What is the Difference Between Ultherapy and Thermage?

Thank you for the question. Thermage and Ultherapy both use energy to restore and rebuild collagen production in the dermal layer of the skin. But Ulthera uses ultrasound energy that can usually reach deeper into the dermal layer, even down to the fat and SMAS, to provide more dramatic and noticeable skin tightening. Thermage uses radio frequency energy at only one depth. Both create heat, which tightens the skin from under the surface. The person performing Ultherapy often has more control over the depth of treatment than a person performing Thermage therefore choosing a qualified technician is key.

Ultherapy uses ultrasound. Thermage uses radio frequency. Thermage has not really had proven efficacy. Ultherapy is FDA cleared for skin tightening on face and neck. 

Both devices can cause collagen formation in the dermis to help tighten the facial features. Thermage has applicators that are very small for use on eyelid skin and large ones for body sites such as arms, legs and abdomens. Its medium applicator is used for the face.  Ultherapy has smaller and medium applicators but off facial sites are off-label and studies are ongoing.  Thermage uses radiofrequency energy and Ultherapy uses focused deep ultrasound energy. Both hurt but the discomfort is over when the energy is stopped from being delivered.  These non-invasive techniques can help rejuvenate the skin tone but are not expected to give the same result as a facelift.  They also do not improve the skin surface so don't expect wrinkles to be better. Overall, we have had higher patient satisfaction with improvement in facial jowl lifting, cheek lifting, forehead lifting and neck lifting with Ultherapy than Thermage. I still find Thermage very useful on the loose skin of abdomens and the loose skin of thighs.

Thermage and Ultherapy both use energy to restore collagen production in the dermal layer of the skin. But the type of energy each treatment uses is different. Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy while Thermage uses radiofrequency energy.Ultrasound energy usually reach deeper into the dermal layer, even down to the fat and SMAS layer, to provide more dramatic and noticeable skin tightening and lifting.

Thank you for your question, the answer to your question is Ultherapy uses pulses of ultrasound  under direct visualisation to create a thermal effect that encourages the production of collagen to generate lift of the skin and muscle. It is very effective to reduce jowls, improve the jawline and lift eyelids and give a brow lift. We are also able to treat a lined crepey décolletage. Thermage targets collagen in a similar fashion but employs radio frequency waves to stimulate collagen tightening in the skin. The Thermage procedure tightens existing collagen and prompts the production of new collagen. We especially like the results of Thermage for the eyes (for crepey and hooded lids) and for skin tightening on the abdomen arms and thighs.  I hope this has helped.