Scarless Arm Lift Cost and Procedure Guide

Do your arms keep waving even after you’ve said your goodbyes? If so, you know the struggle of “bat wings.” As you age, muscle loss occurs, causing arms to become flabbier, leaving behind loose fat and lax skin that resists diet and exercise.¹

If you’re battling bat wings, don’t be discouraged; there is hope. A surgical procedure called a brachioplasty, or upper arm lift, offers one solution. But there is even better news: modern non-surgical arm lift procedures may help you tighten and tone your arms without surgery or visible scarring, giving you the confidence to bare your arms again.²

What Is a Non-Surgical (Scarless) Arm Lift?

Non-surgical skin tightening uses devices, injectable threads or other minimally invasive techniques to tighten and contour your upper arms. In general, these treatments work by stimulating collagen production, destroying fat cells or physically lifting sagging tissue without surgical scarring. However, not all procedures and treatments are approved for this area of the body.³

Non-surgical arm lifts address several common concerns:⁴

• Excess skin due to loss of elasticity or weight loss
• Fat pockets in the upper arms
• Loose or crepey skin
• Mild to moderate skin sagging due to aging

Benefits

A non-surgical arm lift can offer these potential advantages:⁴

• It tones and tightens mild to moderately loose skin on the arms without surgery or scars.
• Most treatments are performed in-office.
• Procedures are typically less expensive than surgical options.
• Results can last for up to a year or longer, depending on the treatment.
• The procedure often takes an hour or less.
• There is little to no downtime needed for recovery.
• There is a low likelihood of adverse effects when performed by a qualified provider.

Limitations

These types of treatments can also have their drawbacks:⁵

• Not all of these treatments are effective for advanced skin laxity caused by age, pregnancy or extreme weight loss.
• Results are not final for several weeks or months.
• Treatment may require maintenance over time.

Types of Scarless Arm Treatments

When it comes to tightening your skin and reducing fat without major surgery, there are several alternatives. These procedures work through different mechanisms — some use radiofrequency energy (RF) to heat tissues while others freeze fat cells until they die.

• Cryolipolysis. CoolSculpting® is a type of treatment that uses controlled cooling to achieve a process called cryolipolysis that targets and freezes fat cells without harming the surrounding skin or tissue. The treatment works best for people with pinchable fat pockets rather than loose skin.⁶
• Radiofrequency treatments. RF treatments like Thermage® use controlled thermal energy to heat the deep layers of skin to stimulate collagen production. This technology improves skin laxity and creates a firmer appearance over time.⁷
• Thread lifts. Thread lifts use temporary sutures to create an immediate lifting effect in sagging arm skin. The threads physically reposition the tissue while stimulating collagen production as they dissolve.⁸
• Ultrasound therapy. Ultrasound fat reduction is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that uses highly focused ultrasound waves to target and break down fat cells in specific areas of the body, such as the upper arms, abdomen and flanks.⁶

How Much Do Non-Surgical Arm Lift Treatments Cost?

The national average cost* for a scarless arm lift can range from $745 to $5,878. Costs differ based on factors like where you live and the type of procedure.⁹

Average cost of non-surgical arm lift treatments by procedure

Here are the average costs* and cost ranges of non-surgical arm lift treatment options.⁹

Factors that impact overall pricing

Your treatment costs depend on more than just where you go and what procedure you need. Several other factors will affect your final bill.⁹

• Costs vary by area, with higher costs in more affluent regions.
• Highly experienced practitioners tend to charge more for their services.
• Multiple sessions may be needed to achieve the best results, which can raise the overall cost.
• Treating larger areas (like the body) is more expensive than smaller areas (like the face).

Does Insurance Cover Scarless Arm Lifts?

Insurance companies consider non-surgical arm lifts cosmetic procedures. That means your health insurance won’t cover the cost, even if loose arm skin causes physical discomfort or limits your activities. Without insurance, you’ll need to pay for the full treatment out of pocket.

How Does Each Technology Work?

What bothers you more, excess fat in your upper arms or loose, sagging skin? Have you experienced significant weight loss recently? The answers to these questions are key to helping you determine which procedure is right for you. Let’s take a closer look at how each works.

Cryolipolysis

CoolSculpting is FDA-approved for targeting stubborn fat deposits in the upper arms when diet and exercise have failed. Using controlled application of cryotherapy, the procedure reduces the thickness of the fat layer, creating a more contoured appearance.⁶

During treatment, your provider will place a specialized applicator on your arm that creates a vacuum seal. You’ll feel intense cold for the first few minutes before the area becomes numb. Each arm usually takes less than an hour to treat. The controlled cooling crystallizes fat cells at temperatures that won’t hurt skin or nerve tissue. Your body then processes and eliminates these cells over a two- to three-month period.⁶

Radiofrequency treatments

RF treatments primarily address loose, sagging skin on the arms. They provide contouring, improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of cellulite, reduce crepiness and create overall tightening. Some RF therapies also have mild fat-reduction capabilities. This treatment works particularly well for mild to moderate skin laxity.⁷

You can book RF treatments at a cosmetic medical spa or doctor’s office. During the procedure, your provider will move a wand-like device over your arm in sweeping motions, delivering precise amounts of thermal energy. RF waves penetrate deep into the dermis, heating the tissue to specific temperatures that trigger collagen remodeling. The device monitors skin temperature to ensure safety. You’ll feel warmth similar to a hot stone massage. Sessions typically last about an hour for both arms. It may take several months to see the full effects, and the results can last for two years.⁷

Thread lifts

Thread lifts address moderate skin sagging and loss of definition in the upper arms. Thread lifts create an immediate lifting and tightening effect while improving skin texture over time. The treatment works best for skin laxity rather than excess fat.⁸

After numbing the area, your provider will insert thin needles containing special threads beneath your skin. These threads have tiny barbs or cones that grip underlying tissue and hold it in place. Your provider adjusts the threads to lift and reposition sagging skin. Over the next few months, threads dissolve and stimulate new collagen growth. The procedure only takes about 30-45 minutes for both arms.⁸

Ultrasound therapy

This treatment helps reduce localized fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise, particularly in areas like your upper arms, abdomen, flanks (love handles), hips and thighs. It is not intended for significant weight loss but rather for body contouring and shaping by targeting stubborn fat pockets.⁶

Your provider will use a similar technology to ultrasound imaging to visualize the tissue layers beneath your skin. But unlike imaging, fat reduction techniques use ultrasound to deliver precise energy at optimal depths. The ultrasound energy causes rapid pressure changes that disrupt fat cell walls, releasing the fat inside to be metabolized and eliminated naturally by the body. The method is FDA-cleared and includes brands like UltraShape® and Liposonix®.⁶

Preparing for a Non-Surgical Arm Lift Procedure

Use your consultation appointment to share your specific goals — whether that’s wearing tank tops confidently again or simply feeling better in your own skin. Remember that it’s natural to have questions or concerns about the procedure, recovery time or results. Bringing these up during your consultation doesn’t make you difficult; it makes you an informed patient who’s actively participating in your care. The more openly you communicate, the better your provider can address your unique needs and help you achieve the results you’re hoping for.

Pre-procedure guidelines provided by your medical team may include instructions to avoid medications like blood thinners or over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammatory medications. Be sure to verify when to stop as well as when or if it’s ok to restart them.

While non-surgical options typically require less recovery time than traditional surgery, you may need a few days of rest to help your body heal effectively and avoid complications. Make sure you ask if you’ll need help with activities like bathing, dressing changes and driving.

The Takeaway on Non-Surgical Arm Lifts

Non-surgical arm fat removal and skin-tightening treatments help contour and tighten your upper arms without scarring and, most importantly, without surgery. Treatment costs vary by location and the technology used, but thanks to procedures like CoolSculpting, radiofrequency ablation, thread lifts and ultrasound therapy, you can target stubborn fat and eliminate sagging skin, leading to a more sculpted appearance with minimal downtime.  

Financing Scarless Arm Lifts With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting a skin tightening treatment or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Pamela Cagle, R.N., has extensive experience in a range of clinical settings, including ER, surgical and cardiovascular. For the past decade, she has leveraged her nursing experience in writing for health and technology publications such as AARP, VKTR, National Council on Aging and others. She is passionate about blending her medical and storytelling expertise to bring authenticity to health and wellness topics.