A return pad (600a-600e,700,800) for use with an electrosurgical system is disclosed. The return pad includes a conductive layer (610,710,810), a contact layer (615,715,815) configured to engage a patients skin and an optional intermediate layer (620,820) disposed between the conductive layer and the contact layer. The intermediate layer is adapted to distribute energy. The pad also comprises a cooling section (635,636,637,638,735,835) configured to reduce the temperature of at least one of the contact layer and the conductive layer.