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Ulthera Vs Thermage for Skin Tightening

asked 2 years ago by steffi in singapore
Latest answer by Daniel Shapiro, MD
Question viewed 82,322 times
Tags: skin, tightening

Which is better for skin tightening - Ulthera or Thermage?

16 answers to Ulthera Vs Thermage for Skin Tightening

+10

Ulthera is Effective for Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation

Ulthera™ has only recently been approved by the FDA for use in the US. It has, however, been available in Asia and in Europe for several years, and preliminary results have been impressive. Ulthera™ is currently only being offered to select physicians within the US who have significant facial aesthetic practices, many of whom are involved in research and clinical studies as well. To refer to Ulthera™ as a "gizmo" is to discredit the technology behind the device. ... more
Steven L. Ringler, MD

Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon
+5

Best Non-Surgical, Non--Invasive Treatment for Lifting and Tightening Skin and Muscles of Face, Neck, Eye Brows, and Other Areas

Hi Steffi, Great question!  I have followed both technologies since their inception, Thermage for about the last 10 to 12 years, and Ultherapy by Ulthera for the past 2 years.  Based on the science behind them and the patient satisfaction results, Ultherapy by Ulthera is a superior treatment. Ultherapy by Ulthera is the only FDA approved device for both tightening and lifting of the muscles and skin of the face and neck, including the eye brows.  Ultherapy is the... more
Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+4

Which works better Ulthera or Thermage?

While the only way to know for sure is by performing a 'double blind study' in which both the doctor and patient don't know which treatment is being used. however in our practice 1) patients see results more immediately 2) the treatment is somewhat faster than thermage 3)we seem to get more reproducible improvement in about 80. per cent of our patients and a significantly lower percentage for thermage. The pain for Ulthera also seems to be slightly less but usually requires one or more... more
Joshua L. Fox, MD

Long Island Dermatologic Surgeon

www.advanceddermatologypc.com

+3

Skin tightening with Ulthera, thermage and others

Keep in mind these are only tools and by themselves are neither good nor bad. A scalpel is neither good nor bad but can be used to perform beautiful surgery or make a terrible mess. That being said, these devices are commonly used by practitioners with no formal training in plastic and reconstructive surgery and thus no understanding of what interventions, forces structures and vectors make a beautifully rejuvenated face. Now that Thermage has a long history, people are... more
Rian Maercks, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+3

Ulthera Works

I have had the Ulthera machine for 4 months and have treated approximately 60 patients. 1.) I had the Thermage machine in the past, and, in my experience, the Ulthera machine works much better at non surgical skin tightening. 2.) the Ulthera machine is less painful than the Thermage machine. 3.) Local anesthetic can be used with the Ulthera machine but not with the Thermage machine. 4.) In my office Ulthera is less expensive than Thermage was.
Leonard Gray, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+3

Too Early To Tell

Thermage utilizes radio-frequency to contour and firm the skin and subcutaneous tissue while Ulthera's thing is ultra-sound. This is the third version of Thermage and while it certainly can not be worse than the first version, one should be very skeptical. It is impossible to compare the two at this point. Much more data would be needed. The guidance of real self members who have undergone the procedure should frankly be a better source of information than either the before-after... more
Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD

Virginia Beach Dermatologist
+2

Ultherapy seems superior

There is no scientific study to address this important question. Most of us, including myself, rely on our experiences with both devices. This may, of course, be greatly biased for various reasons. Having said that, I do feel that Ultherapy probably provides more consistent result when compared to Thermage.
Chang Son, MD

Fort Lee Dermatologist
+2

Ultherapy versus Thermage for skin

The technologies between Ultherapy and Thermage are different. Ultherapy uses ultrasound and Thermage uses radiofrequency. Ultherapy is the only FDA approved device which is approved to lift the tissue. Years ago we looked at Thermage as a technology, but were not overly impressed with results. Results with Ultherapy on the other hand have been very impressive.
Patrick M. Flaharty, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.azulbeauty.com

+2

Ulthera vs Thermage

Hello, Ulthera definitely delivers more energy and deeper. Ulthera is designed more for tightening of the deeper tissues as opposed to the skin. So far, feedback on Ulthera is much more positive than Thermage. All the best, Dr Repta
Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+2

Ultherapy vs Thermage

The best way to determine which is better is by actual patient experience.  RealSelf gives that information.  92% of Ultherapy patients felt that the procedure was worth it vs 40% for Thermage.  It was this type of information that convinced us to add the procedure to our clinic. Ultherapy is not equivalent to a face lift but there are significant advantages including: no down-time, no scarring or bruising, no pain and the results are natural.  We felt that we... more
Joseph Campanelli, MD

Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Ulthera alternative for facial tightening

Ulthera is a tool for Deep tightening. Unlike the other devices mentioned which are the purpose of skin thightening, Ulthera used microfocused ultrasound aimed at the SMAS of muscle layer...this is visualized during the procedure by visual ultrasound. If you have mild to moderate deep laxity, and are NOT a surgical candidate, then you should look into this device. The Ulthera was used outside the US for 3 years and has recieved FDA approval in Sept 2009. I have used it since that time.   more
Barry E. DiBernardo, MD

Montclair Plastic Surgeon
+2

Is Ulthera more effective than Thermage for skin tightening?

I completely agree with Dr. Rand's comment and would like to add that had such a device / modality / gizmo been out there which did not have a list of potential disfiguring complications, EVERY plastic surgeon on this panel would have ALREADY owned one a long time ago. Think twice before wasting your money.
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ulthera very impressive so far

Ultherapy is a very impressive device when it comes to results. For patients looking to tone and tighten their face without a facelift, Ulthera is something I am frequently recommending. Ulthera is designed more for tightening of the deeper tissues as opposed to just the skin as with Thermage. Patient feedback for Ulthera is much more positive than Thermage, so far. Hope this provides some insight to your decision.
Daniel Shapiro, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

shapiroplasticsurgery.com

+1

Ulthera is apparently more effective than Thermage

As I researched Ultherapy with MANY phsyicians prior to starting to use the device, I learned that many in the country who had done a lot of Thermage, as I had done, now are preferentially using Ulthera. The energy is differenet and penetrates deeper than Thermage. I still prefer Thermage for the upper eyelids, mid forehead and the body. see video
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist

www.thenyac.com

+1

Thermage is Radiofrequency, Ultherapy uses Ultrasound

In my experience, patients who were sold Thermage on the basis that it was a non-surgical Facelift were invariably disappointed. One point of agreement is that Thermage can achieve skin tightening results, but it is very difficult to predict whether the result will be substantial enough to produce a good result. My understanding of Ulthera is that it offers a focused amount of ultrasonic energy to the SMAS layer, something Thermage is not capable of. Although Ultherapy is certainly not... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Save your money on non-surgical skin tightening

There has yet to be a device created that produces dramatic skin shrinking without surgical excision of the excess skin.  Until there is, I'd advise saving your money. 
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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