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.