Should I Choose Thermage or Ultherapy Treatment to Tighten My Skin?

Every girl wishes to sustain her youthful look, in which skin condition is an essential element. There is currently a dazzling array of skin tightening and lifting treatments on the market, with each product and service claiming to be effective in restoring your firm skin. Yet, their effects may vary largely. Today, we will introduce the features of the sought-after Thermage Radiofrequency (RF) Treatment and Ultherapy Ultrasound Treatment. Keep reading to know which one is suitable for you and how the treatments can help refine the overall facial contours.

Thermage Radiofrequency Treatment and Ultherapy Ultrasound Treatment are currently more popular among the treatment choices. Their major differences are as follows: 

1. Target age group

The Thermage RF treatment mainly targets girls aged over 20 with slim faces where wrinkles and sagging skin start emerging due to collagen loss. Since their skin still contains a certain amount of collagen, RF technology can stimulate collagen regeneration to slow down collagen loss. This can consequently help restore plump and firm skin and smooth out wrinkles. On the other hand, Ultherapy is suitable for ladies aged over 30 and is famous for its age-defying effect. Its high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technology can stimulate and lift the Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS) layer of the skin, helping to reduce fat, sagging skin and double chin. This treatment is especially effective for girls with chubby faces.

2. Principles

Thermage uses RF technology to safely heat up the tissues in deep skin layers in all directions to recover sagging and loose skin due to the loss of collagen fibres. Radiofrequency will not damage the collagens on the surface of the skin, and will stimulate collagen contraction at a temperature of approximately 40°C to 60°C to help damaged cells reorganise and recover. They can then support and plump the skin, therefore achieving the skin-tightening effect. On the other hand, Ultherapy is a non-invasive procedure that utilises state-of-the-art HIFU to reach deep into the SMAS layer. It will heat up part of the skin without damaging the surface to stimulate collagen. The temperature of HIFU is set at 65°C, which is the most effective in promoting collagen reorganisation and regeneration.

3. Expected result

The main result of Thermage is stimulating collagen growth to instantly tighten the skin, as well as firming the chin and neck area. The treatment can also reduce wrinkles, nasolabial folds, under-eye bags, eye wrinkles and crow’s feet. Ultherapy also aims at promoting collagen growth, as well as tightening the cheeks and their outlines, and refining jawlines and facial contours. In addition, Ultherapy can lift eyebrows and eyelids, reduce eye wrinkles, tighten the neck and smooth out neck lines, and reduce the wrinkles on the upper chest.

4. Applicable areas

Apart from the face, Thermage can also be used on the jaw, neck, knees, belly, buttocks and thighs, etc. Ultherapy targets the face, eyebrows, jaw, chin, neck and upper chest, etc.

5. Sensations during the treatment and side effects

During a Thermage treatment, you may feel a temporary cold sensation; while during an Ultherapy treatment you may feel a mild to moderate warm sensation. Both treatments involve applying topical anaesthetic cream in the process to reduce the client’s discomfort. If you experience slight redness, numbness or irritation on your skin, do not worry as they will subside quickly and will not interfere with daily activities.