qd thermage flx for neck lines
Thermage FLX for the neck uses monopolar radiofrequency to tighten the skin of the neck and under-chin, where laxity and horizontal lines show with age. The heat firms the skin and stimulates collagen, while the vibrating tip and cooling spray protect the surface. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we map the neck with a treatment grid after assessing your skin; a session usually takes about 30–60 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.
- Horizontal neck lines and early neck laxity
- Under-chin softness beneath the jaw
- People who want to firm neck skin without surgery
- Those pairing neck care with a facial plan
Neck skin is thin and mobile, so the doctor tunes the energy carefully. Deep static bands may respond less and are discussed at 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
The horizontal lines on the neck and skin 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.
Monopolar radiofrequency heats the deep dermis along the neck and under-chin; the heat contracts existing collagen for an early firming effect and prompts gradual renewal over the following months, which may soften lines and laxity. The vibrating tip and cooling spray keep the thin neck skin comfortable, and AccuREP tunes the energy for even heating. Thermage is a radiofrequency technology cleared by the US FDA for the non-invasive treatment of wrinkles.
How it works
01
Radiofrequency heats the deep dermis
Monopolar radiofrequency heats a broad volume of the deep dermis, rather than focusing energy to separate points — a different way of delivering heat than ultrasound.
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 on thin skin
The FLX handpiece pairs each pulse with a cooling spray and a vibrating tip, protecting the thin, mobile neck skin and easing the sensation of heat.
04
Energy tuned per pulse
AccuREP technology reads and adjusts the energy for each pulse, helping the heating stay even across the treatment area.
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
Thermage FLX for the neck uses monopolar radiofrequency to tighten the skin of the neck and under-chin, where laxity and horizontal lines show with age. The heat firms the skin and stimulates collagen, while the vibrating tip and cooling spray protect the surface. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we map the neck with a treatment grid after assessing your skin; a session usually takes about 30–60 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 neck and under-chin
- Cleansing and grid mapping along the neck
- Radiofrequency delivery with cooling and vibration
- Soothing and aftercare guidance
Time: A neck session takes about 30–60 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 along the neck may occur.
- Use sun protection on the neck and follow the aftercare guidance we provide.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Temporary redness, a warm feeling, or mild swelling along the neck
- Tenderness in treated areas 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 on the neck
- Metal implants in the area, or recent fillers or threads on the neck — 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 along the neck, 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 along the neck generally eases. Makeup and normal skincare can usually resume as advised.
WEEK 2-8
Early firming
Early firming of the neck and under-chin may be noticeable. This varies from person to person.
2-6 MONTHS
Collagen renewal
As collagen renews, a gradual tightening along the neck becomes more noticeable for many people, and lines may look softer. This is typically when results are assessed. (Results vary by individual.)
~6 MONTHS
Review & maintenance
Thermage is often repeated per cycle; your doctor reviews the outcome and discusses timing for a further session based on your neck skin.
Sessions & results
A single session per cycle is common, with changes appearing gradually over about 2–6 months as collagen renews along the neck. A maintenance plan is discussed at consultation. (Results vary by individual.)
how it compares
How it compares
These are all non-invasive, energy-based lifting treatments — but they use different energy and reach different depths, so they suit different goals.
| Thermage FLX | Ultherapy PRIME | Sofwave | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Monopolar radiofrequency | Focused ultrasound (imaging-guided) | Ultrasound (SUPERB) |
| Main depth | Broad heating of the dermis | Up to ~4.5 mm — reaches the SMAS | Mid-dermis (~1.5 mm) |
| Often chosen for | Tightening neck skin and texture | Deeper under-chin and neck lift | Fine neck lines and early laxity |
| Sensation | Warm heating cycles with cooling | Brief warmth at each point | Warmth with integrated cooling |
| 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
It can, but never at the same intensity we use on the face. The skin and the tissue under it are thin on the neck, and the thyroid and large blood vessels sit close beneath, so we pass over the area at a lower density and work around the thyroid. Please be sure to tell us if you have had surgery on your neck or have any metal or implants there.
They do not disappear completely. Horizontal lines that have been folded in the same place for years leave their mark even once firmness improves. It is more accurate to think of the goal as making them shallower, and for the deepest lines we also consider filling them. We tell you before the treatment how far we expect to get.
We often plan the two together, because once the area under the chin sags, the line of the neck blurs and the creases stand out more. That said, if the fullness under the chin comes from fat, radiofrequency alone is not enough, so we compare it with methods that treat fat directly. We first work out at the examination how much each cause is contributing.
Mild swelling and tenderness when pressed can last a few days. Difficulty swallowing or a change in your voice is not common, so if you notice anything like that, please do not wait and contact us right away. Rarely, a temporary change in sensation appears and then recovers.
It does. When you spend long hours looking down at a screen, the same spot keeps folding and the lines deepen again. Even when the treatment restores firmness, the result lasts a shorter time if the habit stays the same. Simply bringing the screen up to eye level and giving your neck time to straighten out already makes a difference.
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.
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