What Is Thermage® and How Much Does It Cost?

While you can't literally turn back the clock on aging skin, some treatments can restore aspects of the youthful qualities of younger skin. Thermage^® is one such treatment — an FDA-approved form of radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening.¹

More and more people are getting Thermage, as the demand for minimally invasive skin tightening procedures that don't require downtime and also preserve the epidermis have increased. In 2023 alone, there were nearly 440,000 of these treatments in the United States.²

Keep reading to learn more about Thermage, including how it works, how much it costs and other information on the procedure.

What Is Thermage?

Thermage is a type of radiofrequency skin tightening treatment used by dermatologists to encourage your skin to produce more collagen and tighten the skin in places where it falls most lax.¹ This includes the neck, cheeks, jowls and eyelids, as well as the abdomen, hands and other extremities.³

For example, Thermage treatments can make the lines of the eyes and mouth appear softer, tighten and treat crepey skin, heighten contours such as around the jaw and generally smooth out and contour skin where it is applied.⁴

Types of Radiofrequency Skin Tightening

Radiofrequency skin tightening comes in different electrode configurations:¹

• Bipolar RF. An electrical current is sent between two electrodes, heating only the skin that is between them. This has been shown to treat a shallower depth of penetration than monopolar.

• Monopolar RF. Only one electrode transmits its current. This method has been shown to be more effective than bipolar RF because the RF energy is not modulated between two electrodes. Side effects from monopolar devices are typically swelling and redness.⁴ Thermage is a monopolar treatment.

How Does Thermage Work?

From the scientific perspective, Thermage works by two mechanisms:¹

• Splitting hydrogen bonds inside the collagen, the RF causes the collagen fibers to contract and rearrange, thus tightening.

• It also causes neocollagenesis, essentially increasing the growth and production of new collagen and elastin.

Who Should Get Thermage?

A good candidate for Thermage is anyone who has mild to moderate skin sagging and is not seeking a more significant form of lifting or reshaping that would require plastic surgery.³

Women who are pregnant, those taking some medications or people who have medical conditions should speak to their doctor to find out if they can have Thermage.³

How Much Does Thermage Cost?

The national average cost* of a Thermage treatment in the U.S. is $1,230, but the cost can range from $745 to $5,878 depending on a number of factors, such as location, your practitioner's credentials and how many treatments you get.⁵

Calculate the cost of a Thermage treatment near you

Average cost of a Thermage treatment by state/district

Below is a breakdown of the average cost* of a Thermage treatment across all 50 states and the District of Columbia:⁵

Does Health Insurance Cover Thermage?

Since Thermage is cosmetic and not a medically necessary treatment that aims to restore a person's body to proper functioning, treat a disease or correct a medical problem, it's unlikely that health insurance will cover it.⁶

What to Expect When Getting Thermage

Because Thermage is a non-surgical procedure, you won't have to make many preparations in advance, though you will likely have a consultation prior to getting treatment.⁶

As your healthcare practitioner runs the device over your skin, sending the radiofrequency energy into the deeper layers of your skin, you are likely to feel warmth and heat. For very sensitive skin, you can ask for a cooling spray.⁷

Time can vary depending on the area treated and the practitioner. The procedure can take between 20 minutes and 2 hours.⁷

Is Thermage Safe?

Thermage is a non-surgical procedure, so there are no incisions to heal.⁸ Most of the potential side effects are limited to swelling and redness.⁴ Minor pain, blisters or bumps can occur but typically last just a few days or weeks.⁸ As long as you are receiving the procedure from a board-certified and licensed professional, such as a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon, the procedure is safe.³

There are circumstances in which people should speak to their doctor before obtaining a Thermage treatment — women who are pregnant, those taking certain medications or people who have some medical conditions.³ Additionally, individuals with a pacemaker or other implanted device should not get Thermage.¹

What Is Recovery From Thermage Like?

Recovery from Thermage is simple. Because Thermage devices include cooling mechanisms to minimize discomfort and swelling, most people recover quickly, with minor skin irritation and/or redness that is temporary.⁸ Most people can return to normal activities with no downtime.⁶

How Long Do the Effects of Thermage Last?

Thermage treatments have a visible effect in just one session, and varying results may last for between one and two years.⁸

Thermage vs. Ultherapy: What's the Difference?

Another common form of skin tightening is Ultherapy^®, which uses ultrasound waves instead of RF waves to stimulate the growth of collagen in the skin. Ultherapy is better designed for treating the earlier aging signs on the face and neck. It may cause some temporary discomfort.³

Similar to Thermage, the potential side effects of Ultherapy include redness, bruising and numbness, which are usually temporary. As with Thermage, you can resume regular activities afterward.³

A Solution for More Youthful Skin

For people who want to address crepey skin and minor wrinkles, Thermage is a non-invasive, non-surgical approach to skin tightening and contouring that requires little preparation or downtime. With results in just one session — and more over time — it's a treatment that can quickly deliver a solution for more youthful skin.

Financing Thermage With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting Thermage 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

Jordan Rosenfeld has been freelance writing for 21 years about finances, health, education and more. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Billfold, Good Magazine, GoBanking Rates, Daily Worth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, Paypal, The Washington Post and more.