Thermage FAQ
Written by Delight Dermatology editorial team · Medically reviewed by Lead Dermatologist, Delight Dermatology Clinic (Korean Board-Certified Dermatologist, AAD International Fellow, ASLMS) · Last reviewed
Thermage FLX results last 1–2 years, peak at 3–4 months, and cost KRW 800,000–1,800,000 for a face session in Seoul. A full-face treatment takes about 90 minutes with no downtime. Pacemakers, ICDs, metal implants in the field, pregnancy, active infection, and recent fillers or threads are contraindications. Below are the questions Delight Dermatology answers most often.
The questions below are the ones the clinic answers most often about Thermage in Seoul. They are written for patients deciding whether Thermage is the right device for them, what to budget, and what a session actually involves. Each answer is also marked up as FAQPage schema so search engines can surface it directly.
How long does Thermage last?
Most patients see the most pronounced result between three and six months after the session as new collagen forms in the dermis, and the result typically holds for one to two years. Thermage is not a permanent treatment; the timing of a maintenance session depends on the original laxity profile and on lifestyle factors such as sun exposure.
Is Thermage painful?
On the FLX generation, far less than it used to be. The vibrating handpiece introduced with FLX uses competing sensory input to reduce the perceived pain of each pulse, and oral analgesia is no longer routinely needed. Most patients describe each pulse as a brief warm sensation rather than a sharp pain. Higher-energy settings used in body Thermage are more intense than face settings.
How is Thermage FLX different from older Thermage versions?
Two practical differences. AccuREP measures tissue impedance on each pulse and adjusts the delivered energy to keep dermal heating in the intended range — this removes a meaningful source of variability between operators. The vibration handpiece reduces discomfort. Earlier Thermage CPT relied on operator judgement for energy levels and used a non-vibrating handpiece.
Can I do Thermage and Ultherapy together?
Yes, when the laxity profile calls for it. Thermage targets the dermis and Ultherapy targets the SMAS layer; they treat different depths and do not interfere with each other. A common combined pattern is Ultherapy for mid-face and jawline lifting with Thermage adding dermal-level firmness across cheeks and upper neck. Whether combining is appropriate is a clinical decision rather than a default upsell.
What about Eye Thermage?
Eye Thermage refers to using the Thermage Eye Tip in the periorbital area — the smaller, contoured tip designed for upper and lower eyelid skin and the area around the orbital rim. It targets the same dermal layer as face Thermage but with a tip and protocol calibrated to the delicate skin around the eye. It is the only Thermage indication that traces back to the original 2002 FDA clearance for periorbital wrinkles.
Which body areas can Thermage treat?
The abdomen, inner arms, knees, inner thighs and similar broad areas where the laxity is dermal rather than at a deeper layer. Body Thermage uses a larger tip and a higher total pulse count than face Thermage. It does not produce surgical body-contouring results, but it produces a measurable improvement in firmness when the underlying laxity is mild to moderate.
How long is the actual session?
A full face takes around ninety minutes from check-in to leaving the clinic. Eye Tip sessions are shorter — usually thirty to forty-five minutes. Body sessions run longer because the pulse count is higher; an abdominal body Thermage often runs two hours or more.
Are there contraindications I should know about?
Thermage is not used in patients with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator because monopolar radiofrequency can interfere with implanted cardiac devices. Permanent metal implants in the treatment area are a contraindication for that specific area. Pregnancy, active infection in the treatment field, and recent fillers or threads in the area (waiting-period dependent) are also exclusions. The candidates page covers this in detail.
What is the international patient workflow?
Most international patients start with a photograph review over WhatsApp, Line or KakaoTalk — a clear front and side photo without make-up, plus a brief note on any prior treatments. The clinic responds with a candid view on whether Thermage is the right device, an estimated tip type and pulse count, and an indicative price range. The in-person consultation on the treatment day confirms the plan, and the session is the same day.
How much should I budget?
In the Seoul market, authentic Thermage FLX sessions fall in broad ranges rather than at a single figure. Face Thermage is roughly KRW 800,000 to 1,800,000 (approximately USD 600 to 1,350). Face plus neck is roughly KRW 1,500,000 to 2,500,000. Eye Tip on its own is roughly KRW 400,000 to 900,000, though it is most often booked as an add-on to a face session. Body Thermage is roughly KRW 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 per area depending on the surface treated. Where a session lands in the range is driven by the pulse count, tip type and treated area. The pricing page explains the variables in detail.
What does recovery look like?
Mild pinkness and warmth in the treated area for a few hours to one day. Most patients return to normal activity the same day. Make-up can be applied the same day if needed. Rare side effects include small bruising (usually self-limited) and, very rarely, blistering. Sun protection during the three to six months of collagen response is the single most important aftercare habit.
How do I book?
Send a message to the parent clinic through WhatsApp, Line or KakaoTalk with a clear face photo for an initial review, or visit the parent clinic booking page directly.
Ready to book? Book directly through Delight Dermatology Clinic, or send a photo through WhatsApp for an initial review before travel.