qd body thermage flx
Body Thermage FLX uses monopolar radiofrequency to firm areas of body skin laxity — commonly the abdomen, the upper arms, the thighs or the knees. A larger body tip heats the deep dermis to tighten skin and stimulate collagen, and it may temporarily improve the look of cellulite. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we decide the areas after assessing your skin; a session usually takes about 45–90 minutes with little downtime. (Results vary by individual.)
is this for me
Who it’s for
Even if none of these describes you, we will look again at the consultation.
- Mild skin laxity on the abdomen, arms or thighs
- Crepey skin above the knees or elbows
- People who want to firm body skin without surgery
- Those looking to temporarily improve the look of cellulite
Body Thermage addresses skin firmness, not weight or fat volume — it is not a fat-reduction or weight-loss treatment. Whether it suits you is confirmed during consultation.
Before you pick a treatment name, start with the cause of your concern.
start with your concern
Even a treatment with the same name takes on a different role and scope depending on your current structure, the change you want, what you have had before and the recovery time you have.
01
Where you are now, and where we start
Laxity in body skin and dermal elasticity
02
The change you want, the impression you keep
Rather than how much to lift, we first decide what impression to leave, then mark out how much expression and volume to keep.
03
How it differs from similar options
We compare how deep ultrasound, radiofrequency and microwave energy reach and what each does, alongside thread lifting and surgery.
04
Health information and recovery schedule
We check medication and conditions, any implant in the area, possible pregnancy and the dates that matter, then set the timing and intensity.
the
principle
Monopolar radiofrequency delivers heat to the border between the dermis and the subcutaneous layer, with intensity and density adjusted to your skin thickness and how much fat there is.
A larger body tip delivers monopolar radiofrequency to the deep dermis of the body area, contracting existing collagen for an early firming effect and prompting gradual renewal over the following months. The vibrating tip and cooling spray keep the surface comfortable. Thermage is a radiofrequency technology cleared by the US FDA for the non-invasive treatment of wrinkles and for the temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite.
How it works
01
A larger tip for body skin
A larger body tip delivers monopolar radiofrequency to the deep dermis of the body area, heating a broad volume rather than focusing energy to separate points.
02
An early effect, then renewal
The heat contracts existing collagen for an immediate firming effect, and prompts gradual collagen renewal over the following months.
03
Cooling and vibration for comfort
The FLX handpiece pairs each pulse with a cooling spray and a vibrating tip, which protect the surface and ease the sensation of heat.
04
Firmness, and the look of cellulite
Thermage is FDA-cleared for the temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite; it addresses skin firmness and texture, not fat volume or weight.
The same treatment, never the same plan.
the qd standard
Rather than a fashionable name or a fixed package, we weigh the structure found at examination, safety, recovery and the limits within one plan.
- 01DIAGNOSIS FIRSTCause before nameWe first separate out the tissue and the function behind your concern.
- 02LESS, PRECISEOnly as much as neededRather than an excessive change, we plan the smallest scope with a clear role.
- 03HONEST LIMITThe limits, explained tooWe explain the change you can expect, the alternatives, individual differences and the risks.
From consultation to follow-up, planned as one flow.
personal plan
Body Thermage FLX uses monopolar radiofrequency to firm areas of body skin laxity — commonly the abdomen, the upper arms, the thighs or the knees. A larger body tip heats the deep dermis to tighten skin and stimulate collagen, and it may temporarily improve the look of cellulite. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we decide the areas after assessing your skin; a session usually takes about 45–90 minutes with little downtime. (Results vary by individual.)
Layer-by-layer diagnosis
We examine whether the sagging, the lines or the volume sit closer to the dermis, the fat or the deep supporting layer.
Mapping by area
We mark what to treat, what volume to keep and what to avoid, so the settings differ even within one face.
A plan built on response
Taking in how your skin reacted, how it felt and any earlier energy treatments, we set the intensity, the area and the follow-up point.
What the procedure is like
- Consultation and assessment of the body area
- Cleansing and grid mapping of the treatment zone
- Radiofrequency delivery with cooling and vibration
- Soothing and aftercare guidance
Time: A body session takes about 45–90 minutes.
Please read this before treatment
- Little to no downtime; most people return to daily activities the same day.
- Temporary redness, mild swelling or warmth in the treated area may occur.
- Use sun protection on exposed areas and follow the aftercare guidance we provide.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Temporary redness, a warm feeling, or mild swelling in the treated area
- Tenderness for a short time
- Occasionally small areas of bruising
- Rarely, temporary changes in skin sensation, or surface marks, that typically settle
When to take extra care
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding — let us know at consultation
- A pacemaker or other implanted electronic or electrical device — important for radiofrequency, tell your doctor
- Active skin infection, inflammation or open lesions in the treatment area
- Metal implants in the area, or recent fillers or threads — tell your doctor so timing can be planned
- A history of keloid or difficulty with wound healing
what to expect
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0
Treatment day
Brief heat with each pulse across the body area, eased by cooling and vibration; some people feel an immediate tightening. Afterwards mild redness or warmth that usually settles within hours. Most people return to daily activities the same day.
DAY 1-3
Settling
Any redness, mild swelling or warmth in the treated area generally eases. Normal activity and skincare can usually resume as advised.
WEEK 2-8
Early firming
Early firming of the body skin may be noticeable. This varies from person to person.
2-6 MONTHS
Collagen renewal
As collagen renews, a gradual firmness in the treated area becomes more noticeable for many people. This is typically when results are assessed. (Results vary by individual.)
~6 MONTHS
Review
Thermage is often repeated per cycle; your doctor reviews the outcome and discusses whether to repeat treatment for that area.
Sessions & results
A single session per area per cycle is common, with changes appearing gradually over about 2–6 months as collagen renews. Whether to repeat is decided at consultation. (Results vary by individual.)
how it compares
How it compares
On the body, several energy treatments address different things — skin firmness versus fat. They are not interchangeable, and the right choice depends on your goal.
| Thermage FLX | Sofwave | ONDA Lifting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Monopolar radiofrequency | Ultrasound (SUPERB parallel beams) | Microwave (Coolwaves) |
| Main target | Skin tightening across the dermis | Skin firmness in the mid-dermis | Selective targeting of deeper fat |
| Often chosen for | Lax skin and the look of cellulite | Crepey or lax body skin | Localized fat with some laxity |
| Sensation | Warm heating cycles with cooling | Warmth with integrated cooling | Deep warmth over the area |
| Downtime | Little to none | Little to none | Little to none |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Before you decide, the questions people always ask
before consultation
We look at the places where the skin has slackened — the abdomen, the inner arms, the thighs, above the knees. Thermage FLX is a device approved for use on the body as well, and we fit a different tip depending on the area. Which area is right for you is something we decide after examining your skin thickness, the state of the fat and how much laxity there is.
This is not a fat-reduction treatment. It works on the firmness of skin that has slackened, so your weight or your measurements will not change noticeably. If fat itself is what concerns you, we will go through the other options with you, and where both concerns are present we plan them in a sensible order.
A stretch mark is the trace of a dermis that has already torn, so the skin does not go back to the way it was. The marks can look less pronounced as the surrounding skin regains firmness, but this is not a treatment that removes them. We would rather set expectations in advance, so we tell you honestly at the consultation.
It varies a great deal with the area and how much of it we treat. A broad site such as the whole abdomen takes longer, and the time the skin is exposed to heat rises along with it, so we often recommend splitting the treatment into separate sessions. Once we have settled the extent at the consultation, we will tell you how long to expect.
A hot, burning feeling or tenderness on pressure can remain for a few days and usually settles on its own. If blisters form or the pain keeps getting worse, that is not a normal course, so please contact us straight away. On the day itself, please avoid saunas, hot baths and strenuous exercise.
The medical information on this page was reviewed by Hong Sahyeok, plastic surgeon and Medical Director of QD Clinic.
personal consultation
Tell us what bothers you now, the change you want, what you have had done before and any dates that matter. We will compare the possible approaches and their limits, calmly.
Consult now