Thermage cycle: how many months apart should you get it again?
The Thermage cycle is set at about once a year. Changes from Thermage FLX appear over 2 to 4 months and are generally known to last about 1 to 2 years, so there is little reason to get it again before the changes have fully appeared. The actual cycle is adjusted based on age, skin thickness, and when sagging starts to reappear.
Why the Thermage cycle is set at around one year
Thermage is a procedure that heats and contracts collagen in the dermis with radiofrequency and then encourages new collagen to form over the following months. The tightness felt right after is a reaction of existing collagen temporarily contracting, and the actual changes build up over 2 to 4 months after treatment.
If heat is delivered to the same area again before this regeneration process is complete, it becomes hard to judge the changes and may only add strain on the skin. That is why, after one treatment, we watch the period during which the changes settle and last before deciding when to get it again.
How does the Thermage cycle differ from person to person?
At our Suwon clinic, we advise considering Thermage FLX maintenance treatment about once a year. However, even within the same year, if your skin is thin and loses firmness quickly, sagging may reappear early, and if your skin is thick and sagging is mild, the interval can be wider.
Lifestyle habits also affect the cycle. Frequent sun exposure, smoking, or significant weight loss in a short period can speed up collagen loss. Conversely, consistent sun protection and moisturizing may help the changes last.
Can I get other lifting treatments between Thermage cycles?
Thermage acts on the dermis and the fibrous layer beneath it, so ultrasound lifting that reaches the fascia layer or treatments that target the fat layer work on different layers. That is why treatments targeting other layers are sometimes planned between Thermage cycles. Whether to get them on the same day or a few weeks apart is decided based on skin condition and schedule.
Receiving heat repeatedly at short intervals can make redness and swelling last longer, or make cheeks with a thin fat layer look sunken. If redness or swelling persists for a long time, please contact the clinic.
View Thermage FLX procedure information
FAQ
Q. Can I get Thermage every 6 months?
A. Changes appear over 2 to 4 months and then last for a period afterward, so there is little reason to repeat it every 6 months. If sagging reappears quickly, we first check whether the cause is the dermis, the fascia layer, or fat, and then decide on the appropriate treatment during consultation.
Q. What if I missed my Thermage cycle and two years have passed?
A. Missing the cycle does not mean you go back to your original state; we simply reassess your skin thickness and degree of sagging at that time and decide on the shot count and areas. If you have photos taken before the previous treatment, they help compare the changes over that time.
Q. Does the Thermage cycle change with age?
A. As you age, collagen decreases faster, so sagging may reappear sooner. However, even at the same age, differences in skin thickness and lifestyle habits are large, so the cycle is decided by your skin condition at the time rather than by age.
This content is provided as general treatment information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a medical professional to decide whether and how to proceed with a treatment.