Thermage Side Effects: What's Normal?

Thermage Side Effects: What's Considered a Normal Reaction?

💡 Check This First Before Reading


Q. The day after my Thermage procedure, my face is red and I feel heat sensation. Is this a side effect?

A. Most likely, this is a normal reaction. However, if it persists for more than 3 days or if specific areas show discoloration, you should immediately contact your medical provider.


Q. What causes these side effects?

A. This occurs because radiofrequency energy is delivered deep into the skin, creating thermal stimulation to the skin tissue. The key is how uniformly this energy is distributed.

"Temporary erythema and heat sensation are normal reactions, but persistent pain or skin discoloration requires immediate medical attention."

— Dr. Wi Young-jin (Beautystone Clinic, Hongdae)

What is Thermage?

Thermage FLX uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to

deliver heat to the dermis and subcutaneous tissue,

stimulating collagen regeneration and skin tightening.

Unlike Ultherapy, which directly targets the SMAS layer with ultrasound (HIFU),

Thermage uses RF thermal energy to uniformly heat the entire dermis,

achieving both skin elasticity and lifting effects simultaneously.

Why Is Erythema Okay But Discoloration Different? — Understanding Side Effect Mechanisms

After a Thermage procedure, when your face becomes red and you feel heat,

many people worry, "Did something go wrong?"

But here's what's important:

The redness itself isn't the problem—

it's when and how these reactions appear that matters.

Radiofrequency energy targets the dermis, not the skin surface.

The cooling tip protects the epidermis while

delivering heat of around 65-70°C to the deeper layers.

This thermal stimulation contracts collagen fibers,

and over the next 3-6 months, new collagen is generated, creating the lifting effect.

To be honest,

temporary erythema and heat sensation are unavoidable during this process.

In fact, if you experience no reaction at all,

it might be worth questioning whether the energy was properly delivered.

The problem arises when abnormal patterns appear instead of normal reactions.

If skin discoloration occurs, particularly brown or white patches,

this could signal that thermal energy was unevenly distributed.

When energy concentrates excessively in specific areas,

melanocytes or dermal tissue itself can be damaged.

What's tricky is that this often isn't visible immediately after the procedure—

it may gradually appear days later,

which is why many people tend to dismiss it.

Persistent pain follows the same pattern.

Discomfort on the day of treatment is normal.

However, if specific areas continue throbbing after 3 days

or if you experience sharp pain when pressed,

this suggests possible nerve or tissue irritation.

In such cases, never think "let's wait a bit longer."

How to Distinguish Thermage Side Effects by Type?

While each case varies, I typically categorize them this way.

I divide them into three main categories:

But it's not always this straightforward.

Even with the same swelling, if it feels firm when pressed

or appears as clearly defined patches,

immediate consultation is warranted rather than just monitoring.

Since text descriptions have limitations,

taking photos and sharing them with your treatment clinic first is the fastest approach.

Many people misunderstand this point:

experiencing side effects doesn't necessarily mean the procedure was performed incorrectly.

Skin condition, energy level settings, your condition on the day of treatment,

even menstrual cycles or medications can influence reactions.

What's crucial is quickly identifying abnormal signs

and responding at the appropriate timing.

There's something I must emphasize:

with Thermage, energy settings and practitioner experience

have far greater impact on side effect rates than the device itself.

Even using the same FLX equipment,

how you adjust energy levels

and how you customize application to the patient's skin condition

makes all the difference in results and risks.

We've often seen patients who were unsatisfied elsewhere

achieve satisfaction after just 2-3 sessions with our adjusted energy settings,

while others have come to us with discoloration cases

after excessive energy application elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. After Thermage, my face feels slightly uneven. Is this also a side effect?

A. The subtle textural irregularity that appears 1-3 days post-procedure

is due to thermal reactions in the dermis and temporary tissue changes.

Most cases naturally even out within a week.

However, if it persists beyond 2 weeks or if specific areas remain lumpy,

there's a possibility of uneven fat tissue response,

so it's best to have your treatment clinic check it.

Q2. How many Thermage sessions are needed, and how long do effects last?

A. Usually, one session is performed,

with effects peaking 3-6 months post-procedure.

Most patients maintain results for 1-2 years afterward,

though there's considerable variation based on age, skin condition, and lifestyle.

Most commonly, patients schedule annual maintenance sessions,

and while costs vary by clinic,

full-face treatment typically requires a significant investment.

Q3. Are there precautions I should know before Thermage?

A. Yes, several things.

First, discontinue irritating products containing retinol, AHA, etc. 2 weeks before treatment,

and if your skin is very sensitive or inflamed, postpone the procedure.

Contraindications include pregnancy, metal implants in the body,

or pacemaker use.

After treatment, avoid saunas and intense exercise immediately,

and be especially diligent about sun protection.

Since your skin barrier is temporarily sensitized,

the risk of UV-induced pigmentation is higher than usual.

This was Dr. Wi Young-jin.