At Hideaway Spa, we use medical-grade thermolysis (our device is a 'Skin Classic') for safe, targeted treatment of minor epidermal and superficial vascular lesions.
Thermolysis is a high-frequency electrosurgical technique that delivers controlled heat through a fine probe to cauterize tissue. It's not a laser, instead it uses radio-frequency electrical energy to produce rapid, precise heating of a tiny area. The result: destruction or coagulation of unwanted superficial tissue with minimal trauma to surrounding skin.
Why choose thermolysis? It's fast, precise, low-downtime for most lesions, effective on both pigmented and vascular spots, and suitable for small, delicate areas (eyelids, neck, face, chest) as well as all skin tones.
Small, soft, benign flaps of skin often found on the neck, underarms, eyelids, and folds. We don't actually remove the skin tag, thermolysis rapidly dehydrates the skin tag, after treatment it naturally falls off after a few days.
Typical session: 5-20 seconds per tag depending on size.
Small bright red vascular spots caused by clustered blood vessels. Thermolysis coagulates the vessels, essentially making it instantly boil away.
Typical session: A matter of seconds, you visually see it 'pop' away.
Common, benign, dark papules typically appearing on darker skin tones. Thermolysis is an excellent option when performed appropriately to avoid hypopigmentation.
Typical session: 5-30 seconds per spot depending on size.
Enlarged sebaceous glands that look like small, soft bumps often on the forehead and cheeks. Thermolysis collapses the glandular tissue and reduces the bump.
Typical session: 5-20 seconds per bump depending on size.
Tiny white keratin-filled cysts that can be safely extracted and cauterized using thermolysis for a clean finish.
Typical session:Around 5-10 seconds per spot
Small visible blood vessels on the face that can be coagulated with precise thermolysis in some cases; vascular lasers may sometimes be preferable depending on size and depth.
Typical session:Variable depending on size and length but usually a matter of a few seconds per milimetre.
Small benign rough patches, including some seborrheic or senile keratoses, can be treated. Larger or suspicious lesions may require medical assessment first.
Typical session: 5-30 seconds per spot depending on size.
Soft yellowish bumps, often appearing around the eyelids. Can be safely minimized or removed with thermolysis. Multiple sessions may be necessary for overly large deposits.
Typical session: 10-20 seconds per deposit depending on size
Dark spots or uneven pigmentation caused by sun exposure, hormones, acne, or inflammation. Superficial sun spots can often be safely treated with thermolysis, while deeper or diffused pigment (such as melasma or post-inflammatory marks) is better corrected through microchanneling or targeted facial treatments.
Typical session: Spot-by-spot evaluation - Most clear after one session, deeper discoloration often requires an additional treatment.
Thermolysis can be effective for filling in pitted scars, multiple treatments will typically be necessary for full results. Smaller marks can also be effectively treated via microchanneling.
Thermolysis uses a handpiece connected to a high-frequency generator. When the probe tip briefly touches the lesion, the electrical energy produces a micro-spark and rapid localized heating. This heat causes the targeted tissue to coagulate, dehydrating or removing the imperfection. Because the probe is extremely small and the contact time is brief, surrounding tissue experiences minimal collateral heat. In simple terms, a precision-tipped probe is momentarily superheated, causing the blemish to dry or vaporize so your skin can naturally heal and absorb the treated area.
Thermolysis, also referred to as high-frequency or radiofrequency (RF) electrodessication, operates within the ISM-designated radiofrequency bands-most commonly around 13.56 MHz or 27.12 MHz (both harmonic multiples of 6.78 MHz). The specific frequency varies by manufacturer but remains within this medically recognized range.
When the active electrode probe briefly contacts the skin, the oscillating RF current induces ionic agitation within intracellular and extracellular fluids. This agitation generates resistive (Joule) heating confined to the target tissue.
The resulting localized temperature rise (typically 60 – 100 °C) causes protein denaturation and cellular coagulation, effectively desiccating or carbonizing the lesion. Each pulse lasts only a few milliseconds, producing a controlled, superficial coagulative effect. By targeting the lesion with sub-millimeter precision, lateral thermal diffusion is minimized, protecting surrounding dermis. The treated tissue then naturally desquamates within several days as the epidermis regenerates.
This modality differs from electrosurgery or laser ablation, as it involves no cutting electrode and no photothermal vaporization. Instead, it relies solely on resistive heating from high-frequency alternating current. Thermolysis (electrodessication) is a well-documented, predictable technique for the cosmetic treatment of benign epidermal irregularities, including skin tags, cherry angiomas, sebaceous hyperplasia, milia, and other superficial lesions.
For related skin rejuvenation treatments, see our Services Page for additional insights.
We always start with a consultation and assessment. Each lesion is treated quickly - often a matter of seconds per spot. For multiple lesions we work systematically to keep results even and comfortable.
Good candidates: Most adults with benign superficial lesions (skin tags, cherry angiomas, milia, small sebaceous lumps, etc) seeking a quick in-office treatment.
Contraindications / cautions: active infection at the site, uncontrolled diabetes affecting healing, anticoagulant medications that increase bleeding risk, pregnancy for cosmetic elective treatments (discuss first), history of keloid scarring or poor wound healing - individual assessment required.
Thermolysis is low-risk when performed by a trained provider, but possible side effects include temporary redness, crusting, hypo- or hyper-pigmentation (especially in darker skin tones), and, rarely, scarring. Some lesions may require more than one treatment for complete removal. Suspicious or changing lesions will be referred to a physician for biopsy if needed.
Prices can either be by the number of imperfections or by time.
If unsure what you'll need when booking online, select a single spot and add a small comment, we can then determine further during your initial consult.
Booking can be done through our Booking Site - You may also browse our other services through our Services Page
How long does a treatment take?
A full answer depends on the treatment being performed, a cherry angioma may literally take 3 seconds while an extra large keratosis may take a couple minutes. If you scroll up we have a video showing a Scar rejuvenation under Pitted Scars as well as another video under pricing showing how quickly skin tags and keratosis are treated.
Does it hurt?
Despite many practitioners claiming it's painless, it's not entirely. Depending on the location being treated it may feel like a small needle being pressed against your skin, while in other spots you will briefly feel a burning sensation. Fortunately, these sensations are typically only felt while the probe is on and in contact with your skin; it should immediately dissipate once the probe is lifted.
Can thermolysis treat moles?
We do not treat moles at the spa — any mole that is changing, bleeding, irregular, or medically questionable must be evaluated by a doctor or dermatologist. While the thermolysis device is capable of cauterizing tissue, moles fall outside our cosmetic scope of practice for safety, insurance, and medical ethics reasons. Only certain benign, superficial epidermal lesions (such as skin tags, sebaceous hyperplasia, etc) may be treated after visual assessment.
How many sessions will I need?
Many lesions are resolved in a single session. Larger or vascular lesions sometimes need follow-up treatments spaced several weeks apart.
Will it leave a scar?
When performed correctly, scarring is uncommon or very minimal for small superficial lesions. The biggest risks for scarring are deep or aggressive removal and picking at the area during healing, or ignoring prescribed aftercare.
What other names might this treatment be called?
Alternative names commonly used by providers include: Thermolysis, electrodessication, electrosurgery, radiofrequency cautery, electrocoagulation, high-frequency cautery (HF cautery), cosmetic cauterization, and radiofrequency skin revision. If you see any of these terms, they often refer to similar high-frequency cautery techniques.
Is this similar to other RF thermolysis devices?
Yes - professional high-frequency (radiofrequency) electrodessication devices such as Lamprobe, Skin Classic, ThermoClear, SkinSheer, SIIT Pro, Perfect Touch, Skin Sheek, VascuTouch, Lamskin, and ThermoLo all operate on the same principle. They are designed to safely remove minor skin irregularities like skin tags, cherry angiomas, milia, and sebaceous hyperplasia. I personally use the Skin Classic system, but the technology and expected results are comparable across these devices. Each uses localized RF energy to precisely coagulate and desiccate the lesion while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
Is Hideaway Spa certified, insured, and accredited?
Yes - all treatments are performed by a certified professional. Hideaway Spa is fully insured for all cosmetic procedures and is a proud accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, ensuring a safe, professional, and trustworthy experience for every client. Learn more on our About page
Skin tag directly on eyelid and keratosis directly under the treated
A deep cyst scar filled in over multiple treatments
Broken capillaries (telangiectasia) treated around a nostril
We ask for informed consent prior to treatment and often request before/after photos for our records and marketing. You may decline public sharing.
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