Pelleve vs ThermageMay 19, 2025
Not everyone is ready for the downtime and discomfort that comes with going under surgical procedures. That’s why more people are turning to non-surgical skin tightening treatments to firm up loose skin and boost their overall quality of their skin.
Two of the most popular non-surgical skin tightening options on the market today are Pelleve and Thermage. While both use radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production, the key difference lies in how deeply they penetrate beneath the skin. Pelleve targets just below the surface of your skin for a gentle lift, while Thermage penetrates deeper for more dramatic results.
At Spa26, we offer all kinds of skin tightening treatments like Pelleve, a non-invasive treatment that delivers visible firming with zero downtime. If you’re curious whether it’s right for you, contact us to book a consultation.
In this blog, we’ll break down how non-surgical skin tightening works, compare Pellevé and Thermage side by side, and explore the benefits of combining treatments for even better results.
Skin tightening treatments are designed to address sagging or loose skin on your body, especially around areas like your face, neck, arms, inner thighs, and abdomen. Most people use these treatments to deal with fine lines and wrinkles or just improve their overall skin quality.
These non-invasive skin tightening procedures rely on energy-based technologies like radiofrequency energy, ultrasound waves, and lasers to reverse sagging skin. Unlike surgical treatments that require incisions and recovery time, nonsurgical treatments keep your skin’s surface (epidermis) intact and unharmed.
The heat released into your dermis activates your body’s natural healing process and triggers your collagen and elastin fibers into action. Over time, your body will start producing new collagen, which is what causes the visible tightening and smoother texture we see.
The best part about these treatments is that they don’t require any local anesthesia because they are not painful. Plus, there’s little to no downtime involved, no matter your skin type.
Pellevé is a non-invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to gently heat up the deep layers of your skin without harming the surface of your skin. This controlled energy triggers your body’s natural collagen production process, leaving you with firmer skin over time.
Pelleve is an FDA-approved treatment best suited for people dealing with moderate wrinkles and mild skin laxity. Each session typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes and involves a specialist gliding a warm, handheld device across the treatment area.
There’s no need for any numbing agent or local anesthesia because it is not a painful procedure. Most patients have described it as a relaxing, warm stone massage. After 1 to 3 sessions, you’ll notice your skin looking tighter and more radiant. There’s zero downtime, and the side effects (if any) are temporary and usually resolve in a couple of days.
Like Pelleve, Thermage also uses radiofrequency energy to tighten your skin. The major difference between the two is that Thermage uses a monopolar radiofrequency system, which allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin.
A single session lasts between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the area being treated. If you have mild skin laxity issues that you want solved as soon as possible, Thermage might be right for you. Like Pelleve, there’s no need for local anesthesia, but you may feel brief moments of intense warmth, followed by cooling sensations to keep you comfortable.
Results from a single treatment improve over 3 to 6 months as more collagen is produced. Most patients enjoy lifting and firming effects that can last up to two years, with only mild redness or swelling that fades within a day or two.
Feature | Pellevé | Thermage |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Continuous RF energy | Monopolar RF with cooling |
| Treatment Depth | More superficial | Deeper tissue tightening |
| Pain Level | Comfortable, no anesthesia needed | May involve some discomfort |
| Downtime | None | None to minimal |
| Number of Sessions | Multiple recommended | Usually, one session is needed |
| Results Timeline | Gradually, over a few sessions | Often noticeable after one session |
| Target Areas | Face, especially around the eyes | Face and body |
On average, Pelleve ranges from $500 to $1500 per session, while Thermage can cost between $700 and $6000 for a single treatment. The higher price point for Thermage is often linked to its wider coverage and deeper skin penetration.
While Pelleve is ideal for treating areas like your face, especially around your eyes, Thermage can treat larger zones like your abdomen in a single treatment. Other factors that can influence the cost of these procedures include:
Absolutely! Many patients combine different skin tightening procedures to address different concerns like fine lines, sagging, and uneven texture at the same time. This usually leads to more dramatic and longer-lasting results without having to undergo surgery.
Let’s say you decide to combine Pelleve and Thermage; you’d be using a duo that targets both surface and deep layers of the skin. While Pellevé focuses on the outer layers of your skin for visible results, Thermage reaches deeper below your skin’s surface to stimulate collagen fibers and lift your skin from the inside.
Another popular combination is microneedling with radiofrequency. This procedure creates controlled injuries on your skin to boost the effect of the laser. This method stimulates even more natural collagen while improving overall skin quality.
Some clinics also pair ultrasound therapy with radiofrequency to further improve the elasticity of your skin. These different technologies trigger collagen production at varying skin depths, which can result in smoother, firmer skin.
The real benefit of combining treatments is that they work together to speed up results, reduce the number of sessions you’ll need, and still keep downtime to a minimum.
Whether you opt for Pelleve or Thermage should be dependent on your goals, comfort, and budget. We recommend Pelleve to anyone who wants a gentle and relaxing way to subtly tighten their skin over time. But, for those looking for more dramatic results, Thermage is your best bet.
Regardless of what treatment you go for, you should always speak with a board-certified provider before making a final decision. They’re in the best position to determine what’s best for your skin type.
The best clinic to trust with your skin is one backed by an experienced team that specializes in various FDA-approved skin tightening treatments. That’s exactly what you get at Spa26. We combine advanced tech and personalized care in order to put your safety and satisfaction first. Contact us today to kickstart your journey to firmer skin.
Both treatments manage skin laxity by stimulating collagen production, but they do it in different ways. On one hand, Thermage uses high temperatures and goes deeper into your skin, which can make it slightly uncomfortable. On the other hand, Pelleve uses a gentle radiofrequency energy to activate the existing collagen in your skin without any pain or downtime.
The answer is it depends. Factors like your skin type, how loose your skin is, and your goals play a role in what treatment is best for you. For example, non-surgical options like Pelleve are the best option for people who aren’t open to more invasive treatments. Additionally, it can easily be combined with other treatments like Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) for more dramatic results.
Radiofrequency (RF) treatments like Pelleve are among the most effective non-invasive methods of reversing loose skin. It stimulates collagen production and treats fine lines on delicate areas like your face. Plus, it works wells on all kinds of skin tones with minimal discomfort.
Sheila Nazarian is the founder and operator of Spa26. Dr. Nazarian’s Spa26 patients benefit from her numerous qualifications. She has years of training and expertise as a board-certified plastic surgeon. She graduated from Columbia University, where she concentrated in pre-med. She studied medicine and earned her doctor of medicine degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University.
Spa26 offers luxury skincare, anti-aging treatments, and wellness services. Consult with our experienced team at (310) 683-7537.
