Is it true that Thermage® FLX causes cheek volume loss?

Yes, for thin faces with little subcutaneous fat, heat penetrates deeper into the fat layer even at the same energy level, so the risk of volume reduction is relatively higher. In people with thicker cheek fat, heat is dispersed in the dermis and superficial fat layer, but in thin faces, there is less fat to act as a buffer, so heat tends to concentrate.

Moreover, thin faces have less volume to begin with, so even the same amount of fat loss makes hollowing much more noticeable. Therefore, if you have little cheek fat and shadows under the cheekbones, it is essential to have your skin thickness and fat volume assessed before treatment and to adjust the energy design accordingly.

Yes, the key to preventing cheek volume loss is designing the energy level and shot distribution according to the individual's skin thickness and fat volume. For thin faces, you can reduce the risk by lowering the energy level, avoiding excessive overlapping of shots on areas with little fat such as the center of the cheek, and distributing shots mainly along the boundary where sagging begins and the jawline.

Even with the same Thermage® FLX device, results vary depending on where the Dermatologist places the shots, how many shots are used, and at what energy level. Therefore, the judgment of the Dermatologist, who can read and plan based on the distribution of facial fat, is a key factor in prevention, rather than the device itself. It is advisable to have an evaluation of your own volume status before the procedure.

If cheek volume loss has occurred, recovery can be aided by procedures that stimulate collagen production or directly replenish volume. Mild hollowing may partially improve over time, but significant volume reduction is unlikely to recover naturally, so a step-by-step volume restoration plan is needed.

Which option is suitable depends on the extent and depth of hollowing and skin condition. Rather than rushing to fill all at once, restoring step by step while considering overall facial balance helps achieve natural results.

If you have a thin face with insufficient volume, it is advisable to consider an approach that combines elasticity treatments and volume treatments. If the cause of sagging is volume loss rather than loss of skin elasticity, reinforcing volume with collagen-stimulating treatments such as Sculptra or JUVELOOK Volume is closer to a fundamental improvement than repeating tightening treatments alone.

If elasticity improvement is needed, using RF lifting devices with a wide energy design range such as Alltite or 10THERMA at low levels, or customized treatments that reduce the burden on the fat layer, can also be alternatives. Since the first step is to diagnose whether your face is a 'face that needs tightening' or a 'face that needs filling,' we recommend consulting a specialist before choosing a treatment.