SEOLREIM · JOURNAL
Thermage FLX vs Potenza and RF microneedling: which should you choose for pores and sagging?
Full translation of the Korean article. Translation checked for completeness, numerical consistency and medical meaning; separate medical review of this translation is pending. Translation updated: 2026-10-28.
Thermage FLX and RF microneedling devices such as Potenza both use radiofrequency, but they cannot be assumed to be interchangeable. First decide whether you want to change pores, rough texture or indented scars, or mild skin laxity across the face. Thermage has also shown improvement in a specific pore study, and RF microneedling can also affect firmness, so it is inaccurate to say that Thermage is only for firmness and needles are only for pores. At SEOLREIM, compare plans after asking the clinic director to confirm your priorities between these concerns and the actual treatment methods.
Before focusing on the shared RF label, decide what you want to change and by how much
Enlarged-looking pores are influenced by sebum, blockage and support from the surrounding skin, while atrophic scars involve actual tissue depressions and tethering. They cannot be assessed using the same outcome measures as overall firmness concerns. Avoid claims that Thermage has no effect at all on pores. A 2023 prospective, single-arm Thai study (PMID 37210600) used Thermage FLX; 17 of 19 participants completed it, receiving two treatments to pore areas at 4-week intervals. Average pore volume was 38% below baseline 6 months after the last treatment, but there was no control group, and this localized protocol differed from routine full-face tightening. It was neither a direct comparison with Potenza nor evidence that pores had closed. Write down whether texture or overall tightening is your priority, and check whether the proposed device, tip and supporting study match that goal.
| My concern or proposed treatment | What to check at SEOLREIM | Criteria to consider when choosing |
|---|---|---|
| Cheek pores are what I notice first | How much do sebum, blockage, surrounding firmness and actual scars each contribute? | Define a goal for assessing pore appearance; do not book based solely on a lifting treatment's name |
| It looks like pores, but there are actual indentations | What are the scar depth and degree of tethering, and what can surface remodeling alone achieve? | Evaluate separate approaches for deep tethering or narrow scars; do not assume one type of RF will address everything |
| Overall tightening of the jawline and cheeks is the priority | Is the main issue skin laxity, volume loss or tissue descent? | Ask about Thermage's tightening goals and limitations; do not use pore scores as a substitute for lifting outcomes |
| I was told they can replace each other because both use RF | Is it a surface tip or needle electrodes, what are the actual mode and treatment area, and what evidence supports each goal? | Do not treat effects, recovery or treatment amounts as equivalent just because the energy has the same name |
| I was told Potenza is deeper and more precise | Why were the needles, insulation, energy, pulses and placement chosen for that area? | Depth or the presence of needles alone does not guarantee superior effectiveness or safety |
| I want to address both pores and firmness at once | What is the single-treatment plan for one main goal, why combine treatments, and what are the assessment, total cost and recovery plans? | Compare reassessment after one treatment and staged treatment, rather than automatically adding both procedures |
Definitions and how the treatments work
Thermage FLX delivers monopolar RF using a tip on the skin surface, a return pad and cooling. RF microneedling inserts needle electrodes into the skin to induce a thermal response at selected depths and distributions. The difference lies in delivery route and control, rather than a hierarchy in which needles are always deeper. Needle insulation, power, pulses, overlap and skin thickness at each site also change the thermal response. Potenza has monopolar and bipolar modes, so not all RF microneedling should be described as bipolar. Check the actual handpiece rather than assuming that a needle tip is used from the platform name alone. Explanations of mechanisms in regulatory documents do not establish a clinical winner for particular pores or scars.
Potential benefits and limitations
The pore evidence for RF microneedling also comes mainly from small observational studies. A 2024 retrospective Chinese study (PMID 38609686) reported that photographic pore grades in 22 participants fell from an average of 3.55 to 2.59 after three treatments at intervals of 1–3 months, but did not establish long-term persistence or superiority to Thermage. The findings also cannot be attributed to Potenza without checking the device name. Meanwhile, a 2024 randomized split-face study in 21 participants (PMID 38923679) observed improvements in firmness and wrinkle measures with a specific vacuum-assisted RF microneedling device, also showing the limitations of saying needle treatments affect texture alone. Do not compare pore volume, photographic grades and facial volume across different studies to calculate a winner. Complete pore closure, removal of all scars and a surgical lift are not outcomes to promise.
Who can seek a consultation and how suitability is assessed
Adults who find it difficult to prioritize pore appearance versus skin laxity can seek a consultation. Report active acne, dermatitis or infection; herpes, keloids or PIH; recent tanning, laser treatments or peels; medications and bleeding risk; pregnancy or breastfeeding; and electronic or metal implants. For very thin or hollow cheeks, first identify tissue that should be preserved. When acne is ongoing or blockage is the main problem, managing the cause may be needed before remodeling procedures. A single photograph or the phrase 'sagging pores' is not enough to assign a specific device.
Procedure, recovery and scheduling
Before booking, note the area that bothers you most, rank pores, indentations and overall tightening, and send records of previous devices, tips, dates and reactions. After examination, confirm the goal for a session, the actual method and areas, pain control, a quote including consumables, taxes, care and follow-up visits, and the assessment date. Do not convert Thermage shot counts and RF microneedling shots, passes or sessions into equivalent treatment amounts. Surface RF can cause warmth, redness and swelling; needle treatments may additionally cause pinpoint bleeding, grid marks and tiny scabs, which can last several days or longer. Set the timing and stages according to actual skin recovery and access to examination, rather than departure or photography dates. Obtain cleansing, makeup, exercise and sun-protection instructions suited to the method used.
Side effects, contraindications and symptoms requiring medical attention
For both methods, you should be informed about possible thermal injury, burns, pigment changes, scars and altered sensation. Serious complications have also been reported with RF microneedling, including infection, unwanted fat loss, disfigurement and nerve damage. The US FDA safety communication dated 2025-10-15 concerns reports involving certain uses; it does not establish incidence rates for all devices, a ban in Korea or a risk ranking against Thermage. An absence of major problems in small studies does not eliminate rare risks. Immediately report intolerable localized heat or pain during treatment. Afterward, seek medical assessment for blisters, worsening pain, pus, fever, rapidly developing depressions, or persistent changes in sensation or muscle strength.
Compare priority goals and separate assessments, rather than procedure names
| Category | Role and goals | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Pores and rough texture are the priority | Distinguish the contributions of sebum, blockage and surrounding support | Check pore appearance measures and the actual method offered; do not apply scar studies directly |
| Atrophic scars are the priority | Evaluate remodeling and separate approaches suited to depth and tethering | Do not extend Thermage pore-study findings into evidence for correcting deep scars |
| Overall skin laxity is the priority | Set goals for mild tightening and wrinkle appearance | Ask about the actual firmness plans and limitations for surface RF and needle RF |
| Both pores and laxity | Compare a single-treatment plan for the main goal with a staged plan | Without direct comparative evidence, do not conclude that treatments are equivalent, superior or necessarily combined |
Questions and answers for a medical consultation
These questions for a consultation before visiting SEOLREIM are based on the literature. They are not a clinician interview or an individual prescription. This new article is awaiting confirmation of a separate review by a medical professional.
Q. If Thermage can also help pores, does it replace Potenza?
A. The potential improvement in a particular Thermage FLX study is different from whether the two treatments are interchangeable. Choose after checking direct comparative evidence and your own pore and scar goals.
Q. Do deeper RF needles improve both pores and firmness more?
A. Depth alone cannot determine this. Target tissue, insulation, power, pulses and placement work together, and unnecessary depth and heat may add risks to surrounding tissues, including fat and nerves.
Q. Can I receive both Potenza and Thermage at SEOLREIM?
A. Thermage FLX and Silky Pore Injection were confirmed on the official menu. You need to check separately whether Potenza and particular needle tips are available and offered; the name Silky Pore Injection does not specify an RF device or formulation.
Consultation with the SEOLREIM clinic director and signature programs
SEOLREIM Clinic describes consultations and procedures performed directly by the clinic director and its principles of authentic products, correct amounts and attentive care. The official Thermage FLX menu can inform a consultation about overall firmness, and Silky Pore Injection can be a reference when explaining pore concerns, but do not treat the two menu options as the same RF procedure. Check the actual ingredients, injection method and intended treatment goals of Silky Pore Injection, and do not assume that Potenza or a particular tip is available.
Booking, languages, location and guidance for international visitors
If consulting about both pores and firmness at a dermatology clinic in Gangnam or Seoul, first organize your desired changes and reactions to previous treatments. International visitors preparing to visit a dermatology clinic near Gangnam Station or elsewhere in Korea should tell SEOLREIM their stay and departure dates and whether they can access medical care during recovery. The official guidance for international patients lists consultation support from on-site English- and Chinese-speaking staff and interpretation in 14 languages with advance booking; an appointment is required before visiting. SEOLREIM Clinic is on floor 11 of the Gangnam 8258 Building, 376 Gangnam-daero, Seoul, approximately 1 minute from Gangnam Station Exit 3. For Korean-language consultations and bookings, use the KakaoTalk, Naver Booking or telephone channels below; for consultations about an international visit, use the International consultation link. Provide your treatment interests, skin concerns, dates of your stay in Korea, preferred language and whether you need an interpreter. Before visiting, confirm actual language support, costs, booking confirmation and cancellation terms. Depending on the examination, same-day treatment may not be possible, or follow-up may be needed after you return home, so also discuss how to contact the clinic about adverse reactions and the actual scope of aftercare.
Evidence sources and related articles
Thermage FLX study of localized pore treatment (2023): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37210600/ and https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lsm.23681 ; Retrospective RF microneedling pore study in 22 participants (2024): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38609686/ ; Split-face RF microneedling firmness study (2024): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38923679/ ; FDA device description: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K170758.pdf and https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf23/K231216.pdf ; FDA safety communication on RF microneedling (2025-10-15): https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/potential-risks-certain-uses-radiofrequency-rf-microneedling-fda-safety-communication . These sources are not trials of superiority or equivalence between Thermage and Potenza. Evidence and official information checked: 2026-10-27.
Related article: Thermage FLX benefits, pain and burn risks: differences from Oligio and Ultherapy https://www.sulskin.co.kr/pages/en/product-241 / Potenza RF microneedling for acne scars: benefits, scabs and fat atrophy risks https://www.sulskin.co.kr/pages/ko/product-274 / Fraxel vs RF microneedling: which scar treatment should you choose during a trip to Seoul? Comparing recovery and results https://www.sulskin.co.kr/pages/ko/product-388 / InMode vs Thermage: which should you choose for facial fat and a sagging jawline? https://www.sulskin.co.kr/pages/ko/product-427
Authorship, review and dates
Written by: SEOLREIM Content Editor (AI-assisted writing) / Literature and image editorial review: 2026-10-27 / Medical reviewer: not assigned · Medical review not completed / Published and updated: 2026-10-27. This is general medical information and does not replace an individual diagnosis or prescription.
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