Thermage® FLX
Thermage® CPT™A non-invasive skin tightening treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate deep collagen regeneration.
Thermage® Before & After Cases in Nanjing
Below are selected Thermage® success stories completed by our clinical team for clients in the Nanjing area.
Case 1 · Thermage® FLX Real-World Results
- Client profile
- Asian female · Fitzpatrick IV
- Concerns addressed
- Thermage® FLX (Multimodal Combination Plan — Comprehensive Improvement)
- Treatment plan
- BTL Exilis Ultra™ + BTL Exilis Ultra 360 + Fotona™ 4D + Fotona™ 4D lifting, and 15 additional modalities (multiple sessions within 3 months)
- Treatment outcomes
- Thermage® FLXVisible improvement with Thermage® · Results look natural overall
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) risk
- No PIH
- Maintenance
- Regular sun protection + monthly at-home care + quarterly clinical assessments
Case 1: Asian Female · Fitzpatrick IV · Thermage® FLX as part of a comprehensive plan for volume loss, melasma, freckles, age spots / sun spots, pigmentation, neck lines, skin laxity, facial sagging / jowling, skin aging, tired-looking / aged / fatigued appearance, uneven skin tone and facial fatigue, undefined jawline, masseter hypertrophy, excess cheek fullness / facial fat accumulation, hollow cheeks · loss of mid-face volume, refined contour, Luowei skeletal facial sculpting, facial skin remodeling, facial contouring and fat reduction, double chin, chin retrusion, thin lips, and dull skin tone, Uneven skin tone, rough texture / irregular surface, skin fatigue and loss of elasticity — Core component of a comprehensive treatment plan (multiple sessions within 3 months) · Led by our physician at Luowei Medical Aesthetics Clinic, Nanjing
Why Choose Luowei Medical Aesthetics Clinic for Thermage®
Luowei Medical Aesthetics Clinic Combining clinical expertise with advanced technology to deliver exceptional Thermage® outcomes.
Our experienced medical team ensures every client receives a personalized treatment plan tailored to their unique needs.
- Licensed Aesthetic Technician team
- Internationally leading device
- Comprehensive in-depth consultation
- Safe and comfortable treatment environment
- Convenient location in the Nanjing area
- Transparent and fair pricing
- NMPA-registered— Thermage® FLX Dual-certified in North America
- Devices & products— We use only NMPA-registered devices and injectables
- Multi-device combination treatment capability— Synergistic combination with picosecond laser / lifting devices / injectables and other multimodal approaches
- Mandarin-speaking clinic— consultations in Mandarin, with professional translation devices for real-time interpretation in English and other languages
What Is Thermage®?
Thermage® CPT™A non-invasive skin tightening treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate deep collagen regeneration.
The treatment helps smooth wrinkles, lift lax skin, and improve facial and body contours.
As one of the world’s most established anti-aging treatments, Thermage® is backed by mature technology and extensive clinical evidence.
Device Technical Specifications
- Device manufacturer: Solta Medical
- Wavelength / Frequency:6 MHz RF
- NMPA-registered:2002
- Mechanism of action: Deep tissue thermal stimulation + immediate contraction + long-term collagen regeneration
Thermage® How Does Thermage® Work?
Thermage®Controlled radiofrequency energy is delivered to the collagen layer of the skin, where thermal stimulation triggers natural collagen regeneration.
Over time, the skin becomes firmer, more elastic, and overall skin quality is visibly improved.
- Initial consultation and skin assessment
- Pre-Treatment Skin Preparation
- Precise delivery of radiofrequency energy
- Ongoing collagen regeneration and progressive skin tightening
Core mechanism of action
Thermage® FLX Via / through Deep tissue thermal stimulation + immediate contraction + long-term collagen regeneration— and achieve your treatment goals. Our physician customizes treatment parameters based on your individual risk profile for facial volume loss (rare) and skin characteristics, balancing efficacy with safety.
Thermage® FLX Quick Facts — Everything in One Table
If you read nothing else on this page, read this table. It is the complete factual snapshot of what Thermage is, how it behaves, and what to expect at Luowei Medical Aesthetics Clinic in Nanjing.
| Feature | Thermage® FLX at Luowei Medical Aesthetics Clinic |
|---|---|
| Category | Monopolar capacitive radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening |
| Manufacturer | Solta Medical (Bausch Health, United States) |
| Regulatory status | NMPA-registered · NMPA-registered for non-invasive skin tightening |
| Mechanism | Volumetric bulk RF heating contracts existing collagen immediately and triggers new collagen production over months |
| FLX upgrades | AccuREP™ auto-energy calibration · larger 4.0 tip (faster) · Comfort Pulse Technology (vibration) for less discomfort |
| Treatment areas | Face · jawline · eyes (Thermage Eye Tip) · neck · abdomen · arms · thighs · knees |
| Energy depth | Volumetric heating through dermis to ~the subcutaneous junction (broader, shallower spread than Ultherapy) |
| Sessions | 1 session typical · maintenance every 12–24 months |
| Appointment length | 45–90 minutes (depends on area and tip pulse count) |
| Pain level | 3–5 / 10 with Comfort Pulse — brief heat pulses, no numbing usually needed |
| Downtime | Zero — mild redness for a few hours; return to work same day |
| Onset | Subtle immediate tightening · full result builds 2–6 months |
| Duration of result | 12–24 months — typically longer-lasting than ultrasound lifting |
| Best for skin type | Safe for all Fitzpatrick skin types I–VI (RF energy is colour-blind — no PIH risk) |
| Cost | Stated in your written quotation after consultation — varies by area treated |
| Performed by | Our physician — or the trained medical team under our physician’s protocol |
Am I a Candidate for Thermage®?
The following individuals may benefit:
- Mild to moderate skin laxity
- Seeking a non-surgical alternative to a facelift
- Seeking improvement in skin texture and firmness
- Preference for procedures with minimal downtime
The following individuals may not be suitable candidates:
- Severe skin laxity requiring surgical intervention
- Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Active skin infection in the treatment area
- Individuals with implanted electronic devices
Fitzpatrick × our physician’s Protocol
Assessing risk of facial volume loss (rare) and energy protocol:
| Fitzpatrick | Skin tone | Risks | Protocol |
|---|---|---|---|
| II–III | Fair / light skin tone | Low | Standard energy level |
| III | Light Asian | Moderate | Medium energy |
| IV | Typical Asian | Moderate to high | Low energy + 6-week pre-treatment conditioning |
| V | Deep Asian / South Asian | High | Ultra-low energy + test spot |
What changes when the patient is a man
Thermage is not a different treatment for men. The assessment is what differs, and it differs enough to be worth saying out loud.
What is assessed differently
- Dermal thickness Male facial dermis is generally thicker than female dermis of comparable age, which affects how energy is planned. How much thicker varies by individual and is assessed, not assumed
- Beard zone Higher follicle density changes both how energy couples with tissue and how the treatment feels in that area
- Facial fat distribution Different pattern from female ageing, and directly relevant because radiofrequency heats fat as well as dermis
- Post-weight-loss laxity A common reason men present, and a pattern that needs its own assessment rather than a standard plan
What we do not claim
We do not publish a fixed percentage by which male skin is thicker, a fixed pulse count for men, or a claim that results last longer in men than in women. Those numbers appear widely in marketing and we are not able to support them for an individual patient.
Weekday morning appointments and a private consultation room are available on request, for any patient who prefers them.
Thermage FLX and Thermage CPT
Both generations are held at Luowei Medical Aesthetics Clinic. Which one is used is decided at assessment, not by model year — and the treatment is planned around your tissue rather than around the machine that is free that day.
| Generation | What distinguishes it | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Thermage® FLX | The current generation. Its impedance-feedback system reads the tissue and adjusts output pulse by pulse rather than delivering one preset level across the whole area. | The default for most full-face and neck plans |
| Thermage® CPT | The earlier generation. CPT stands for Comfort Pulse Technology — the tip delivers radiofrequency alongside vibration, which changes how the treatment is experienced. | Still in use where it suits the assessment |
We do not publish a figure for how much more comfortable one generation is than the other, or a fixed tissue temperature. Both vary by person, area and protocol, and a number printed on a web page is not a promise we can keep for an individual patient.
Thermage® Thermage® Treatment Planning Process
Our Thermage® treatment planning includes a thorough consultation and a personalized treatment plan designed to deliver optimal results.
- Initial consultation and skin assessment
- Developing a personalized treatment plan
- Single session or treatment scheduled as needed
- Post-treatment follow-up and maintenance recommendations
Typical Treatment Timeline
Thermage® FLX Typically 1 session constitutes a complete treatment, with maintenance every 12–18 months:
| Treatment timeline | Content |
|---|---|
| Week 0 | Free 30-Minute Consultation + Personalized Treatment Plan |
| After the 1st session | Initial response observation |
| Complete treatment | 1 Sessions × interval — maintenance every 12–18 months |
| Stable maintenance | Low-intensity maintenance every 3–6 months |
How Many Thermage Sessions Do You Need? How Often Should You Repeat?
Thermage is famously a single-session treatment — one of its biggest advantages. The protocol below reflects our physician’s standard for Asian skin in our Nanjing practice.
1 session — that’s it
Unlike most energy treatments, Thermage achieves its result in a single session. The full pulse count for the area (e.g. ~900 pulses for a full face) is delivered in one visit. There is no “course” of repeated sessions to complete.
Every 12–24 months
Thermage results last 1–2 years — typically longer than ultrasound lifting. A maintenance session every 12–24 months sustains the tightening. Many patients in our Nanjing clinic treat once per year as part of a broader skin program.
Face · Eye · Body tips
Different Thermage tips are used per area: the Face Tip, the smaller Eye Tip (NMPA-registered for eyelids), and the larger Body Tip for abdomen/arms/thighs. Our physician selects the correct tip and pulse count for your treatment zone.
AccuREP auto-calibration
The FLX generation reads your skin’s impedance and auto-adjusts energy delivery for each pulse (AccuREP). This makes the result more consistent and the experience more comfortable than older Thermage CPT generations.
Layer with Ultherapy + Botox + filler
Thermage tightens surface; Ultherapy lifts deep structure; Botox relaxes muscles; filler restores volume. Our physician sequences these so they reinforce rather than compete — Thermage and Ultherapy can be done in the same period on different layers.
Early laxity onward (late 30s+)
Best initiated at the first signs of skin laxity and crepiness — typically late 30s to 50s. Patients with advanced sagging may benefit from combined Thermage + Ultherapy, or a surgical consultation for the most severe cases.
How Long Does Thermage Take to Work? How Long Do Results Last?
Thermage works in two phases: an immediate partial tightening from collagen contraction, then a gradual build as new collagen forms. Here is the timeline most Nanjing patients experience.
- Day of treatment:a subtle immediate tightening is often visible — this is existing collagen fibres contracting from the heat. Mild redness fades within a few hours.
- Week 1–4:the immediate effect settles; the gradual collagen-building phase begins. No dramatic change yet — this is normal and expected.
- Month 2–3:new collagen formation becomes visible — firmer skin, tighter jawline, smoother texture. This is when most patients notice “Our skin looks tighter.”
- Month 4–6:peak of the result. Full collagen remodelling complete. This is the new baseline.
- Month 12–24:the result holds longer than ultrasound treatments — typically 1–2 years. As natural ageing continues, a maintenance session restores and extends the tightening.
Note:Thermage results are most dramatic in patients with mild-to-moderate laxity and good skin quality. Results are real but more subtle in advanced laxity, where our physician will discuss combined modalities or surgical options honestly at your evaluation.
What Does a Thermage Appointment Feel Like? (Pain · Time · Recovery)
Three honest answers patients ask before booking Thermage in Nanjing: does it hurt, how long does it take, what do we look like after.
- Appointment length:45–90 minutes depending on the area and pulse count — a full face is around 60–75 minutes.
- Pain level:3–5 out of 10. Each pulse delivers a brief deep heat followed by a cooling sensation, with a vibration (Comfort Pulse Technology) that distracts the nerves. Most patients tolerate Thermage without numbing — the heat is a “deep warmth” rather than a sharp pain.
- How it works in the room:the treatment tip is pressed against gridded sections of skin; each pulse heats then cools. The cooling spray protects the surface while RF heats the deeper layer.
- Immediately after:mild redness and occasionally slight swelling for a few hours. No marks, no scabs, no pinpoint bleeding (unlike microneedling RF).
- Downtime:zero. Apply makeup immediately, return to work the same day. No restrictions on exercise or normal activity.
- Single visit:because Thermage is one-and-done, you walk out having completed the full treatment — no scheduling a series of follow-ups.
Thermage Aftercare — Simple Do’s and Don’ts
Thermage has one of the simplest aftercare profiles of any tightening treatment — there’s no wound to protect. The focus is supporting collagen rebuild over the following months.
First 24 hours
- Mild redness or warmth is normal — a cool compress helps if needed.
- You can apply makeup and resume skincare immediately. No actives restriction for face Thermage unless skin feels sensitive.
- Avoid very hot showers, sauna, and intense exercise for the day to minimise transient redness.
Days 2 onward
- Resume all normal activity, exercise, and skincare.
- Daily SPF 50+ — protecting skin during the collagen-rebuild months helps the result.
- Stay hydrated and maintain a consistent skincare routine; collagen support ingredients (retinoids, peptides, vitamin C) complement the rebuild.
Protecting the result long-term
- Take “before” photos and milestone photos at month 3 and month 6 — Thermage results are gradual and easy to underestimate without comparison.
- Maintain stable weight — significant weight change after Thermage affects how the tightening expresses.
- Plan a maintenance session at 12–24 months to sustain and build on the result.
Thermage® FLXIndications
Core Indications × Treatment Plan × Session Frequency — Detailed Table
| Indications | Plan | Sessions / Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Facial laxity | Personalized treatment plan | 1 session / maintenance every 12–18 months |
| Blurred jawline | Personalized treatment plan | 1 session / maintenance every 12–18 months |
| Neck laxity | Personalized treatment plan | 1 session / maintenance every 12–18 months |
| Mild to moderate sagging | Personalized treatment plan | 1 session / maintenance every 12–18 months |
7 Areas Thermage® FLX Tightens and Smooths
Thermage uses radiofrequency — which, unlike light or ultrasound, is “colour-blind” and completely safe for darker Asian skin (Fitzpatrick III–VI) with no pigmentation risk. These are the seven areas our physician treats most often across our Nanjing patient base.
- ✓ Lower face and jawline laxity— the most common Thermage request. RF heating tightens loose skin and softens early jowls, sharpening the jaw contour without surgery.
- ✓ Eyes (Thermage Eye Tip)— one of the only RF devices NMPA-registered for the delicate eyelid and under-eye area. Tightens hooded upper lids and crepey under-eye skin where laser and surgery are higher-risk.
- ✓ Forehead and brow— subtle brow lift effect from tightening the forehead skin envelope. Pairs well with Botox for the muscle component.
- ✓ Neck and submental laxity— tightens “turkey neck” softening and crepey neck skin. RF reaches the broad area efficiently.
- ✓ Abdomen (post-pregnancy / post-weight-loss)— the body Thermage tip tightens loose abdominal skin after pregnancy or GLP-1 / semaglutide weight loss, where surface laxity is the concern.
- ✓ Arms, thighs, and knees— crepey skin on the upper arms (“bat wings”), inner thighs, and above the knees responds to body RF tightening over 2–6 months.
- ✓ Cellulite and skin texture (body)— RF improves the dimpled appearance and overall skin quality on the buttocks and thighs as a complementary effect.
What Thermage is NOT for:deep structural sagging that needs a surgical lift, significant volume loss (use fillers), or dynamic wrinkles from muscle movement (use Botox). For the deepest SMAS-level lift, our physician may recommend Ultherapy instead of, or combined with, Thermage.
Thermage® Thermage® Pre-, Intra-, and Post-Procedure Guidelines
Pre-care
- Avoid sun exposure and tanning
- Discontinue retinoid products 3 days before treatment
- Keep skin well hydrated
During
- Comfort Pulse Technology (CPT) effectively minimizes discomfort
- The treating provider monitors skin response throughout the entire procedure
Post-care
- Apply the recommended sheet mask twice daily for 3 consecutive days post-treatment
- Consistent use of broad-spectrum sunscreen
- 24Avoid heat exposure or vigorous exercise within hours of treatment
D0–D30 Complete recovery timeline
| Time | Do’s · Don’ts |
|---|---|
| D0 | Same-day recovery · No makeup · Avoid washing face with hot water |
| D1–D3 | SPF 50+ Mandatory · Avoid exfoliation · Focus on hydration and barrier repair |
| D4–D7 | Resume gentle cleansing · Continue SPF · Avoid heat exposure |
| D8–D14 | Skincare products may be gradually reintroduced |
| D15–D30 | Consolidation period · Assessment for next treatment |
Thermage®Advantages of Thermage®
- Non-invasive skin tightening and lifting
- Stimulates the body’s own collagen regeneration
- Improving skin texture and elasticity
- Minimal downtime with mild discomfort
- Applicable to multiple areas of the face and body
- Extensively validated in global clinical practice
- Visible results from a single session
- Long-lasting results
Thermage® FLX Key advantages
| Dimension | Thermage® FLX |
|---|---|
| Mechanism of action | Deep tissue thermal stimulation + immediate contraction + long-term collagen regeneration |
| Recovery period | Same-day recovery |
| Risk of facial hollowing (rare) | Low (per our physician’s protocol) |
| Fitzpatrick Applicable | We–VI |
Thermage vs Ultherapy vs Sofwave vs Morpheus8 — Which Skin Tightening Should You Choose in Nanjing?
“Skin tightening” covers several different energy technologies. The right one depends on your skin type, what you’re treating, and how much downtime you’ll accept. This table maps your goal to the right modality.
| Feature | Thermage® FLX | Ultherapy® | Sofwave® | Morpheus8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy type | Monopolar RF (capacitive) | Micro-focused ultrasound | Synchronous ultrasound | RF microneedling (fractional) |
| Invasiveness | Non-invasive (surface) | Non-invasive | Non-invasive | Minimally invasive (needles) |
| Depth / target | Volumetric dermal heating | Deep SMAS (4.5 mm) | Mid-dermis (1.5 mm) | Up to 4 mm via needles |
| Safe for dark skin (FP IV–VI) | Yes — colour-blind ✓ | Yes ✓ | Yes ✓ | Yes (RF-based) ✓ |
| Sessions | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 typical |
| Pain level | 3–5 / 10 | 4–7 / 10 | 2–4 / 10 | 3–5 / 10 (numbed) |
| Downtime | None | None | None | 2–4 days redness/pinpoints |
| Best for | Surface tightening, large areas, body, eyes | Deep lift, jawline, brow | Gentle mid-dermal tightening | Texture + tightening + scars |
| Result duration | 12–24 months | 12–18 months | 12 months | 12–18 months |
| Full-face price | Consultation pricing | Consultation pricing | Consultation pricing | Consultation pricing |
Quick rule of thumb:If your concern is surface laxity and crepey skin over a large area(or the body, or the delicate eye area), Thermage’s RF is the gold standard — and it lasts the longest. If you need a deep structural lift of the jawline or brow, Ultherapy reaches deeper. If you want texture improvement plus tightening, Morpheus8’s RF microneedling adds a resurfacing dimension. Many thoughtful plans combine two — Our physician commonly pairs Thermage (surface tightening) with Ultherapy (deep lift) for a complete result. At Luowei Medical Aesthetics Clinic Nanjing we carry Thermage, Ultherapy, and Sofwave on-site, so our physician chooses the right tool for your specific skin — not the one the clinic happens to own.
Why Trust Thermage® FLX at Luowei Medical Aesthetics Clinic?
Google E-E-A-T This framework evaluates medical content across four dimensions. Below are the specific credentials behind every claim on this page.
Real-world clinical experience
- Thermage® FLX Specialist proficiency
- specializing in Asian skin care and facial contour
Physician qualifications
- Ongoing manufacturer training
- Multimodal treatment capability
Industry Standing & Certifications
Clinic transparency and reputation
- Written informed consent
- NMPA dual certification
- Transparent pricing and risk disclosure
WHY THIS MATTERS
Thermage® FLX Not a “one-size-fits-all” device
Thermage® FLX Results are achieved through deep tissue thermal stimulation + immediate tissue contraction + long-term collagen regeneration — requiring physician-guided, personalized calibration based on your skin type, degree of concern, and treatment history.
Thermage® FLX Pricing & Payment
Pricing varies by area, dosage, number of sessions in a package, and whether combination therapy is included.Personalized pricing provided by our physician following your free 30-minute consultation.
Single Session Thermage® FLX · First-Time Trial / Single Maintenance
Package discounts available · Combination plans priced by treatment
Accepted payment methods
- Payment is made at the clinic, after the consultation and before treatment begins
- Nothing is paid in advance, and no deposit is required to hold an appointment
- Cosmetic treatment is a self-pay item and is not covered by public medical insurance in China
- All new clients receive a 30-minute Free Consultation & Assessment
Common Risks · Contraindications · Safety Protocol
Transparency in aesthetic medicine is itself a signal of expertise and trust. We openly disclose all possible reactions, serious risks, contraindications, and absolute exclusions.
Common Reactions (Short-Term)
- Localized swelling, redness, and warmth
- Skin sensitivity (SPF 50+ for 2–4 weeks)
- Temporary changes in appearance
Serious Risks (Rare)
- Facial volume loss (rare)— Significantly reduced through our physician’s protocol
- Infection (rare)
- Scarring (extremely rare)
Absolute contraindications
- Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- Active infection
- Oral Accutane use within the past 6 months
- Keloid-prone skin
- Photosensitizing medications not discontinued
Our physician’s mandatory safety protocol
- Complete skin assessment and medical history review prior to treatment
- Sign a written informed consent form
- Test spot mandatory for high-risk patients
- Performed personally by our physician.
Where the medical claims on this page come from
Everything above about Thermage® FLX rests on published evidence rather than on our own word. The sources below are the ones behind those statements: peer-reviewed papers indexed in PubMed, and guidance written for patients by dermatology academies and national health services. Read them before you decide — and bring any of them to your consultation.
- Peer-reviewedRadiofrequency Microneedling: A Comprehensive and Critical Review
- Peer-reviewedRadiofrequency and Radiofrequency Microneedling in Skin of Color: A Review of Usage, Safety, and Efficacy
- Peer-reviewedA Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Microfocused Ultrasound for Facial Skin Tightening
- Peer-reviewedCommon Dermatologic Procedures and the Associated Complications Unique to Skin of Color
- Patient guidanceAAD statement on FDA warning about RF microneedling risks
What these references can and cannot tell you. They describe what is known about the treatment itself — how well it tends to work, how long results last, and what can go wrong. They are not an assessment of this clinic, and no published study can tell you whether it suits your skin type, anatomy, or medical history. That judgement comes from the physician who examines you in person, and it may well be “not this one”.