Treatments · Encino
Forma
Non-Surgical RF Skin Tightening for Smoother, Firmer Skin
Book Your Forma Consultation
Forma is a comfortable, non-surgical skin tightening treatment that uses controlled radiofrequency heat to support collagen remodeling and improve the appearance of skin laxity, fine lines, and uneven texture.
Safe for all skin types and requiring no downtime, Forma can be customized for the face, neck, and body to support skin that appears firmer, smoother, and more resilient.
I — How It Works
How Does Forma Work?
Forma delivers bipolar radiofrequency energy into the dermal and subdermal layers of the skin, heating tissue evenly and holding it at a controlled therapeutic temperature (typically the low-to-mid 40s, in degrees Celsius) for a sustained stretch of several minutes, rather than a quick, high-intensity burst.
That heat causes two distinct things to happen. The first is immediate and mechanical: heat loosens some of the internal bonds holding collagen’s triple-helix structure together, so existing fibers unwind slightly and shorten, tightening the tissue right away. This is part of why skin can look a little firmer directly after a session.
The second effect takes longer, and it’s the one that produces lasting change. Controlled heat like this is a mild, deliberate form of thermal stress, and the body responds to it the way it responds to minor tissue injury elsewhere: by switching on its natural repair process. Research on radiofrequency treatments has linked this response to a rise in fibroblast growth factor, a signaling molecule that helps drive both new collagen formation (neocollagenesis) and new blood vessel growth in the treated tissue over the following weeks.
Because that rebuilding process unfolds gradually as skin remodels, results from Forma tend to build progressively across a series of sessions, rather than appearing all at once after a single treatment.
Forma at Vessel
II — Results
Forma Before and After
Forma Face & Neck
Forma Plus (Body)
Intelligent Temperature Control
Forma continuously monitors the skin’s temperature and automatically adjusts its energy to maintain the selected therapeutic range. Built-in sensors read the skin’s temperature, impedance, and contact 10 times per second, supporting consistent heating while helping prevent areas from being overtreated or undertreated.
The handpiece moves continuously across the skin, creating a warm, relaxing experience similar to the sensation of a hot stone massage.
Forma | Face and Neck
Forma is designed for smaller and more delicate treatment areas, including:
Forehead and brow area | Upper and lower eye area | Cheeks | Around the mouth | Jawline and jowls | Under the chin | Neck |
Forma Plus | Body
Forma Plus has a larger treatment surface designed for broader areas of the body, including:
Abdomen | Arms | Thighs | Buttocks | Knees | Other areas affected by laxity or crepey texture
A Forma treatment in progress at Vessel.
IV — The Vessel Approach
What Makes Forma at Vessel Different?
At Vessel, we prioritize effective treatment time, meaning the time your skin is maintained at the optimal temperature, rather than simply counting the overall length of the appointment. Our Forma sessions are intentionally thorough and often allow up to twice the treatment time commonly offered elsewhere, ensuring each area is treated carefully and never rushed.
Benefits of Forma
- Stimulates new collagen and elastin
- Contracts and remodels existing collagen fibers
- Supports firmer, tighter-looking skin
- Improves the appearance of mild skin laxity
- Softens the appearance of fine lines
- Refines uneven or crepey texture
- Supports smoother, more resilient skin
- Temporarily improves local circulation, and may ease minor muscle tension, aches, or stiffness
- Comfortable and noninvasive, safe for all skin types
- No needles, surgery, scars, or downtime
Concerns Forma Can Address
- Mild to moderate skin laxity
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Crepey skin
- Uneven or rough texture
- Loss of firmness
- Delicate skin around the eyes
- Jawline and neck laxity
- Age-related changes in skin quality
Forma FAQ
Vessel periodically offers a first-time client rate on Forma RF.
Pricing depends on the treatment area and plan built for you at consultation, and can vary with current promotional offers. Vessel also offers payment plans. See current Forma pricing, or reach out for exact, up-to-date pricing.
Forma uses radiofrequency heat alone, at the skin’s surface and just beneath it, to contract and stimulate collagen with no needles and no downtime, closer to a deeply relaxing facial. Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency delivered deeper beneath the skin, making it the better fit for more pronounced laxity, texture, or scarring. Many clients use them together as a combined protocol.
Forma is designed to be comfortable without numbing. The handpiece delivers controlled, monitored warmth similar to a hot stone massage, and your provider adjusts the temperature and pacing throughout your session.
Some clients notice the skin looks more refreshed right after treatment, while continued improvement develops gradually as new collagen is produced. The number and timing of sessions depends on your skin condition, treatment area, and goals, and your provider builds a personalized plan rather than a one-size-fits-all series.
Yes. The controlled heat from Forma’s radiofrequency energy triggers your skin’s natural repair response, which research has linked to a rise in fibroblast growth factor, a signaling molecule that helps drive new collagen formation and new blood vessel growth in the treated area. This is part of why Forma’s results build gradually over the weeks following treatment, rather than appearing all at once.
Yes. Forma’s radiofrequency energy heats tissue directly rather than targeting pigment the way lasers or IPL do, which is why it’s considered appropriate across all Fitzpatrick skin types.
Yes, Forma and Morpheus8 are often paired for a fuller skin-remodeling protocol: Forma’s surface-level heating alongside Morpheus8’s deeper microneedling and RF. Your provider can build a combined plan based on your goals during consultation.
Forma works well across a wide range of skin types and concerns, from early laxity to overall texture and tone. Every treatment at Vessel is performed personally by a licensed RN, and your consultation includes a hands-on assessment so your provider can confirm the right settings and treatment plan for your goals.
Yes, Forma is a leading non-surgical skin tightening treatment, using radiofrequency energy to stimulate your own collagen and contract existing tissue with no needles, incisions, or downtime. Your provider will confirm it’s the right fit for your goals, skin, and anatomy at your consultation.
Sources cited above: peer-reviewed Forma study · RF growth factor research (Lasers in Medical Science, 2017) · InMode clinical research
Refine and Strengthen Your Skin
At Vessel, every Forma treatment is thoughtfully customized to your anatomy, skin concerns, and goals to support a natural, balanced, and beautifully refined result with no downtime.