and firmness. Botox targets dynamic lines caused by muscle movement. Fillers are generally used to restore volume, improve hollow areas, or support facial contours. Other energy-based treatments may target pigmentation, skin texture, scars, or laxity at different tissue depths.

A combined plan should begin by identifying the main concern and then arranging the treatments in an appropriate order. Multiple procedures should not be placed on the same day. The correct timing may depend on the injectable product, treatment areas, treatment depth, and how your skin and tissues recover.

If you have received injections in the lips, cheeks, under-eye area, temples, nasolabial folds, chin, or jawline, provide the product name, treatment date, and injection location before having Thermage® FLX.

Do not assume that you can have Thermage® FLX immediately simply because the treated area looks healed. Treatment timing should prioritize safety, tissue recovery, and the overall outcome.

Visit the official Thermage® Canada website and select “Find a Provider” to check whether the clinic appears as a listed Thermage® provider.

Before booking, visit the official Thermage® Canada website and select “Find a Provider.” Enter your city, postal code, or nearby area to see whether the clinic you plan to visit appears in the provider directory.

Check the clinic name, address, and specific location carefully. Different locations may use the same business name, but that does not necessarily mean every location will appear under the same listing. Make sure the address shown online matches the address where you will receive treatment.

In addition to checking the provider directory, consider the source of the device and treatment tips, the provider’s training and experience, the quality of the pre-treatment assessment, and the clinic’s follow-up and adverse-reaction protocols.

At the clinic, you may also ask:

Whether the device being used is Thermage® FLX

Which treatment tip will be used and which area it is designed for

How the tip has been prepared and managed

Which areas will be treated and how the treatment plan was determined

Who will perform the treatment and what qualifications they hold

Whether health screening, skin assessment, and a discussion of risks will take place beforehand

If a clinic does not appear in the online directory, this does not mean that its device is not authentic. Search settings, business names, address changes, or delays in updating the directory may affect the results. Ask the clinic to confirm its registered name and address. If you still have questions, contact Thermage® or Solta Medical through an official channel.

Contact the clinic promptly if you develop persistent or worsening pain, blisters, burns, unusual swelling, skin irregularities, or changes in sensation.

Mild redness, temporary swelling, tightness, or localized tenderness may occur and often improve within a short period. However, if a reaction does not improve as expected or continues to worsen, do not simply wait or try to manage it on your own.

Contact the clinic promptly if you experience:

Pain that continues to worsen or affects daily activities

Blisters, burns, broken skin, or scabbing

Swelling that continues to spread or does not improve

Unusual whitening, darkening, or noticeable pigmentation changes

Dents, raised areas, or uneven skin texture

Ongoing numbness, tingling, or another change in sensation

A persistent lump or nodule beneath the skin

Hives, significant bruising, or another unusual reaction

A possible cold-sore outbreak around the mouth or another treated area

Significant eye pain, vision loss, ongoing tearing, or a foreign-body sensation after an eye treatment

When contacting the clinic, take clear photographs and note when the reaction began, how quickly it changed, your level of pain, and any medications or skincare products you used.

Do not break blisters, massage lumps forcefully, apply strong acids or exfoliating products, or undergo another energy-based treatment before being assessed.

Comfort options should be assessed based on the treatment area, your personal tolerance, and the clinic’s medical protocols.

Thermage® FLX includes vibration and surface cooling. During treatment, you will usually feel a brief heating sensation followed by cooling. These features help reduce discomfort and protect the surface of the skin.

Sensitivity to heat and discomfort varies from person to person. The experience can also be affected by the treatment area, skin thickness, proximity to bone, and energy settings. Sensations may be more noticeable around the forehead, jawbone, and other areas where the skin is thinner.

Whether numbing cream, pain relief, or another comfort measure is appropriate should be determined by a qualified professional based on your health and treatment plan.

Your feedback during treatment is also important. When you can clearly describe the level of heat and discomfort, the provider can respond to how each area feels and make appropriate adjustments. This helps balance safety, comfort, and energy delivery.

Do not take pain medication or sedatives, or apply an unapproved numbing product, without professional guidance. Some medications may affect pain feedback or increase the risk of an allergic or adverse reaction. They may also make it more difficult for the provider to recognize an unusual sensation.

Tell your provider immediately if you feel sharp pain, persistent burning, or a sensation that is noticeably different in one area. Stronger heat does not automatically mean better results. Treatment should be safe, even, and appropriate for your skin and facial structure.

There is no single “best age” to start Thermage® FLX. Suitability depends more on your wrinkles, degree of laxity, tissue condition, and treatment goals.

People age at different rates and in different ways, so age alone cannot determine whether treatment is needed. Some younger people develop laxity earlier because of sun exposure, weight changes, or natural facial structure. Some older people may still have good skin support and relatively little laxity.

If you do not have noticeable wrinkles or laxity and do not have a clear treatment goal, there is no need to begin treatment simply because you have reached a certain age or seen it recommended on social media. Medical aesthetic treatments should address an existing concern, rather than follow the idea that earlier is always better.

Being older does not automatically mean that Thermage® FLX is unsuitable. A professional will assess your skin thickness, facial fat, bone support, degree of laxity, health, and expectations to determine whether the treatment is likely to provide a meaningful improvement.

Keep the treatment area in a stable, healthy condition before your appointment. Tell the clinic about your health, medications, allergies, previous procedures, and implanted devices so that an appropriate assessment can be completed.

During booking and consultation, tell the clinic about your current health, medications, allergies, implanted devices, and previous injectable, surgical, or device-based treatments. Even if a previous treatment took place some time ago, provide the approximate date, treatment area, and product name whenever possible.

Contact the clinic before your appointment if another recent treatment area develops an infection, wound, severe sensitivity, rash, cold sore, significant inflammation, or another unusual skin condition. Depending on how the skin is healing, the clinic may recommend postponing treatment or addressing the condition first.

Avoid strong exfoliation, chemical exfoliants, scrubs, or other treatments that may weaken or irritate the skin barrier before your appointment. If you use acids, retinol, prescription topical medication, or other active skincare products, ask your provider whether you should stop using them and for how long. Do not stop any prescription medication without medical advice.

On the day of treatment, keep the area clean and avoid heavy makeup, waterproof foundation, or thick skincare products that are difficult to remove. For face, eye, or neck treatments, consider wearing clothing with a loose neckline. Avoid jewellery that may cover or interfere with the treatment area.

Allow enough time for consultation, photographs, cleansing, assessment, and preparation. Avoid scheduling the appointment too close to another important commitment.

Before treatment, consider which areas concern you most, what changes you hope to see, and what level of improvement you would consider reasonable. This will help you communicate clearly with your provider and set realistic expectations.