Thermage CPT vs FLX: Generations and Tips Compared
Thermage CPT and FLX at a glance
Thermage runs in two current generations. Thermage CPT uses the TG-2B console and adds Comfort Pulse Technology, a vibration feature meant to improve patient comfort. Thermage FLX uses the newer TG-3A console, adds the AccuREP impedance-sensing feature described in Solta's documentation, and introduces a larger 4.0 cm² face tip. Both deliver monopolar radiofrequency at 6.78 MHz. The FDA cleared FLX as substantially equivalent to CPT, with no new safety or effectiveness findings. For a clinic, the practical split is which console a unit is and which tips fit it. This builds on how monopolar Thermage works.
| Feature | Thermage CPT | Thermage FLX |
|---|---|---|
| Console | TG-2B | TG-3A |
| Largest face tip | 3.0 cm2 | 4.0 cm² (Total Tip) |
| Comfort feature | Comfort Pulse Technology (vibration) | Vibration retained |
| Impedance handling | Operator-set | AccuREP impedance sensing (per manufacturer) |
| Frequency | 6.78 MHz | 6.78 MHz |
| FDA basis | Predicate for FLX | Substantially equivalent to CPT |
Thermage CPT (TG-2B console)
Thermage CPT is the generation built around the TG-2B console. Its defining addition over the earlier ThermaCool systems is Comfort Pulse Technology, which combines gentle vibration with the cooling cycle to make treatment more tolerable; the vibration runs at selectable levels on the larger handpieces and is not used on the small eye tip. CPT tips span the range from the 0.25 cm² eye tip to the 16.0 cm² body tip, with a 3.0 cm² tip as the largest face option. Clinics buying CPT consumables can source Thermage CPT tips in the REP counts that match their case mix.
Thermage FLX (TG-3A console)
Thermage FLX is the later generation on the TG-3A console. It keeps the monopolar RF principle and the vibration comfort feature and adds two changes a clinic will notice. The first is the 4.0 cm² Total Tip, a larger face tip than any CPT offered, which the manufacturer positions as covering area faster. The second is AccuREP, an impedance-sensing feature that Solta describes as adjusting the energy per shot to the tissue; the FDA clearance refers to radiofrequency tuning across a range of impedances but does not use the AccuREP name. FLX consumables, including the 4.0 cm² tip, are sourced as Thermage FLX tips.
One point to keep straight: the FDA cleared FLX by finding it substantially equivalent to CPT, with no new issues of safety or effectiveness. Claims that FLX is faster or more comfortable than CPT are manufacturer positioning, not findings the clearance validated.
CPT and FLX tips are not interchangeable
The generations matter most at the consumable level. CPT and FLX tips are registered as separate devices in the FDA database, attach to different handpieces, and include the FLX-only 4.0 cm² tip with no CPT equivalent. No Solta document states that the two tip lines cross between consoles, and the separate registrations and handpieces indicate they do not. Treat tips as generation-specific: match the tip to the exact console and handpiece, and confirm with the supplier before ordering. Professionally sourced tips should be matched to the generation in use. Compatibility is based on industry-standard usage and clinical experience, so the full tip lineup and the lockout are worth reviewing in the Thermage treatment tips guide. Equipment buyers can compare the two Thermage consoles.
Which claims are confirmed and which are marketing
The console models, the 6.78 MHz frequency, the tip surface areas, and the fact that FLX is predicated on CPT are confirmed in FDA records. The AccuREP name, the "25 percent faster" treatment claim, and the "33 percent larger tip" figure come from Solta and clinic marketing; they are reasonable descriptions of the hardware but are not validated efficacy findings. When comparing a CPT and an FLX unit for purchase, the dependable differences are the console, the available tip sizes, and the per-generation tip supply, rather than the comparative speed or comfort claims.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Thermage CPT and FLX?
CPT runs on the TG-2B console; FLX runs on the newer TG-3A console, adds the AccuREP impedance-sensing feature, and offers a larger 4.0 cm² face tip. Both deliver monopolar RF at 6.78 MHz.
Can FLX tips run on a CPT system?
Treat the tips as generation-specific. CPT and FLX tips are registered separately and use different handpieces, and the 4.0 cm² tip is FLX only. Confirm the tip against the exact console before ordering.
Is FLX faster than CPT?
The larger 4.0 cm² tip and a faster-treatment claim are manufacturer positioning. The FDA cleared FLX as substantially equivalent to CPT, so speed is not a validated clearance finding.
What console does each generation use?
Thermage CPT uses the TG-2B console; Thermage FLX uses the TG-3A console. The console is the most reliable way to tell which generation a unit is.
Is FLX the fifth generation of Thermage?
FLX is the current generation and is sometimes marketed as the fifth in the line that began with ThermaCool. The dependable identifier is the TG-3A console rather than a generation number.
