the present invention improves the cosmetic appearance of skin by controllably heating a superficial layer of skin thereby inducing acute tissue contraction or shrinkage and a wound response leading to the production of biomolecules , all of which result in improved cosmesis . the invention incorporates a source of radiofrequency electrical energy coupled to coil , with requisite impedance matching network , thereby resulting in the production of an alternating magnetic field . when tissue is brought into proximity of the alternating magnetic field , inductive heating of the tissue results as a consequence of either or both of dipole formation and oscillation , and eddy current formation . optionally , cooling is provided to remove heat from the coil , the source of radiofrequency electrical energy , or the surface of the skin alone or in combination . the invention exhibits the significant benefits of , among other things , being non - invasive , not requiring electrical contact with the body of the subject , and providing controllable heating only to a thin layer of tissue .