Is the Number of Shots Really Important for Thermage Results on the Skin?

Hello.

I am Taeo Park, the head doctor at Relive Clinic.

Skin aging does not appear suddenly.

The wrinkles on my face seem to appear without making a sound, and before I know it, they are just there..

When makeup no longer adheres as well as it used to,

when the skin texture starts to look rough and the facial contours begin to look blurred, this change is closer to a sign that the skin’s elasticity structure is starting to loosen before sagging fully progresses.

Thermage FLX procedure photo

Thermage FLX is a representative radiofrequency lifting procedure that can be considered at this stage of aging.

Using radiofrequency (RF) energy, it delivers heat to the dermis layer of the skin, causing stretched collagen fibers to contract while also inducing new collagen production over the following months.

In other words, it is not a procedure that physically lifts tissue, but rather a lifting treatment that aims to strengthen the skin structure again.

That is why Thermage is better understood as a procedure suited not so much for correcting faces that have already sagged significantly, but for organizing and maintaining skin elasticity at the stage just before sagging becomes pronounced.

The result of Thermage FLX is about 'thermal stability'

The key to a Thermage procedure is not how strongly the energy is delivered, but how evenly and stably the heat is maintained inside the skin.

The collagen regeneration response begins when the temperature inside the skin reaches a certain level, but if the heat is excessive, there is a risk of pain or burns, and conversely, if the energy is uneven, the expected effect may not appear sufficiently.

Thermage FLX is designed with an improved cooling system to protect the epidermis while delivering enough heat to the dermis.

The skin layer strengthened as Thermage radiofrequency is delivered

This is also why many people feel that the discomfort is less than with earlier radiofrequency lifting treatments.

However, because it is a high-output device, it requires the experience of a medical professional who can adjust the energy according to skin thickness, sensitivity by area, and facial structure.

I would say Thermage is a procedure where the practitioner’s judgment and rhythm influence the outcome more than the device itself.

One-on-one consultation with the calm and precise clinic director

Facial design matters more than shot count

The numbers 600 shots or 900 shots for Thermage simply refer to the number of times radiofrequency is delivered, and are not a standard that guarantees results.

Even with the same number of shots, the results can differ significantly depending on where the energy is distributed, how deep it is delivered, and at what intervals.

A face where cheek firmness has weakened first and a face centered on fine wrinkles around the eyes cannot be approached in the same way.

A skilled Thermage procedure does not divide the face into parts, but views the entire structure as one and continues the passes in a consistent energy rhythm so that the skin does not cool down.

When this careful design comes together well, Thermage creates a subtle change that refines skin texture and contours without being obvious.

Photo certifying the use of Relive’s genuine disposable tip

Is Thermage better as a standalone procedure?

Thermage, which is strong in improving dermal elasticity, tends to be more satisfying when the skin is not overly thick, the amount of fat is not excessive, and aging and sagging are not severe.

On the other hand, if sagging under the chin is clearly visible or the deeper layers of the skin have already started to loosen, there may be limits to Thermage alone.

In such cases, rather than a simple choice of "Should I get Thermage?" or "Should I get Ultherapy?", a more reasonable approach may be to combine it with lifting procedures such as Ultherapy, Onda, or Liftera, which act on the SMAS layer, and treat the deep and superficial layers separately.

What you need now is not a decision, but a check

Thermage FLX is a procedure whose results vary greatly depending on the skin condition at the time of treatment, rather than simply when you receive it.

At Relive, we do not think the purpose of a consultation is only to decide on a procedure.

It is to check whether my current skin condition is the right stage for Thermage, whether eye Thermage is needed, or whether a different type of procedure is necessary.

When this judgment is made accurately, Thermage becomes a lifting treatment that is not excessive and still lasts a long time.

Thank you. This was Director Taeo Park.