Key Summary
If you only have one or two areas of concern, such as cheeks, nasolabial folds, or jawline, we recommend 300 shots if you are receiving it for the first time. If you are concerned about sagging of the entire face, we recommend 600 shots.
- If you are worried about this part and it is your first time, we recommend 300 shots.
- If you are concerned about your entire face sagging 600 shots is more appropriate.
- If you have saggy cheeks or little facial skin Decide on energy and area design rather than the number of shots.
In the reviews, 600 shots did not hurt any more. The expression “quite painful” was the same in 11 out of 100 (11%) reviews of 300 shots and 13 out of 116 (11%) of 600 shot reviews. What has changed is anesthesia. Among the reviews on whether sedation was used, the rate of sedation was 44% for 300 shots and 71% for 600 shots. It was said that swelling occurred in 38 out of 70 cases, and bruising did not occur in 17 out of 18 cases.
Who may be better suited to 300 or 600 shots of Thermage?
If the problem area is small and this is your first time, compare 300 shots first, or if you want to cover the entire face at once, compare 600 shots first. Since there is no official range standard for the number of shots, the figure and table below convey the differences in concerns written by the two groups in the reviews.
| My concerns | Option to compare first | Trends seen in reviews |
|---|---|---|
| I am concerned about one or two areas of my cheeks, nasolabial folds, and jawline and am getting it for the first time | 300 shots | Of the 251 reviews for 300 shots, 86 wrote about cheeks or nasolabial folds, 65 about jawline, and 85 wrote “for the first time” or “lightly” |
| Concerned about overall elasticity and sagging of the face | 600 shots | Of the 368 reviews for 600 shots, 78 wrote about the entire face, and 42 out of 251 reviews for 300 shots |
| Concerns around the eyes | Check out the products specifically for the eye area | There are 11 reviews out of 251 for 300 shots and 26 out of 368 reviews for 600 shots, and the manufacturer has a separate tip specifically for the eye area |
| Saggy cheeks or low facial fat | Design before number of shots | There was 1 review out of 619 that said cheek dents appeared, and 2 reviews that said there were no dents |
Who may be better suited to 300 shots?
For those who have one or two areas of concern and are new to Thermage, this is the treatment to compare first. Among the 251 reviews for 300 shots, 86 wrote about the cheeks or chin, and 65 wrote about the jaw line, and among the 368 reviews for 600 shots, there were 73 and 70, respectively.
- People like this: I'm worried about my nasolabial fold and jawline, and I want to check out the Thermage.
- Rationale: This is a review. Among those who received 300 shots, 85 out of 251 reviews wrote “first time” or “starting lightly” (96 out of 368 reviews for 600 shots).
- Limitations: If you divide 300 shots across the entire face, there will be fewer shots for each area. What is more important is where it is used.
- What to check first: Get consultation on which part of the face to distribute the 300 shots.
Who may be better suited to 600 shots?
People concerned about sagging across the face, from the cheeks to the jawline, may compare 600 shots first. Among 368 reviews of 600 shots, 78 mentioned the full face, compared with 42 of 251 reviews of 300 shots.
- People like this: The cheek fat has sank, the jaw line has collapsed, and loss of elasticity can be felt throughout the face.
- Rationale: Reviews and clinic information. Some clinic posts recommend 600 shots for the entire face and 900 shots for the entire face and neck, but this is not the manufacturer's official standard.
- Limitations: Since shots are shared on the same face, the amount used in each area is reduced accordingly. And since the sedation rate is higher than 300 shots, you need to check the anesthesia cost separately.
- Check first: Get advice on where to distribute the 600 shots.
What is the difference between Thermage 300 shots and 600 shots?
The anesthesia chosen, the price, and the time when the effect was felt were different, and the pain and swelling were similar in the reviews. Comparing the number of two shots in 619 Thermage reviews is as follows.
| Comparison Items | 300 shots | 600 shots |
|---|---|---|
| “It was quite painful” in the review | 11% (11 out of 100) | 11% (13 out of 116) |
| Among the reviews about sedation: sedation | 44% (30 out of 68) | 71% (87 out of 123) |
| There was swelling at the end | 55% (17 out of 31) | 54% (21 out of 39) |
| Return to daily life immediately the day you receive it | 88% (21 out of 24) | 100% (38 out of 38) |
| A post about feeling the effects | 92% (201 out of 219) | 83% (247 out of 298) |
| Public price (Gangnam, VAT included) | Average price approximately 1.34 million won (4 clinics) | Average price approximately 2.17 million won (6 clinics) |
Of the 4,705 reviews, we read 788 with the number of shots, and analyzed 619 of them that received Thermage. The standard is 70 cases for swelling, 62 cases for return to daily life, and 173 cases for the time of effect. In the reviews of 600 shots, 47 (16%) said "it's still too early", which is more than 16 (7%) of 300 shots, so the difference in the percentage of people who felt the effect is largely due to the time of writing.
How did reviewers describe pain after Thermage?
Only 1 in 10 people in both the 300 and 600 shot reviews wrote that it was “quite painful,” and there was no evidence to suggest that the 600 shot was more painful. We reviewed 216 reviews (100 for the 300 shot and 116 for the 600 shot) about pain.
| Pain expression | 300 Shot Review | 600 Shot Review |
|---|---|---|
| It was quite painful | 11% | 11% |
| It was hot but bearable | 38% | 47% |
| It almost didn't hurt | 51% | 42% |
- Hot: Of the 216 cases of pain, 33 included expressions such as “hot” or “tingling.” There were three posts that said the area touching the bone, jaw line, and cheekbones felt hot or tingling.
- Adjustment: There were 13 out of 619 cases where the energy intensity was adjusted.
Because reviews are self-reported, these figures should be read as patterns in reported experiences rather than clinical incidence rates.
Should I get Thermage under sedation?
You do not necessarily have to undergo sedation, and you can decide on the method of anesthesia by discussing it with the clinic. When We reviewed reviews about whether sedation was used, the method of choosing was different depending on the number of shots.
| Anesthesia method | 300 Shot Reviews (68) | 600 Shot Reviews (123) |
|---|---|---|
| Sedation | 30 cases (44%) | 87 cases (71%) |
| without sleep | 38 cases (56%) | 36 cases (29%) |
- Content without sleep: There were 28 reviews for 300 shots and 23 for 600 shots using only topical anesthetic cream, and a post about non-sleep and a post about local anesthesia (2 600 shots) were also included here.
- Local anesthesia: Two reviews about local anesthesia both said it was because it hurt, and one said it hurt even after applying topical anesthetic cream for an hour. Among all 4,705 reviews, there was one post that said the clinic explained that local anesthesia was not recommended due to the risk of burns.
- Standard: Some clinics charge separate fees for sedation, so ask first whether anesthesia costs are included in the price.
How long can swelling and bruising last after Thermage?
Swelling was present in 54% of the reviews, and bruising occurred in only 1 out of 18 cases. There were 70 reviews that mentioned swelling, and 38 of them had swelling.
- Duration of swelling: There were 14 reviews listing the duration, 9 of which lasted less than a week, 5 of which lasted longer than a week, and 2 of which lasted close to a month.
- Manufacturer's Information: The manufacturer's US safety information states that redness usually subsides within 24 hours and swelling usually subsides within 5 days, but may remain for several weeks.
- Bruise: Of the 18 reviews about bruises, 17 said there were no bruises, and one said there were bruises where the anesthetic injection was administered.
- Immediate daily routine: 59 out of 62 (95%) reviews said they returned to their daily routine the day they received it.
- When making an appointment: Some people experience prolonged swelling, so it is safe to receive treatment 2 weeks in advance for important appointments.
When does the Thermage effect start to appear and how long does it last?
The point in time when the effect was felt in the reviews was widely spread from the day of receiving it to within a month, and there were two reviews that said they did not feel the effect even after a month. Looking at the 173 reviews that recorded the time point, it is as follows.
| When the effect was felt | Review Rate |
|---|---|
| Date received | 23% (40 cases) |
| Within 2 weeks | 42% (72 cases) |
| Within a month | 32% (55 cases) |
| After more than a month | 3% (6 cases) |
- Reviews that did not feel effective: There were 6 out of 619, and 2 of them wrote that they did not know even after a month or two.
- Maintenance: There were 24 posts stating the timing of retreatment, once a year in 24 posts, and every 6 months in 8 posts. Because it is a retreatment plan with only a small number of people receiving it, the actual maintenance period has not been confirmed.
- Comparative study: The closest one to the number of shots is a 2004 study in which 20 people were divided into one Thermage treatment and two treatments a month apart and compared 4 months later, and the two treatments were statistically better only for nasolabial folds. It's older equipment and the study compared the number of shots received, not the number of shots.
- Studies: We could not find any single studies using Thermage FLX with follow-up for more than 1 year. A 6-month follow-up study of 20 women in 2025 is the result of receiving 4 laser treatments together, so it cannot be seen as an effect of Thermage alone. The equipment used is all from the same manufacturer, and we have not confirmed whether it is supported by the manufacturer.
Is it true that 600 shots produce the effect of 900 shots?
We could not find any manufacturer evidence to support the statement "900 shot effect with 600 shots." This expression comes from the clinic's article explaining that the larger tip covers the same area with fewer shots.
The manufacturer's US site only states that the total tip of 4.0cm² is up to 25% faster than the 3.0cm² tip, but there is no indication that the effect is the same. Although you can perform a wider treatment in the same amount of time with a wider tip, that doesn't mean you'll get the same results. Ask about the number of shots, the type of tip, and where and how many shots are used.
What are the side effects of Thermage?
In the reviews, serious side effects were rare, but there was one case of cheek depressions and one case of blisters. Among the 619 cases, only one post (600 shots) said that cheek depressions were occurring, and during the consultation, it was explained that the facial fat did not go away. There was also one post (300 shots) that said blisters appeared, but the writer asked to increase the intensity because it didn't hurt, and said that blisters appeared in one area and the scab remained for a week. The reviewer suspected that gel application may have contributed.
The manufacturer's safety information lists burns, blisters, scars, skin surface irregularities, and temporary numbness or numbness as rare side effects. Do not perform the procedure if you have an internal electronic device such as a pacemaker. Pregnant and lactating people should be informed in advance as it is classified as an unstudied subject rather than a contraindication.
The indication in the US FDA approval document (K170758) is non-invasive treatment of wrinkles and wrinkles around the eyes. We have not been able to confirm the contents of the Korean MFDS permit, and there is no expression of “lifting” in this document, so guidance that describes the effect as “permitted lifting” should not be accepted as is, but must be examined first from the basis.
What should I do if more shots are recommended during the consultation?
Select the number of shots by the area of concern, and if recommended, ask which area needs more shots. Of the 127 reviews that mentioned additional shots, 10 said they were added or recommended. There were 2 out of 53 reviews for 300 shots, and 8 out of 74 reviews for 600 shots.
- Recommended review: There is a post saying that they ended up adding more shots than they expected, and a post saying that they were recommended another injection as well.
- Review that did not explain the number of shots: There was a dissatisfied review that said 600 shots were distributed evenly regardless of face shape.
- Genuine tips: There were 74 reviews that mentioned genuine tips, and there was also a post that said they checked to see if they showed a scene of the tip being ripped off when receiving anesthesia.
What should I ask during a consultation?
Rather than the number of shots, you need to ask where the shots are used and with what tips. Even the same 600 shots are treated differently depending on whether they are distributed over the entire face or concentrated on problem areas.
| What to check | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| Scope of treatment | Where does the face start from where does it end? Does it go into the neck too? |
| Distribution by part | How many shots do you use on the problem area, and where do you distribute the rest? |
| Tip | Do you open and show the genuine tip and check the number of shots after finishing? |
| anesthesia | Is it sedation or numbing cream? Is the cost included? |
| energy | If I tell you when it's too hot, will it lower the intensity? |
| facial fat | My cheeks tend to be sunken. Can I avoid that area for the treatment? |
| Actual practitioner | Does the doctor I consult perform the procedure themselves? |
What is the basis for comparing the prices of 300 shots and 600 shots of Thermage?
Even if the number of shots is the same, the actual price will vary depending on the type of VAT, anesthesia, and tip.
| Comparison criteria | What to check |
|---|---|
| product | Is it Thermage FLX, what are the number of shots and type of tip |
| range | Is it the whole face or just the area around the eyes or neck? |
| Total cost | Whether VAT, anesthesia, sedation, and follow-up care are included |
| Pricing Terms | First visit price, limited time, day of the week conditions |
| medical staff | Names and qualifications of consulting doctors and actual practitioners |
The prices in the preceding comparison table are the exclusive product prices (4 for 300 shots, 6 for 600 shots) released by 6 of the 16 Gangnam clinics whose prices were confirmed on September 30, 2026, including VAT. 300 shots were about 1.2 million won to 1.53 million won, and 600 shots were about 1.75 million won to 2.53 million won. Only 6 out of 16 clinics have released their prices, and event prices are mixed and change depending on the period. Looking at the four places that released the two products together under the same conditions, 600 shots were 1.46 to 1.67 times the price of 300 shots, and the price per shot was lower for 600 shots. Still, The first question is whether the increased shots are used for my problem area.
How DermaFocus compares clinics offering Thermage
The recommendation guide applies the same four criteria to all clinics.
| Comparison Items | Verification criteria |
|---|---|
| Treatment information | Equipment model, confirmation of genuine tips, shot distribution explanation, and whether or not post-treatment information is disclosed |
| medical staff | Specialist qualifications and actual practitioners confirmed by official sources |
| cost | Confirmation date, VAT, price conditions, whether anesthesia is included |
| Reviews | Repeated mention of sources, writing time, consultation and explanation for each platform |
The number of reviews and specialist qualifications are not used as scores to guarantee treatment results. The role of a recommendation guide is to display confirmed facts side by side using the same standards.
How this article was checked
The DermaFocus editorial team directly read and compiled the manufacturer's safety information, approval documents, papers, and actual reviews, and was not supervised by medical professionals.
- Reviews: Gangnam Unni and Babitalk collected 4,705 reviews with “Thermage” in the text from September 30 to October 1, 2026. Among them, 788 reviews with the number of shots written as 300 or 600 shots were read one by one to find 619 reviews that received Thermage (251 for 300 shots, 368 for 600 shots) Analyzed. In cases where the same article overlapped, we only counted it once, and looked at pain, anesthesia, swelling, bruising, return to daily life, timing of effect, recommendation for additional shots, cheek dents, and burns. The ratio of concerns such as cheeks, nasolabial folds, jawline, and entire face is calculated by counting the presence of the word in the text. The original text of the review, the author, and the name of the clinic have not been moved, and the number of cases may differ by a few.
- Manufacturer and approval data: Safety information and tip explanations from the manufacturer's US site, and indications, contraindications, and adverse reactions were confirmed in the FDA 510(k) K170758 approval document. Korea The Korean MFDS permit document could not be opened.
- Study: We checked the abstracts and full-text published sections of three Thermage studies listed in PubMed, and searched again on October 1, 2026 to see if there were any studies comparing the number of shots.
- Price: We checked the official websites of 16 Gangnam clinics, Gangnam Unni, and Babitalk as of September 30, 2026, and published prices, and only wrote about the 6 clinics where I found prices. Excluding products that bundle other procedures and prices that are conditional on the first visit, the average price was calculated based on the lowest single product price that anyone can receive at each clinic, including VAT, and the name of the clinic was not included.
- Limitations: We could not find any studies that directly compared 300 shots and 600 shots under the same conditions, and We could not find official manufacturer data that revealed the recommended range for each number of shots. The distinction between 300, 600, and 900 shot tips was only confirmed in sales and clinic information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 300 and 600 shots of Thermage?
If you are worried about a small area and it is your first time, we recommend 300 shots, and if you are worried about your entire face sagging, we recommend 600 shots. In the reviews, the number of shots was similar for the two shots (“It was quite painful” at 11% each), but the differences were the sedation rate (44% for 300 shots and 71% for 600 shots) and the average price (approximately 1.34 million won and approximately 2.17 million won).
What areas are used for Thermage 600 shots and how much does it cost?
In the 600-shot review, 78 out of 368 articles covered the entire face (42 out of 251 in the 300-shot review), and there is a separate product specifically for the eye area. The prices of exclusive products revealed by six Gangnam clinics ranged from about 1.75 million won to 2.53 million won, with the average price including VAT being about 2.17 million won.
Thermage Does 600 shots hurt more than 300 shots?
In the review, the pain was similar for both shots. 11% of the 300 shot and 11% of the 600 shot reviews said it was “quite painful,” while 38% and 47% of the reviews said it was hot but bearable, respectively. We could not find any evidence that 600 shots hurt more.
Does Thermage need to be performed under sedation?
It doesn't have to be that way. Among the reviews on whether 300 shots were 44% and 600 shots were 71%, there were 28 reviews for 300 shots and 23 600 shots for only applying topical anesthetic cream without sleep. Sedation may cost separately, so ask first whether it is included.
Thermage How long does the swelling and bruising last?
There were 38 out of 70 reviews (54%) that reported swelling, and 9 out of 14 cases that reported swelling subsided within a week. Meng said 17 of the 18 cases mentioned never occurred.
When do the Thermage effects become visible?
According to reviews, 23% felt the effect the day they received it, 42% within 2 weeks, and 32% within a month. There was a post saying that they could not feel the elasticity immediately after the procedure, but over time, they felt elasticity, and there were two posts that said they could not feel the elasticity for over a month.
Is it true that 600 shots produce the effect of 900 shots?
We could not find any manufacturer evidence. This expression comes from a clinic explanation, and means that the tip is enlarged to cover the same area with fewer shots. On the manufacturer's US site, there was only a statement saying that the 4.0cm² tip was up to 25% faster than the 3.0cm² tip.
How much does 300 shots of Thermage cost?
The average price of individual products (including VAT) revealed by four Gangnam clinics was approximately 1.34 million won, with a minimum of approximately 1.2 million won and a maximum of 1.53 million won. This is the price disclosed by 4 out of 16 clinics and includes the event price.
Thermage 300 shots vs 600 shots, how do you choose?
If you are worried about a small area and it is your first time, we recommend 300 shots, and if you are worried about your entire face sagging from the cheeks to the jaw line, we recommend 600 shots. If the number of shots is decided, the next thing is distribution and tips, and if the consultation does not explain where and how many shots are used, you cannot compare based on price alone. In the review, the pain level between the two shots was similar, so check in advance whether the anesthesia method and cost are included rather than the number of shots.
Sources and verification dates
- Information for medical staff on Thermage manufacturer's US site(manufacturer, confirmed 2026-09-30): Description of tip type and size, total tip 4.0cm²
- Thermage manufacturer US site safety information(manufacturer, confirmed on 2026-09-30): The specified number of pulses of the tip, disposable use, contraindications, adverse reactions, swelling and redness
- FDA 510(k) K170758 Thermage FLX System(Regulation, approved on 2017-09-22, confirmed on 2026-09-30): Indications (non-invasive treatment of wrinkles and wrinkles around the eyes)
- Peters JD et al. Thermage FLX and laser combination study, Dermatol Surg 2025 (PMID 39964075)(Confirmed 2026-09-30, abstract): 20 patients, 6-month follow-up, manufacturer support not confirmed
- Roh H et al. Comparison study of high-frequency cooling methods, Ann Dermatol 2025 (PMID 41331720)(Confirmed 2026-09-30, original text): 22 people, 8-week follow-up, Thermage is a comparative and controlled device, no conflict of interest with funding.
- Fritz M et al. Comparative study of 1 and 2 Thermage treatments, Arch Facial Plast Surg 2004 (PMID 15545529)(Confirmed 2026-10-01, abstract): 20 patients, 4-month follow-up, older equipment
- Gangnam Unni review and Babitalk review (platform review, confirmed 10-01 from 2026-09-30): Of the 4,705 reviews with Thermage in the text, 788 with the number of shots were read. The original text of the review is not cited.
- Gangnam clinic official website and Gangnam Unni, Babitalk public prices (confirmed on 2026-09-30): Clinic name not included
Editorial responsibility and relationships
DermaFocus has no advertising, contract, or affiliation with any of the manufacturers or clinics mentioned in this article, and has not received any money or sponsorship. This article is a compilation of information needed to select a procedure and does not replace a personal diagnosis or treatment plan.