Thermage vs Ultherapy: Candidates, Procedures & More

Results develop over 2–3 months and can last up to a year or more with maintenance. Treatments take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the area, and as far 超声刀 英文 as pain goes, most experts agree they aren’t a walk in the park, but manageable. “Both are uncomfortable, but in my experience, Ultherapy is more so,” says Dr. Forman Taub.
ULFIT works by delivering targeted bursts of energy in three layers of the skin, which in turn makes the skin contract, which results in the production of collagen. The procedure tightens and lifts your skin which creates smoother, more youthful looking skin. If you’re looking for superficial skin smoothing, Thermage can provide some mild tightening effects. However, if you want true lifting, deeper collagen remodeling, and longer-lasting results, Ultherapy is hands down the better option. Delivers controlled heat energy into the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating the production of new collagen and tightening existing collagen fibers.

A 2019 study showed that radiofrequency systems like Thermage are safe for all skin tones and types. Thermage uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to stimulate new collagen production in the dermis. This creates a thermal reaction that instantly tightens existing collagen fibers while encouraging new ones to develop over time.
It’s FDA-approved for facial and body tightening, typically completed in a single session with minimal discomfort. Ultherapy and Thermage are two popular non-invasive skin tightening treatment options that offer remarkable results. Both treatments utilize advanced technology to stimulate collagen production and improve skin firmness and elasticity. However, there are key differences between Ultherapy and Thermage to consider when choosing the right option for skin tightening. In this blog, we’ll explore the difference between Ultherapy and Thermage to help you make an informed decision.
Thermage is also a viable treatment option for light to moderate cellulite. Both Thermage and Ultherapy are designed to tighten and rejuvenate the skin, but they work in different ways and target different depths of the skin. Below, we’ll take a detailed look at how each procedure works, what it treats, and what patients can expect from the treatment process. At Beautifi, we partner with a variety of doctors and clinics that can support you with your Thermage® and Ultherapy® journeys.

Patients are increasingly seeking results and they want it with minimal downtime, zero incisions, and the kind of subtlety that doesn’t invite too many questions. When you get Ultherapy, a gel is applied similar to when undergoing an ultrasound while pregnant. The device is then placed on the target site while the provider sees inside the skin via a specialized viewer. Bay Aesthetics Clinic and Medispa is a doctor-led clinic located in the Marina Bay Financial Centre that delivers medical aesthetics and medispa treatments in a calm, professional setting. Both Ultherapy and Thermage are noninvasive treatments that require limited downtime.
The skin is composed of epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, each with distinct functions. The epidermis is the surface of the skin that serves as a protective barrier. The dermis, situated beneath the epidermis, contains collagen and elastin fibres.

Building on this proven RF principle, a next-generation device that reduces pain and enhances safety is CoolPhase. At Cellinique Clinic, we've adopted CoolPhase instead of Thermage, so you can experience the same RF tightening effects more comfortably and safely. Rather than consider which treatment is best, we think it’s important to find the treatment that works best for you. Thermage might be a faster treatment, which means less time in clinic, but Ultraformer and Ultherapy offer more accuracy and control. Thermage, Ultraformer and Ultherapy can all achieve similar results with sagging and wrinkled skin.
The treatment functions by stimulating the production of collagen in the treated area to deliver a more lifted, youthful appearance. Before deciding on any skin tightening treatment, it’s crucial to consult with a qualified aesthetic doctor. A trained and experienced practitioner can assess your skin type, concerns, and desired results to recommend the best treatment for you. They will also inform you about the possible risks and side effects and address any questions or concerns you may have. Thermage is a radiofrequency (RF) therapy designed to tighten, smooth, and contour the skin by stimulating collagen production.
Ultherapy may cause mild “tingling” sensations during ultrasound delivery, particularly in areas with thinner muscles. Neither method requires downtime, allowing clients to resume normal activities immediately post-treatment. The longevity of results from both Thermage and Ultherapy can vary depending on individual biological responses and the condition of the loose skin being treated.

The company that designed Ultherapy put protocols in place that allow it to be used on the face.
The treatment is used to target specific areas under the skin with a unique FDA-approved technology. This technology manipulates the area beneath the skin, with a very specific temperature of heat energy to stimulate collagen regeneration. The heat treatment treats three different layers, including the muscle, skin, and surface level wrinkles with an end goal of producing firmer, less droopy skin and fewer wrinkles. Thermage is a popular non-invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to tighten and lift the skin. It’s often used on the face, neck, and chest to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin. The Ulthera machine uses energy to create small 1 mm thermal coagulation points under the skin.

Below, we’ll explore the key differences between these two treatments, so you can make an informed decision about which one might be right for you. Ultherapy uses ultrasound to heat the SMAS layer to about 60–65°C, causing it to contract—similar to how a curling iron works on hair. Ultherapy harnesses micro-focused ultrasound energy to stimulate new collagen production in the deep dermal and subdermal layers, reaching further than treatments like Sofwave. Thermage is a non-surgical treatment that uses radiofrequency (RF) technology to smooth and tighten skin via collagen stimulation. The RF waves send heat into the skin that treats the superficial layer, then extends inward. Collagen is what naturally makes our skin look young and taut, but we produce less of it as we age.