ThermiTight is so powerful because it delivers its energy directly where it’s needed – to the innermost structures of the skin. This is done with a thin treatment wand, inserted though a tiny opening in the skin so small it only requires a Band-Aid after treatment. The wand is passed back and forth under the skin in a fanning pattern, delivering radiofrequency energy that creates a precise amount of heating.
This heating promotes the formation of collagen (the building block of youthful skin) directly in the layer of skin where sagging issues form. ThermiTight allows us to deliver the right amount of energy to the right spot in the skin, resulting in better, more predictable results from the inside out.
ThermiTight For Body Quick Facts
- No general anesthesia
- 1 to 2 days of downtime (shortened recovery)
- Natural results from the formation of new collagen
Because ThermiTight’s energy isn’t being delivered through the sensitive outer layers of the skin, the amount of restorative energy can be increased to optimal therapeutic levels without having to worry about damaging the skin’s tender surface or passing through nerve cells and causing discomfort. Other well-known devices that deliver their energy through the skin are limited by this – ThermiTight is not.
And, because ThermiTight doesn’t require the general anesthesia or the long downtime you’d have with surgery, it’s a great option for those who aren’t ready or willing to take on the risks and inconveniences that come with a visit to the surgeon.
ThermiTight sits in the sweet spot between traditional energy-based devices and cosmetic surgery, offering meaningful cosmetic results in a minimally invasive procedure.
What Areas & Concerns Does ThermiTight Work Best for?
Every technology gets marketed by the manufacturer for every possible application, but the truth comes out in practice – each technology is only great at a few things, for a select set of patients. That’s why we have so many different technologies. Here are the ones that ThermiTight is a top tier choice for:
Sagging Jowls
Before ThermiTight, there wasn’t a non-surgical solution for sagging jowls that produced reliable results for many different types of patients. While many people respond well to non-invasive treatments like Ulthera or Thermage, others need a more profound solution to tighten the sagging skin along their jawline, but they still don’t want the risk or downtime associated with surgery. ThermiTight provides excellent non-surgical results with minimal downtime.
Drooping Skin on the Neck
Many women have loose, crepey skin that droops on the neck, creating unflattering lines and contours. ThermiTight can be used to tighten loose skin on the neck and under the chin, which in turn diminishes the appearance of lines and wrinkles and creates a more pleasing profile. Imagine no more hiding your neck with scarves or high collars after a single ThermiTight treatment!
Double Chin
Developing excess fat along the jawline and under the chin is a common thing as we age, and for some people, no amount of diet or exercise seems to help. Thankfully, this area can be expertly resculpted in a single ThermiTight and liposuction combination treatment, removing excess fat, and tightening and lifting the skin to give your lower face a more defined and trim appearance.
Loose Belly Skin
Loose skin on the abdomen is frequently mistaken for excess fat. But if no amount of gym time or strict dieting is helping, you may be struggling with skin, not fat. Childbirth and weight loss are the most common sources of damage to the belly skin. Many patients work so hard to get their body back after having children or to finally lose that extra weight, only to be saddled with a bit of loose, crepey skin on the lower belly. While some people really need a tummy tuck to get their desired results, others can benefit from a non-surgical solution like ThermiTight. And unlike lotions or over-the-skin technologies, ThermiTight delivers its energy precisely where it’s needed to restore the skin’s natural elasticity and tighten sagging skin on the belly.
Drooping Bat-Wing Arms
Loose skin in the upper arm can develop from age-related changes or weight fluctuations. Some women avoid tank tops all summer long because they don’t like the way the loose skin on the back of their arms droops and sways. While surgery is an option for some, many wish to avoid the anesthesia, the bruising, and the downtime associated with surgery – no mention the noticeable scars left by arm lift surgeries. ThermiTight can help to tighten loose skin on the back of the arms in a single minimally-invasive treatment, improving their appearance and opening up a whole host of summer wardrobe options, all without the need for skin tightening surgery.
Wrinkled Knee Skin
The excess skin above the knee bothers many women as they advance in age. ThermiTight offers a unique solution for sagging knee skin, allowing us to lift and tighten the area, minimizing the appearance of those folds and wrinkles that make you say “no” to skirts.
What Is ThermiTight Treatment Like?
ThermiTight Treatment For Skin Tightening
Our ThermiTight procedures are performed in our private ensuite procedure rooms or surgical suite, depending upon the areas being treated. Both types of treatment rooms feature cozy patient beds and the ability to listen to music or watch TV (your choice) throughout the procedure.
Your ThermiTight treatment will start with localized numbing, very similar to the Novocaine injections used by dentists to fill cavities. You can read more about the numbing process in the anesthesia section below.
Once numb, the doctor will use a very small probe to deliver radiofrequency energy beneath the skin. A specialized heat-mapping camera is built into the ThermiRF platform, in addition to a thermo-regulating tip. Both of these ensure a safe and effective treatment. The tip of the probe measures the temperature of the surrounding tissue several times a second and adjusts the radio-frequency levels to provide optimal heating. The heat-mapping camera allows the physician to monitor skin surface temperatures. The entire process relies on generating just the right amounts of heat in certain layers of the skin and fatty tissues. A warmer temperature melts fat, a slightly cooler temperature helps remodel collagen, and each of these optimal temperature settings can vary amongst the treatment areas.
The actual procedure can last from 30 minutes up to 2-3 hours, depending upon the size of the area(s) treated. ThermiTight body procedures typically take 1-2 hours to complete. Afterward, you will be wrapped in a healing compression garment and ready to head home. You can read more about the compression garment and aftercare process in the recovery section below.
- Recovery & Downtime: 2-3 weeks total (1-3 days downtime)
- Numbing: Local anesthesia
- Cost: Discuss at your free consultation.
- Candidacy: Patients with loose, sagging skin.
- Duration: 2-5 years
- Why We Love It: Long-lasting results with minimal recovery
See All of Our ThermiTight Before & Afters in the Gallery!
More Before & AftersWhy Choose Reflections for
ThermiTight for Body
ThermiTight is performed by specially trained cosmetic physicians at Reflections. The New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners has some strict rules about who can perform radiofrequency treatments like ThermiTight and we have to agree that they are right in their limitations. Only a physician should perform this procedure. ThermiTight is a very safe procedure when performed by a physician who has a deep understanding of anatomy and the experience to provide a precise treatment.
At Reflections, this is procedure is limited to a select group of our team of physicians who have received additional training and have extensive experience with ThermiTight. This allows us to ensure patient safety and provides the best results possible.
Schedule a Free Consultation
ThermiTight is just one of several non-invasive skin tightening treatments we offer. At your free consultation, we will discuss your concerns, goals, and lifestyle to determine the best treatment plan for you. Our goal is to provide safe and effective care with a treatment plan you are comfortable with. You can schedule your free consultation by submitting a form online. If you’re an existing patient, call the practice to access your information the fastest.
Frequently Asked Questions About ThermiTight for Body
- Am I a candidate for ThermiTight?
Most people would be considered a good candidate for ThermiTight skin tightening for the body. There are a few exceptions, though, that you should be aware of. Patients with pacemakers (AICDs), implantable spinal cord stimulators, cochlear implants, and defibrillators should not have radiofrequency treatments, including ThermiTight. ThermiTight has not been studied for safety in pregnant women. You should also be aware that if you are on blood thinners or some other medications, there is an increased risk of significant bruising. For this reason, please bring an up-to-date list of your medications with you to your consultation, so we can minimize these risks. Bruising will not affect your results, but it will increase your downtime, which we always try to keep as minimal as possible.
The best candidates for ThermiTight are people who want to delay having a major surgical procedure to correct their loose skin, but still want to see a meaningful improvement in a single treatment session. They may have tried non-invasive skin tightening treatments in the past, and are looking for a procedure that’s more powerful but doesn’t have the downtime and risks associated with surgery. We will assess your skin during your complimentary consultation to see if you’re a good candidate for ThermiTight. Many people are, but some have laxity that is beyond the reach of ThermiTight and really need a surgical solution. We’ll be upfront about this and work to pair you with the best solution for your particular needs. - What is recovery after ThermiTight like? Will I need to take time off of work?
All patients experience some swelling and redness after ThermiTight. We have found ways to minimize the swelling, both through technique used during the procedure and through certain aftercare instructions we give to all of our patients. Bruising is rare, but is a risk. Swelling usually resolves within a few days following the procedure.
Patients who wish to keep their treatment private usually take a few days off from work and social engagements, to allow swelling to subside. Typically a patient who has the procedure on a Thursday or Friday should feel confident returning to work on Monday.
After your procedure, you will be wrapped in a compression garment designed to support the tissue as it heals and reduce swelling and recovery time. Compression garments help with lymph drainage and circulation, as well as relieving tissues of gravity’s pulls while they heal, allowing the tissue to contract the maximum amount possible. You will be given instructions on how and when to wear your garment. These instructions vary by the treatment area. For a large abdominal treatment, you can expect to wear a garment 24 hours a day for the first week, and then only at night for the next 2-3 weeks. Garments are similar to Spanx. They are firm, but should not pinch or constrict.
- What kind of anesthesia or numbing is used with ThermiTight?
ThermiTight is performed under local anesthetic. We do offer relaxing medications for patients who are anxious about the procedure, but it is exceedingly rare that patients need them. Once the local anesthetic has been given, you will feel numb, just like you do at the dentist. It will take a few hours to wear off. We typically give patients over-the-counter Advil to ensure they feel comfortable for the evening.
- Is ThermiTight safe?
ThermiTight is FDA-cleared for safety and efficacy and has been used for several years by specially trained physicians at Reflections with no serious incidents (no complications beyond swelling or bruising). ThermiTight relies on radio-frequency heating of the tissues to affect certain changes to fat and skin layers. To ensure the precision of temperature, ThermiTight offers two constant measures of tissue temperature. This is what sets ThermiTight ahead of the competition – this level of precision simply isn’t available in many other modalities. ThermiTight has an internal thermostat at the probe tip, where energy is delivered beneath the skin, which adjusts the energy based on readings taken several times a second. There is also an external heat-mapping camera which gives the physician a visual map of where the heat is being placed and exactly what temperature the tissue in that area is. Results from ThermiTight have been optimized using temperatures that vary by 1-degree celsius, so precision heat-mapping allows us to achieve the very best and safest results possible.
- What are alternatives to ThermiTight for body skin tightening?
Unlike energy devices that rely on transference (pushing energy through the top layers of the skin to treat the deeper tissue layers), such as ThermiSmooth, Exilis, and Ultherapy, ThermiTight is able to deliver more energy with greater precision. With ThermiSmooth, Exilis, and Ultherapy, you are somewhat limited in the amount of energy that can be delivered, because the energy can’t be so great that it would damage the upper layers of the skin. Now the trade-off here is that Ultherapy, Exilis, and ThermiSmooth are non-invasive, so there really isn’t any downtime with those treatments. Because ThermiSmooth, Exilis, and Ultherapy offer less energy per treatment, we often recommend them as a series of treatments to see the same level of result you would from one ThermiTight treatment (we never recommend ThermiTight as a series – it’s one treatment that may be repeated several years later when the results start to diminish due to continued aging). Ultherapy is focused ultrasound for skin tightening. ThermiSmooth is the non-invasive setting on the ThermiRF machine which houses both ThermiTight and ThermiSmooth and is a radio-frequency device. Exilis was originally just a radio-frequency treatment, but they have recently updated the device to combine both radio-frequency and ultrasound into the treatment. This does create an easier, faster treatment with more predictable results. For non-invasive body skin tightening, Exilis is currently our favorite, because it’s able to combine the best of both worlds.
The most similar treatment we offer to ThermiTight is PrecisionTX. Where ThermiTight uses radio frequency, PrecisionTX uses laser energy. PrecisionTX is very similar in that it delivers the energy below the skin, for precise treatment. It is part of the Smartlipo Triplex system, which means it can easily be added to a liposuction procedure, though it does not have to be used for fat reduction. Our choice between these two treatments depends upon the treatment area, the individual’s anatomy, and goals for the treatment beyond skin tightening (such as the extent of fat removal and smoothing desired).
To learn more about alternative treatments, please visit our body skin tightening page, which includes a full discussion of all available options, including those we don’t offer and why.
- How long does it take to see results from ThermiTight?
Many patients say they see an immediate benefit, but the full results of a ThermiTight treatment unfold over the weeks and months following the procedure, as the collagen-stimulating effects take hold. Most patients feel these results are worth the wait, as ThermiTight enjoys a 94 percent approval rating on Real Self.
- Does ThermiTight hurt?
You will feel the injections of the numbing medication, just like when you get a cavity filled, but you will not feel anything after that and for several hours. When the numbing wears off, you may feel some soreness from any bruising or fullness from swelling. Expect the soreness to last 1-2 days and be mild enough to be well-tolerated. You can take over the counter pain medications for this, if you desire, but do speak with your Reflections doctor about which ones.
- What is the downtime like with ThermiTight?
Many people resume their normal activates a day or two after their ThermiTight skin tightening treatment, and some experience some bruising and swelling for about a week after the procedure. Like many things, this varies from patient to patient and where on your body the treatment was performed, and we’ll discuss what you can expect in particular when you come in for your complimentary ThermiTight consultation.
- What happens during the ThermiTight procedure?
Treatment starts when numbing fluid is gently infiltrated under the skin in the treatment area. This makes the procedure comfortable and also constricts the blood vessels to reduce the chances of bruising. Next, the physician will make a few tiny openings so that the treatment wand can be placed under the skin. These openings are very small and normally heal up and become invisible after the treatment. The wand will then be passed under the skin, heating its inner layers and stimulating your body to produce collagen, the building block of tighter, more youthful skin. Most ThermiTight treatments last about an hour. You’ll be fitted with a gentle wrap after the procedure, and, if you’ve had a body treatment, you may be advised to wear a compression garment for a week or so after the procedure to help reduce any temporary swelling.
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Read MoreDr. Mitchell Chasin is a Cosmetic & Laser Physician at Reflections Center. Dr. Chasin believes strongly that the best cosmetic physicians are those who are dedicated to mastering their craft through continuing education and collaboration with the industry’s top doctors.