Medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · Last reviewed · 3 min read
Published 13 October 2026 · Reviewed by Dr Sin Yong
Thermage is a monopolar radiofrequency skin-tightening platform from Solta Medical. The current FLX generation delivers capacitively coupled radiofrequency at 6.78 MHz with cryogen cooling of the skin surface, heating the deep dermis and fibrous septae so that collagen contracts and remodels over the following months. It is used for mild to moderate laxity of the face, eyelids, neck and body. It does not add volume, reduce fat or remove excess skin.
Key facts
Technology
Monopolar, capacitively coupled RF at 6.78 MHz; Solta Medical; FLX is the fourth-generation applicator
Cooling
Cryogen spray to the epidermis before, during and after each pulse
Target
Dermal collagen and subcutaneous septae, not the SMAS reached by focused ultrasound
Same class as
CLASSYS Volnewmer: 6.78 MHz monopolar RF with continuous water cooling
Where it fits
Thermage is the reference device for monopolar radiofrequency, with two decades of published literature behind the mechanism of bulk dermal heating. Dr Sin Yong's VF Lift – Vertical Facelift runs on Volnewmer, a platform of the same class and frequency that cools the surface with water rather than cryogen; in a randomised split-face trial in 22 Asian women the two gave comparable lifting with significantly less pain on Volnewmer (Roh, Ann Dermatol 2025). Neither is HIFU: radiofrequency heats a field, focused ultrasound heats points at set depths. Full page: Thermage FLX in Singapore; the head-to-head on Thermage vs Volnewmer; the protocol it is most often compared with on VF Lift – Vertical Facelift.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Thermage is monopolar radiofrequency that bulk-heats the dermis and its septae; HIFU is focused ultrasound that heats discrete points at set depths, reaching the SMAS. They are different mechanisms chosen for different presentations.
They share the technology class and frequency, 6.78 MHz monopolar radiofrequency, and differ mainly in surface cooling: cryogen on Thermage, continuous water cooling on Volnewmer. A randomised split-face trial found comparable lifting and less pain with Volnewmer.
References
US FDA 510(k) summary K170758 — Thermage FLX (Solta Medical), 2017: 6.78 MHz; indications include non-invasive treatment of wrinkles and periorbital wrinkles. source
US FDA 510(k) summary K240248 — Volnewmer (CLASSYS), 2024: monopolar RF, 6.78 MHz; indication: electrocoagulation and haemostasis of soft tissue; predicate Thermage FLX. source
Roh H, Lee YI, et al. Monopolar radiofrequency with water cooling versus cryogen cooling: a prospective randomised split-face trial in 22 Asian women. Ann Dermatol. 2025;37(6):397-407. doi:10.5021/ad.25.166. source
