Ultherapy: Q&A
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Ultherapy Vs Thermage for Skin Tightening
Which is better for skin tightening - Ulthera or Thermage?
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28 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
steffi
in singapore
+11
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. ...
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+5
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...
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+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...
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Time Will Tell ... - New York, NY
I had Ultherapy of the lower face and neck done this past Friday, 5/10/2013. As I write...
+3
Ulthera for skin tightening
Our office has both Ulthera and Thermage and done a large number of both. Although none of the noninvasive technologies will give the same results as surgery, they do provide a subtle, yet noticable improvement without much downtime or cost. Ulthera is my choice for skin tightening in the face and neck, since I have seen a definite improvement in the face and neck of the the patients who had Ulthera. Thermage is great for tightening the abdomen, thighs and buttocks!
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+3
Ulthera vs Thermage
Going straight to the point, I think Ultherapy works much better than Thermage for skin tightening.
I have been using the Thermage system (with each upgrade), for the past 8 years. I have had some really great results, and also some patients who really didn't get much improvement. I do have to give kudos to Thermage for being on the forefront of non-invasive skin tightening. And, the company also owns the Fraxel (which I love), and Liposonix (which I haven't...
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+3
Ultherapy-Preferred over Thermage
Although both procedures are promoted for their skin tightening effects based on thermal stimulation of collagen production, this is where the similarity ends. Ultherapy utilizes ultrasound technology that allows for visualization of the tissue during treatment with the energy penetrating the skin before converging at a pre-determined depth below the surface where the heat is deposited. Thermage utilizes radiofrequency where the energy radiates inward from the surface thereby...
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+3
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 forms...
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+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.
+2
Ultherapy to tighten and firm skin
An important distinction between Thermage and Ultherapy is that Ultherapy is the first and only device with an FDA approval for LIFTING facial skin and neck skin. No other device has this LIFTING approval from the FDA, including Thermage. Most of my patients are very interested in the possibility of lifting – this is a major advantage of Ultherapy. An ultrasound transducer is placed on the skin to see where energy is needed. The skin’s response is to...
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+2
Ulthera vs Thermage: Ulthera is best for skin tightening
Both skin tightening treatments heat the dermal layers of the face, producing Thermal Injury Zones, that ignite collagen production. Both procedures tighten the skin and provide a non-invasive face 'lift'. Thermage works with radio frequency, has been on the market for over 10 years, and is FDA approved. Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy, is relatively new to the market (FDA approval came a little over 2 years ago).
In my practice, I notice a few factors...
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+2
Ulthera vs. Thermage
I had Thermage in my practice 5 years ago and I didn't see any significant results with it. I have had Ulthera for the last 1 and 1/2 years and I am seeing results. While Ulthera is not as reliable or predictable as a facelift, most patients are happy. You can verify this by the 80% worth it rating above. Focused ultrasound is a great new advance in facial and body rejuvenation. I also have Liposonix which is a focused ultrasound device for removing excess fatty...
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+2
Ultherapy is better than Thermage for treating the face
There is little doubt that Ulthera is more precise and a better treatment for facial skin tightening than Thermage. Radiofrequence is more diffuse and not nearly as precise as the thermal-coagulation obtained from Ulthera. Also, Ulthera can target the deeper facial layers that the plastic surgeons target for doing a face lift. Thermage can not do this, and can only provide some treatment of the dermis. Ulthera all around is a much better treatment for facial skin.
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+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
+2
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
+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.
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+2
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...
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+1
Ultherapy & Thermage
It depends on the area, Ultherapy is primarily used on the face and neck and does work reasonably well especially on the neck and higher. Thermage has been used more for the body and arm areas, but is more painful. Both show moderate results in younger ages with good skin tone.
+1
Ultherapy for facial skin tightening and lifting.
Ultherapy or Ulthera utilizes focused ultrasonic energy to deliver heat to the deep facial tissues to cause collagen production and ultimate tightening and lifting. Thermage utilizes a monopolar radiofrequency technology to deliver heat to the underlying tissues. Ultherapy has gained much attention over the past several years as the most innovative technology for skin tightening and lifting and is the only device approved by the FDA for both indications. You will find...
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+1
Ultherapy Vs Thermage
Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound to treat the skin. Thermage uses radiofrequency. The goal with both modalities is to increase collagen in the skin, thereby creating some lifting and tightening. Collagen develops and breaks down differently in each individual. However any procedure that increases collagen can be effective in improving the appearance of the skin. Consult with a board certified physician who is familiar with both types of treatment to discuss the benefits in your particular case.
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+1
Ulthera vs Thermage
Hi,
I get this question every day! Thermage was first approved 10 years ago and has undergone several software and hardware changes, the last being 3 years ago with the comfort pulse technology. Thermage is a slam dunk in about 1/3 of patients. Ultherapy goes much deeper and studies have shown that 80-90% of both patients and physicians see a significant result. We have both machines, and let patients decide for themselves since CPT Thermage doesn't hurt but with...
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+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.
+1
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.
+1
Ulthera vs. Thermage
Though I do lots of both procedures in the office, I was one of the first physicians in the country to perform Thermage and have been performing it since 2002. I have been performing Ulthera since its inception as well. Based on my experience in the past ten years, I do believe that Ulthera seems to be more effective for tightening of the skin of the face and neck. The Ulthera procedure currently does not have a tip that can effectively treat the eyelid skin, although the company...
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+1
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.
+1
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...
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+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...
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+1
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.
+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.
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