Technology

Thermage FLX

Thermage FLX is a non-invasive skin tightening treatment that uses monopolar radiofrequency to warm the deeper skin, for firmer, smoother-looking skin over the following months.

Want to understand Thermage FLX?

Anti-Aging Clinic can explain how this technology may fit into care, answer your questions, and help you explore the next step with a specialist.

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Thermage FLX in Vancouver

Understanding Thermage FLX.

Thermage FLX firms and smooths skin that has started to loosen, with no needles or incisions. A treatment tip glides over the skin, delivering monopolar radiofrequency that warms the deeper layers while a burst of cooling protects the surface. Your skin responds by tightening existing collagen and building new collagen over the following months, for a firmer, smoother look on the face, around the eyes and on the body.

At our clinic, Thermage FLX is performed by our senior laser technicians and cosmetic health and skincare advisors under the medical direction of Dr. Gidon Frame. It's one of five technologies in our non-surgical skin tightening service, so your plan can match the technology to your skin and goals.

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SessionsOften a single session per area
ResultsBuild gradually over several months
RecoveryMost people return to usual activities the same day
Performed byOur senior laser technicians

Your own plan is set at your consultation. Individual results vary.

How does Thermage FLX work?

Radiofrequency is a form of energy that creates gentle heat as it passes through the skin's tissue. Thermage FLX uses monopolar radiofrequency, which means the energy travels from the treatment tip through your skin to a small return pad placed on your body. Along the way it warms the deeper dermis, the collagen-rich layer that gives skin its firmness, and, depending on the tip, the connective tissue just beneath.

That warmth works in two stages. Existing collagen fibres contract, which can give a slight early tightening. The heat also starts your skin's natural repair process, so new collagen forms gradually over the following months. A cooling burst comes with each pulse to protect the surface, and the FLX design helps deliver energy evenly from one pulse to the next.

What Thermage FLX improves

Thermage FLX is well suited to gradual firming of skin with mild laxity and crepey texture in these areas:

  • Face and jawline, for firmer, smoother contours along the cheeks and jaw
  • Around the eyes, using a tip designed for the thin, delicate skin of the eye area
  • Neck, for smoother, firmer skin
  • Body, including the abdomen and thighs

Related concerns: loose or crepey skin, fine lines and wrinkles, jowls and lower-face laxity, neck laxity and neck lines, loose body skin and loose skin after weight loss.

See If Thermage FLX Suits Your Skin →

Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic

Curious where Thermage FLX may fit?

Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic can help you explore this technology, related treatments, and connected concerns.

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Benefits of Thermage FLX

  • No needles or incisions. Energy is delivered through intact skin.
  • Often one session per area. Convenient for busy schedules.
  • Back to your day. Most people return to their usual activities the same day.
  • Gradual, natural-looking firming as new collagen forms.
  • Comfort built in. Cooling and gentle vibration come with each pulse.

Safety, side effects and considerations

Thermage FLX works through intact skin, and most people have only mild, short-lived effects. Our senior laser technicians watch how your skin responds throughout treatment.

Common, temporary effects: redness, warmth, mild swelling and tenderness in the treated area, and sometimes tingling or sensitivity. These usually settle within a short time.

Less common effects:

  • small raised welts, ridging or a visible line between treated and untreated skin, which usually fade
  • blistering, crusting or a burn
  • temporary numbness or altered sensation in the treated area
  • temporary irritation of a facial nerve, causing short-lived changes in sensation or movement
  • loss of fat beneath the treated skin, which can occasionally leave a hollowed or dented area on the face
  • pigment change where the skin has been irritated or burned

Skin tone. Radiofrequency isn't drawn to pigment, so Thermage FLX is used across a broad range of skin tones. Deeper skin tones and recently tanned skin are more prone to pigment change if irritation or a burn occurs, so we review your skin type and recent sun exposure before treatment.

Reasons treatment may not be suitable or may be postponed:

  • a pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, neurostimulator or other electronic implant
  • metal implants in or near the treatment area
  • pregnancy
  • recent isotretinoin, or medicines that make the skin more sensitive or slow healing
  • infection, inflammation, sunburn or broken skin in the area
  • medical conditions that affect healing

This is not a complete list. Your medical history, medications and any implants are reviewed before treatment.

Related Treatments

Treatments that may utilize this technology.

Non-Surgical Skin Tightening

Uses controlled energy to warm the deeper layers of the skin and stimulate new collagen, for firmer, smoother-looking skin without surgery.

Read treatment page →

Conditions It May Help Address

Concerns connected to this technology.

The relationship between a technology and a concern depends on the treatment plan, patient assessment, and how the technology is being used.

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Visible facial creases that develop from repeated expression, collagen loss, sun exposure and skin dryness.

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Loose or Crepey Skin

Reduced firmness and mild tissue descent related to aging and the decline of collagen and elastin.

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Neck Laxity and Neck Lines

Loose neck skin, horizontal creases, or visible muscle bands that can reduce definition of the neck and jawline.

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Not sure how Thermage FLX may fit?

Talk with Anti-Aging Clinic about your goals and the options that may be worth exploring.

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Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic

Why patients choose our clinic for Thermage FLX

  • Five skin tightening technologies. Thermage FLX sits alongside Ultherapy, SkinTyte II, Secret RF microneedling on our Secret PRO platform and Emface, each working in its own way and at its own depth, so your plan matches the technology to your skin.
  • Experienced hands. Our senior laser technicians and cosmetic health and skincare advisors perform your treatment under the medical direction of Dr. Gidon Frame.
  • Layered planning. Thermage FLX firms the skin, while our physicians can rebuild deeper support with Sculptra or fillers when volume is also part of the picture.
  • Physician-led care in Vancouver since 2003, at our clinic in Kitsilano.

Your consultation. You'll meet our senior laser technicians or cosmetic health and skincare advisors, who look at your skin, the areas you'd like to firm and your timing, and build your plan with you. Cosmetic consultations are complimentary.

Start Your Skin Tightening Plan →

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FAQ

Questions about Thermage FLX.

Most people describe a brief deep warmth with each pulse, softened by the cooling burst and gentle vibration that come with it. Some areas feel more sensitive than others, so we check in with you throughout and adjust the energy to your comfort. If comfort is a worry, mention it at your consultation and we'll talk you through what to expect.

Thermage FLX is often performed as a single session per area, depending on your concern and how your skin responds. A repeat treatment can be considered over time to maintain your result, and your plan sets out what suits you.

Both firm the skin by encouraging new collagen, but they work differently. Thermage FLX warms the deeper skin broadly across an area with radiofrequency, while Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound with imaging to reach the deeper supporting layer of the face and neck. Some patients benefit from one, and some from both at different times. At your consultation, our team looks at your skin and goals and recommends the option that fits.

They do different things. Thermage FLX firms and tightens skin with mild laxity, while surgery removes excess skin and repositions tissue. If your laxity is more advanced, our team can talk you through whether a surgical opinion would suit your goals.

Your treatment plan

Thermage FLX is often a single session per area. The length of your appointment depends on how many areas are treated, and your plan sets out the areas, the tip used for each and how Thermage FLX fits with any other treatments you're considering.

Before your treatment

Please tell us about any implanted electronic device, metal implants, previous facial surgery, recent injectable treatments and your medications, including isotretinoin and any medicines that make your skin more sensitive. Arrive with clean skin, free of makeup and lotion on the areas being treated, and remove jewellery nearby. If the skin is sunburned, irritated or broken, we'll wait until it has settled.

During your treatment

A small return pad is placed on your body to complete the radiofrequency circuit, and the area is mapped so the tip covers it evenly. The tip then moves across the skin pulse by pulse. Each pulse brings a cooling burst, a brief deep warmth and gentle vibration, which many people find makes the heat easier to tolerate. We check in with you as we go and adjust the energy to your comfort.

After your treatment and recovery

The treated skin may look pink and feel warm, tender or slightly swollen for a short time, and most people return to their usual activities the same day. While your skin settles, skip saunas, hot yoga and very hot showers. Use a gentle cleanser and a bland moisturizer, and apply sunscreen every day.

Results and timeline

Some people notice a slight tightening soon after treatment. The main change builds gradually over several months as new collagen forms, giving firmer, smoother-looking skin in the treated areas. Individual results vary with your age, skin quality, sun exposure and how your skin builds collagen.

Maintenance

Your skin keeps aging naturally, so a repeat treatment can be considered over time to maintain your result. Our team reviews your result with you and suggests timing that suits your skin. Daily sunscreen and a medical-grade routine from our online shop help protect the collagen your treatment builds.

Plan Your Thermage FLX Treatment →

Reviews

What patients say about the clinic experience.

Reviews help show the human side of care, from the first consultation to comfort, communication, treatment planning, and follow-up.

Medical Review

Reviewed for clinical accuracy.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Gidon Frame, Medical Director, Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic (CPSBC).
Last medically reviewed: August 2026.
Evidence reviewed: clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews and peer-reviewed medical literature.

AuthorDr. Gidon Frame
Medical ReviewerDr. Gidon Frame
Last ReviewedSeptember 2026
Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic

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Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic combines medical assessment, individualized planning, physician oversight, and a broad range of treatment options in its Vancouver clinic.

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Phone(604) 261-9121
Emailinfo@aamvan.com

Why Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic?

  • A medical clinic with physicians and experienced medical-aesthetic providers on the team.
  • Science-informed assessment, treatment planning, and realistic expectations.
  • Laser, injectables, skin, body, hair, wellness, and medical services available in one clinic.
  • Complimentary aesthetic consultations are available for appropriate cosmetic and laser services.
  • Personalized skincare and product consultations based on your goals and routine.
  • Home-care guidance to support your skin between in-clinic appointments.
  • Professional skincare products available through the Anti-Aging Vancouver shop.
  • Clear guidance on treatment options, preparation, downtime, aftercare, and next steps.
  • Ongoing follow-up so your plan can evolve as your needs and goals change.