Popular in Korea. Now in Orange County.
XTherma Skin Tightening in Anaheim & Orange County
XTherma is a high-frequency monopolar radiofrequency treatment that heats the dermis to rebuild collagen while seven cryogen cooling pulses per shot hold the skin surface cold. Popular in Korea and now at Neoderma in Anaheim, it treats laxity in the face, neck, and body with no required downtime. Founding pricing: full face $895 (regularly $1,200).
Medically reviewed by Sal Nadkarni, DO · Last updated August 10, 2026
Founding-patient pricing for our first 20 XTherma patients — full face $895 (reg. $1,200), face + neck $995 (reg. $1,500). Once 20 are booked, this pricing closes.
See XTherma at Neoderma
A closer look at the device, the applicators, and how a treatment actually runs in our Anaheim office.
What is XTherma, and how does it work?
XTherma pairs high-frequency monopolar radiofrequency — 6.78 MHz at 400W — with an integrated cryogen cooling system, the first device in the U.S. to combine the two. The RF energy delivers controlled heat into the dermis, where it triggers your body's own collagen and elastin remodeling. Meanwhile, Smart Temperature Cooling sprays seven cryogen cooling pulses with every single shot— two before the energy fires, three alongside it, and two after — while a thermal sensor monitors your skin's surface temperature continuously.
What makes it intelligent: real-time impedance monitoringassesses how your tissue is responding during treatment, guiding consistent RF energy delivery for controlled heating and precise collagen remodeling. Your skin isn't generic — and with XTherma, the energy isn't either.
Is XTherma a fat-reduction treatment?
No. XTherma's protocols are built around dermal heating for collagen remodeling — reducing volume isn't the goal and isn't what we're treating you for. The energy level, the number of passes, and the cooling level are all set for skin quality rather than fat.
We'll be straight about the rest: as with every monopolar radiofrequency device, fat atrophy causing a dent or contour irregularity is a rare but documented risk. That's precisely why technique matters — we start from your skin thickness, treat at conservative levels, keep the applicator moving, ask you about the heat throughout, and photograph every area before and after. It is reviewed with you at consultation and disclosed in the consent form you sign.
What areas does XTherma treat?
XTherma is for skin that has started to soften and slide — the early-to-moderate laxity that isn't ready for (or doesn't want) surgery. Three interchangeable applicators let us treat the delicate eye area, the face, and the body:
- ✓Fine lines and crepiness around the eyes
- ✓Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
- ✓Lines around the mouth
- ✓Jowls and blurring jawline
- ✓Sagging or crepey cheeks
- ✓Loose skin under the chin and neck
- ✓Loose or crepey skin on the arms
- ✓Submental area (under the chin)
- ✓Abdomen, flanks, thighs, and knees after weight loss
Three applicators, three scales of treatment
| Applicator | Size | Where we use it |
|---|---|---|
| Eye tip | 0.25 cm² | The delicate periorbital area — fine lines and crepiness around the eyes |
| Face tip | 5.0 cm² | Cheeks, nasolabial folds, around the mouth, jawline, jowls, and neck |
| Body tip | 20.0 cm² | Arms, abdomen, thighs, and knees — with a continuous glide mode for larger areas |
The body applicator solves a problem that frustrates a lot of patients: skin that stayed loose after weight loss. Crepey upper arms aren't a fat problem, so fat-focused treatments can't fix them — they're a collagen problem, which is exactly what XTherma is built to address.
Built for GLP-1 patients
Lost the weight. Kept the loose skin.
GLP-1 medications like semaglutide work — but they take facial volume with them, and the skin doesn't snap back. That's the problem people mean when they say “Ozempic face”: a face that reads gaunt and loose at the same time. XTherma works on the second half of that — rebuilding collagen so skin that lost its underlying support gains firmer structure of its own. If you've also lost facial volume, we'll talk at your consultation about whether filler or a biostimulator belongs alongside it.
Face, jawline, and neck — and with our 20 cm² body applicator, the arms and abdomen that stayed loose after the weight came off. Loose skin after major weight loss isn't a fat problem, so treatments aimed at fat can't solve it.
Talk to us about your skinRead: restoring volume lost to GLP-1
How many sessions will I need?
XTherma is designed to deliver results from a single session, with collagen continuing to rebuild for two to three months afterward — manufacturer testing at Gachon University Gil Hospital measured visible collagen change in as little as 30 days. A typical plan:
| Goal | Typical plan |
|---|---|
| Early laxity / prevention | 1 session, then annually to maintain |
| Moderate laxity | 1–2 sessions, spaced about 3 months apart |
| Maximizing collagen response | Add BENEV exosomes immediately after each session |
Your exact plan is set at your consultation — skin thickness, degree of laxity, and your goals all factor in.
How much does XTherma cost in Anaheim?
Regular XTherma pricing at Neoderma is $1,200 for the full face and $1,500 for face + neck — and during our founding-patient launch, the first 20 patients receive:
| Treatment | Founding price | Regular price |
|---|---|---|
| Full face | $895 | $1,200 |
| Face + neck | $995 | $1,500 |
| Body areas (arms, abdomen, thighs) | quoted at consultation | Varies by area size |
| BENEV exosome add-on (optional) | starts at $250 | — |
For context, national chains offering XTherma charge around $950–$1,200 per session for comparable areas. Founding pricing is per treatment and can't be combined with other offers.
Financing available through Cherry and CareCredit — split your treatment into flexible monthly payments. Learn more →
Does XTherma hurt? Is there downtime?
This is where XTherma separates itself from older RF treatments that could run uncomfortably hot. Each shot sandwiches the RF pulse between cryogen cooling — most patients describe warm pulses with a cool spray between them, and no numbing injections are needed. Afterward you may look lightly flushed for a short time, but makeup, work, exercise, and dinner plans are all fine the same day. No needles, no surgery, no recovery window.
Why pair XTherma with BENEV exosomes?
XTherma opens the door; exosomes are what walks through it. Applied immediately after your session — while skin is most receptive — BENEV's Exosome Regenerative Complex and Soothing Gel Mask support the collagen response your treatment just triggered. In BENEV's reported testing, exosome signaling increased collagen production by up to 300% and fibroblast production by up to 180%. The add-on is optional and starts at $250; your provider will recommend a protocol at your visit.
Collagen and fibroblast figures are reported by BENEV from manufacturer testing, not outcomes measured at Neoderma. Individual results vary.
XTherma vs. Thermage, Ultherapy & XERF
All four tighten skin, but they do it at different depths — and depth is what decides whether you keep your facial volume. Here is the honest comparison, including where the others are stronger.
| XTherma | Thermage FLX | Ultherapy | XERF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | High-frequency monopolar RF, 6.78 MHz / 400W | Monopolar RF, 6.78 MHz | Micro-focused ultrasound (not RF) | Dual-frequency monopolar RF, 6.78 + 2 MHz |
| Where the energy goes | Dermis and the fibrous network beneath it | Dermis plus fibrous septae inside the fat layer | Through fat to the SMAS (1.5 / 3.0 / 4.5 mm) | 2 MHz passes through fat to reach the SMAS |
| Cooling | 7 cryogen pulses per shot, thermal sensor | Cooling at the contact tip | None (focused ultrasound) | Contact cooling |
| Comfort | More comfortable than traditional RF | Can run hot | Often the least comfortable of the four | Comparable to Thermage |
| Best suited to | Early-to-moderate laxity where volume must be preserved | Early laxity, texture, pores | Moderate-to-severe sagging needing a deep lift | Structural lifting via the SMAS |
Why we prefer XTherma for collagen rebuilding
Collagen rebuilding depends on getting the dermis hot enough, long enough, without hurting the skin on the way in. That's a thermal-control problem, and it's where XTherma is built differently: cooling is integrated into every single pulse rather than applied between passes. Seven cryogen bursts fire around each shot — two before the energy, three alongside it, two after — holding the skin surface near 10–15°C while the dermis is driven past 55°C, the range where collagen contracts and remodeling begins.
The safeguards matter just as much. The tip shuts off automatically at 45°C, the device won't fire unless the applicator is making proper contact with your skin, and it won't fire at all without the return pad attached. Impedance is matched to your tissue at the first shot and re-checked when the tip changes. Every tip is single-use, and the machine physically refuses to fire once its shot count is spent.
We'll say the honest part too: if you have significant sagging and want maximum lift, Ultherapy reaches deeper than XTherma can. Most of our patients aren't looking for a surgical-depth lift — they want firmer, better-quality skin from a comfortable treatment they can walk out of. That's what we brought XTherma in to do.
XTherma + ONDA: face and body together
XTherma pairs naturally with ONDA Coolwaves, because the two solve different halves of the same problem. ONDA is our fat-and-cellulite treatment; XTherma is our collagen-and-firmness treatment. Reduce a stubborn area with ONDA, then firm the skin that's left with XTherma — a combination that's especially effective on the abdomen and arms after weight loss. Your provider will sequence the two at your consultation.
XTherma is an FDA 510(k)-cleared device (K232992), designed and manufactured in Korea by Tentech and distributed in the U.S. by BENEV. Thermage, Ultherapy, and XERF are trademarks of their respective manufacturers; comparisons are based on each manufacturer's published specifications and are provided for general information. Suitability for any device is determined at consultation.
Straight talk: XTherma's FDA clearance and off-label use
XTherma is an FDA 510(k)-cleared medical device (K232992). Its clearance reads: “indicated for use in dermatologic and general surgical procedures for electrocoagulation and hemostasis.” Using it the way we do — cosmetically, to tighten skin and stimulate collagen — falls outside that specific wording, which makes it an off-label use.
Here's what that does and doesn't mean. Off-label use is legal and routine across medicine: once a device is cleared, a licensed physician may use it for another purpose when their medical judgment supports it. It does notmean the device is experimental, unapproved, or unregulated — XTherma is a cleared medical device, built and marketed by its manufacturer for exactly this kind of treatment. What it does mean is that the FDA hasn't separately evaluated it for this cosmetic purpose, so the judgment to recommend it rests with our medical team rather than with a clearance certificate.
Most energy-based aesthetic treatments involve some off-label application, and most practices never mention it. We'd rather you hear it from us, understand it, and ask questions — which is why it's written here, and why it's disclosed in the consent form you'll read and sign before treatment.
The device: XTherma by Tentech
The world's first high-frequency RF and cryogen combination therapy device — designed and manufactured in Korea by Tentech, distributed in the U.S. by BENEV, FDA 510(k) cleared, and now in our Anaheim treatment room.
Why get XTherma at Neoderma?
We tried it on ourselves first — before XTherma touched a single patient, our own Melissa Moore, RN went under the handpiece, and her results are on this page. Neoderma has been Anaheim's medical skin clinic since 2001, and XTherma extends the same Korea-forward philosophy behind our K-BioGlow and ONDA programs: designed and manufactured in Korea, where it's one of the most popular devices for youthful skin. Every treatment is performed by our medical team, with a plan set at your consultation.
XTherma before & after: what three months looks like
Collagen doesn't rebuild overnight. XTherma's manufacturer reports that optimal results develop gradually over four to twelve weeks, so most of these pairs are shot at the three-month mark. Watch the jawline and the line under the chin.
Clinical photographs courtesy of XTherma / Tentech, supplied by BENEV. These are not Neoderma patients. Individual results vary, and a consultation determines whether you are a candidate.
XTherma FAQ
Is XTherma FDA cleared?
Yes — and it is worth understanding exactly what that clearance covers. XTherma is FDA 510(k) cleared (K232992) for use in dermatologic and general surgical procedures for electrocoagulation and hemostasis. Using it for cosmetic skin tightening and collagen remodeling is an off-label use, which we explain in full below and disclose in the consent form you sign. XTherma is manufactured in Korea by Tentech and distributed in the U.S. by BENEV.
What does it mean that XTherma is used off-label?
The FDA clears a device for specific stated uses. XTherma's clearance covers electrocoagulation and hemostasis — so using it cosmetically, to tighten skin and stimulate collagen, falls outside that specific wording and is therefore off-label. Off-label use is legal, and it is routine in medicine: once a device is cleared, a licensed physician may use it for another purpose when their medical judgment supports it. It does not mean the device is experimental, unapproved, or unregulated — XTherma is a cleared medical device, and cosmetic tightening is what it is designed and marketed by its manufacturer to do. What it does mean is that the FDA has not separately evaluated it for this cosmetic purpose, so the responsibility for recommending it sits with our medical team. We would rather tell you that plainly than bury it. Ask us anything about it at your consultation.
Does XTherma hurt?
Most patients describe it as warm pulses with a cool spray between them — more comfortable than traditional RF. XTherma's Smart Temperature Cooling fires seven cryogen cooling pulses with every single shot: two before the RF energy, three alongside it, and two after, while a thermal sensor monitors your skin the whole time. No numbing injections are needed.
Will XTherma make my face look thinner or hollow?
XTherma is a skin-tightening treatment, not a fat-reduction treatment — reducing volume is never the goal, and our protocols are built around dermal heating for collagen remodeling. As with any monopolar radiofrequency device, fat atrophy causing a dent or contour irregularity is a rare but documented risk. We treat at conservative settings, check in with you about the heat throughout, photograph every area before and after, and review this with you at consultation. It is also disclosed in the consent form you sign.
How soon will I see results, and how long do they last?
Some firming is often visible early, and results build for two to three months as new collagen forms — manufacturer testing measured visible collagen change in as little as 30 days. Collagen remodeling is long-lasting; many patients treat once and return annually to maintain, though your provider will tailor a plan at your consultation.
How much does XTherma cost in Anaheim?
During our founding-patient launch, a full-face XTherma session is $895 (regularly $1,200) and face + neck is $995 (regularly $1,500), limited to our first 20 patients. Body areas such as the arms, abdomen, and thighs are quoted at consultation based on the size of the area. An optional BENEV exosome add-on starts at $250. Financing is available through Cherry and CareCredit.
What are the side effects and risks of XTherma?
Common and expected: redness like a mild sunburn, mild swelling, warmth in the area for several hours, and tenderness to the touch — most of this settles the same day. Less common but documented: blistering, burns, prolonged swelling, changes in skin pigment, surface irregularities, and fat atrophy causing a dent or contour irregularity. Serious effects are uncommon when protocols are followed, and we treat conservatively, keep the applicator moving, and monitor your comfort throughout. All risks are reviewed at consultation and disclosed in the consent form you sign.
Who is not a candidate for XTherma?
XTherma is not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker or defibrillator, have metal implants in the treatment area, or have an active skin infection, open wound, or inflamed acne where we would treat. We also review recent fillers or threads in the area, a history of keloid scarring, uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune conditions, recent isotretinoin use, and any implanted metal near the treatment site. Suitability is confirmed at your consultation with our medical team.
What's the difference between XTherma, Thermage, Ultherapy, and XERF?
They differ in how energy is delivered and how the skin is protected while it is. XTherma is high-frequency monopolar RF at 6.78 MHz with cryogen cooling built into every pulse — seven cooling bursts per shot hold the skin surface at roughly 10–15°C while the dermis is heated for collagen remodeling. Thermage is also monopolar RF at 6.78 MHz but cools at the contact tip. Ultherapy is micro-focused ultrasound rather than RF, and reaches the deeper SMAS layer, which makes it stronger for significant sagging — though it is generally the least comfortable of the group. XERF is dual-frequency monopolar RF. We chose XTherma for collagen rebuilding because of the cooling architecture and its safety interlocks, not because it reaches deepest.
Can XTherma be combined with ONDA body contouring?
Yes, and they complement each other well. ONDA Coolwaves is our fat-and-cellulite treatment; XTherma is our collagen-and-firmness treatment. Reducing an area with ONDA and then firming the skin with XTherma works especially well on the abdomen and arms after weight loss. Your provider will sequence the two at your consultation.
Is there any downtime after XTherma?
There is no required downtime — makeup, work, exercise, and dinner plans are all fine the same day. Expect redness like a mild sunburn, mild swelling, and warmth in the treated area for several hours, which is normal and settles on its own.
Related Treatments
ONDA Body Contouring →
Coolwaves microwave body contouring for fat, cellulite, and skin laxity — crafted in Italy, popular in Korea.
RF Microneedling →
Secret RF fractional microneedling for texture, acne scars, and pore refinement.
Korean Skin Care →
K-BioGlow, Rejuran, and the Korean-inspired facials that built our glow philosophy.