Thermage Cost

• Thermage, a patented procedure that has been described as a non-surgical facelift, usually costs between $1,000 and $5,000 per treatment, with an average of $2,000, according to A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Resource. Often, only one treatment is required, but some patients will need more. Since Thermage is still fairly new - it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002 - it is difficult to know how long results typically will last, but predictions range from two to 10 years. Costs vary depending on the areas treated - generally, getting one or two parts of the face treated is less expensive than the full-face treatment.

• During a Thermage procedure, which usually lasts a few hours, the surgeon uses a hand-held device that emits radiofrequency energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin, while using a fine mist of water to cool, and prevent damage to, the outer layers of skin. The heat causes the collagen in the skin to firm and plump, giving the face a younger appearance.
• Derma Network^[1] gives a description of the Thermage procedure. After the procedure, some improvements will be immediately visible, but skin should continue to get tighter and firmer for about six months afterward. The procedure is usually done in the surgeon's office, sometimes using local anesthesia or anesthetic cream if any is used at all.

• Patients may require additional treatments to maintain results. A small number of patients experience complications such as scarring or dimpling of the skin, and a tiny percentage have loss of facial fat, which some choose to correct with cosmetic injections that can cost $500 to $1,000 per shot.

• Some surgeons offer online coupons for a few hundred dollars off a Thermage procedure for first-time patients, or will run limited-time special offers. Sometimes, packages that combine Thermage with other procedures - for example, Botox or filler injections - are less expensive than if you were to get the procedures individually. And, finally, a package of two Thermage treatments usually is cheaper than purchasing treatments individually.

• Tip: When considering Thermage, keep your expectations realistic. Although it has been compared to a surgical facelift, which can cost two to three times the price, the effects of Thermage are subtler, and patients with very loose skin might see almost no improvement. If a dramatic effect is desired, surgery might be necessary. Thermage.com provides before and after photographs of patients.
• Tip: Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience performing Thermage. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons^[2] provides a free referral service. Be aware that, because Thermage is so new, its long-term effects have not been studied. In the short term, it generally has few side effects, but in a small number of patients, it has caused redness, blisters or dimpling of the skin.

1.  www.dermanetwork.org/information/thermage.asp
2.  www1.plasticsurgery.org/find_a_surgeon/

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Does an Albuterol Inhaler Cost?		How Much Does an MRI Cost?		How Much Does Radiation Therapy Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

Parks are opening and offering reservations. We cover camping gear. A BBQ grill could be handy to enjoy backyard activities during the summer months. Spring has sprung. Are you thinking about allergy shots? April is craft month. We have the cost of scrapbooking and other crafts. In case signing up was a resolution, we cover the cost of diet plans.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

2 Stents RCA w/ CathLab Paid: 12000.00 ER with Heart Attack symptoms. Next AM had cath lab. 100% blockage. 2 stents. Was released 8 hours later. Less than 48 hours in hospital. Thought is was expensive, but after seeing what other have paid I guess not... [more] - Heart Stent Cost Happy with ATT gigabit fiber Paid: 69.99 I used to use Comcast but got frustrated with the unreliability of their speed — by day it could slow down but it’d be very fast late at night... [more] -Now1000 Internet Access Cost Used AAA Paid: 163.42 I was going to try to replace the battery myself but the old battery had corroded so much that I wasn’t able to remove the terminals with my pretty crummy tools at home... [more] -Honda21 Car Battery Cost 8 year old Gernan Shepherd Neuter Paid: 200.00 good job,,a little more than expected but it is what it it,,He's my baby!... [more] -snail Dog Spay or Neuter Cost husband and I had eye exams and got each got glasses Paid: 1488.59 That was $679.47 for the two of us initially, which also included comprehensive exams. We got VSP individual insurance which premiums for the two of us for this 12 month period will equal $610.56... [more] -D & T Eye Exam Cost Sears Air Duct & Dryer Vent Cleaning - Rip Off Paid: 1500.00 I've lived in my house for over 10 years and decided to have the air ducts and dryer vent cleaned... [more] -Ripped Off Customer Duct Cleaning Cost