I am looking at radio frequency skin tightening - want to know efficacy and safety. Is it the same thing as Ulthera?

Question

I've seen a lot of bad reviews Ultherapy on here. Is radiofrequency skin tightening the same thing as Ulthera? Is RF safe and effective?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Both radiofrequency and ultherapy are safe devices if used appropriately and give good results for skin tightening. I often use these together in combination to get the best outcomes. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Joseph L. Grzeskiewicz, MD, FACS · Answer

Although it sounds very mysterious, radiofreqency energy (RF) is really only electrical current.  Devices that use RF pass an electrical current through the tissues which then causes them to heat up, the same way passing an electrical current through the metal of the stove top burner of your electric oven causes it to heat up.  This is an effect that we surgeons have been using literally for decades.  Things like electrocautery devices used in surgery to stop bleeding vessels, certain types of cutting and dissecting intruments used in surgery, and certain types of skin treatment devices have been around for years.  There is even a very commonly used RF device used to heat up and ablate (destroy) the lining of the uterus to stop severe bleeding.  The way these devices work and the effects of the electrical energy on tissues have been well understood, viewed as safe when used properly, and approved by the FDA.  As with all such concepts that work in reliable ways, inventors, engineers, and researchers are always looking for new ways to exploit those concepts to treat different conditions or treat the same conditions more safely and effectively.  That is part of the reason why you are seeing so many different devices out there, all of which purport to do similar things.  The big thing to understand is that some do those things better and safer than others.Ultherapy is an ultrasound device, so it doesn't use RF energy at all.  It uses a focused beam of ultrasound, or sound waves that vibrate so fast that they actually deliver enough energy to the tissues that they heat up.  All of these tightening devices you're seeing out there, including lasers and other light based devices, RF devices, Ulthera, plasma devices, or anything else that purports to tighten tissues, use the same basic principle - they create a controlled heat injury to the tissues to stimulate new collagen and shrink and tighten existing collagen.  The issue then becomes one of deciding which device is safest, most effective, most reliable, and has least pain, downtime, and risk.  Make sure you consult with only doctors who are board certified in the specific treatments on the specific part of the body you are seeing help with.  This is the best way to ensure that you will receive the most accurate and useful information to help you make a decision about what is best for you.  Best of luck.

Harry Glassman, MD · Answer

They are not the same. Radiofrequency and ultrasound (as used in Ulthera) are both methods of heating the dermis of the skin to promote new collagen. This in turn tightens the skin. Radiofrequency is generated in the electromagnetic spectrum while ultrasound uses energy from the sound spectrum. Both are effective and safe when used properly which includes proper patient selection.

Drew Varano, MD · Answer

Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy , radio frequency devices do not use ultrasound but use radio waves , lasers use light  . Basically these devices use a form of energy ( ultrasound vs light  vs RF) to heat lower layers of the skin to a certain temperature , this heating effect causes new collagen to form to tighten skin . If the device is fda approved , then it has been put through safety testing so when used properly should result in a safe treatment . But as with any type of medical treatment there always is a rare possibility of complications

I am looking at radio frequency skin tightening - want to know efficacy and safety. Is it the same thing as Ulthera?

Answers (5)

Answer: The difference between Ulthera and Radiofrequency

Answer: The difference between Ulthera and Radiofrequency

Answer: RF skin tightening

Answer: RF skin tightening

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Everything you need to know about Skin Tightening

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I am looking at radio frequency skin tightening - want to know efficacy and safety. Is it the same thing as Ulthera?

Answers (5)

Answer: The difference between Ulthera and Radiofrequency

Answer: The difference between Ulthera and Radiofrequency

Answer: RF skin tightening

Answer: RF skin tightening

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Skin Tightening

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.