While aging is a perfectly natural phenomenon, interest in anti-aging inevitably increases as one gets older. The age range of people visiting dermatology clinics is also diverse, spanning from their 20s to the elderly. This means that aging is not a concern limited to just a specific generation. There are as many different treatments available as there are individual skin concerns. Among them, laser treatments that promote skin regeneration by delivering intense thermal energy—such as Ulthera and Thermage—are highly popular.
What are the reasons for the popularity of Ulthera and Thermage? First and foremost, one could point to the fact that they are performed using a non-invasive method that does not involve skin incisions. Since no scar recovery period is required, they are the perfect option for those who want to receive treatment quickly and conveniently during their holidays.
Ulthera and Thermage are the best laser treatments that offer natural lifting effects rather than dramatic changes in a single session like thread lifting. While each is excellent on its own, it is said that receiving these two treatments together creates even better synergy. Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of each treatment and why combining them is beneficial.
The lifting powerhouse, Ulthera
Ulthera Procedure
Ulthera is likely the procedure most frequently mentioned by celebrities on TV. Even those with little interest in skincare have probably heard of Ulthera at least once. The principle is as follows: The skin layers can be divided into the epidermis, dermis, fat layer, and muscle layer. Between the fat layer and the muscle layer lies the SMAS layer, located 4.5mm deep from the epidermis.
Do you remember the experiment where you used a magnifying glass to concentrate heat on one spot and burn paper? It works on a similar principle. The core of this procedure is that by shooting ‘High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)’ at a single point in the fascia layer, the tissue coagulates and contracts, thereby lifting the skin. A facelift also involves pulling and fixing this fascia layer.
Ulthera ultrasound has the advantage of being able to penetrate to depths of 1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm, allowing for precise treatment tailored to the patient’s skin condition. Ulthera is a procedure that provides fundamental assistance in improving skin, such as elasticity and wrinkles, along with collagen regeneration.
Ulthera treatment area
Ultherapy is excellent for refining facial lines. As we age, fat naturally tends to accumulate in the lower part of the face. It is an effective procedure for tightening such sagging facial contours. It is suitable for any area requiring lifting, including the forehead, eye area, cheeks, mid-face, double chin, and the front of the neck. However, since nerves are located shallowly around the mouth, improper laser application can cause temporary nerve damage; therefore, it is essential to undergo a diagnostic procedure through thorough consultation with a skilled doctor.
Ulthera treatment time
You can estimate the time to be approximately 10 minutes for 100 shots. While it varies depending on the number of shots, the procedure usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. If anesthetic cream is applied to relieve pain, an additional 30 to 40 minutes will be required before the procedure, so it is advisable to allow ample time.
Ulthera pain level
The pain is quite severe. It is accompanied by a sensation of heat, a tingling or numbness deep within the skin, or a sensitive feeling in the teeth. The irritation is felt more intensely, especially in areas close to the bone. However, there is no need to be scared in advance. It is quite bearable. Methods to alleviate the pain, such as anesthetic creams, nerve block, and sedation, are available, so you do not need to worry too much.
Ulthera duration
While immediate effects can be expected, collagen typically begins to respond after one month, with maximum effects appearing after two to three months. The results last up to about one year, and the current trend is to receive re-treatment between nine months and one year. Of course, this will vary depending on individual skin condition.
Ulthera side effects
The most common side effect is cheek hollowing. When energy is injected into the subcutaneous fat layer rather than the fascia layer, the fat in that area contracts, causing the cheeks to hollow. To prevent this, a highly skilled doctor and meticulous planning are required. This is because factors such as the number of shots to be applied to each area, subcutaneous fat thickness, facial contours, and age must be fully considered.
Additionally, your face may temporarily become red or swollen, but this will disappear within a few hours. Please remember that consulting a doctor is essential for pregnant women or those with certain skin conditions.
The essential choice for tightening, Thermage
Thermage Procedure
While Ulthera uses ultrasound, Thermage is a procedure that utilizes ‘Monopolar RF.’ It works by delivering high-frequency heat to the dermis layer, where collagen and elastin are located. The principle of the procedure is easy to understand if you think of a lightning rod. It is similar to how a pointed metal rod catches lightning and safely directs the current to the ground.
When a tip emitting high-intensity radio frequency energy is placed on the treatment area, current flows to the counter electrode plate attached to another part of the body. The pathway through which the current flows between the tip and the counter electrode plate is the dermis layer, which has the least resistance. This method utilizes hot thermal energy to evenly stimulate the entire dermis layer, causing existing collagen to contract and deform, thereby inducing a regenerative response.
Thermage is a tightening procedure that prevents skin aging by thickening and firming the dermis layer, rather than expecting dramatic lifting effects! With its outstanding effectiveness in improving fine lines and skin texture, it can be considered the optimal treatment for those who want to age naturally and slowly. It earned the nickname “fine line eraser” for a reason.
Thermage treatment area
Treatments can be performed on various areas, including the forehead, eye area, cheeks, jawline, and neck, to improve sagging skin, enlarged pores, wrinkles, and skin texture. A separate small Eye Thermage tip is also available, allowing for more precise treatment around the eyes. It is highly effective for eyelid elasticity and fine lines under the eyes.
Thermage appropriate number of shots
Thermage comes with a total of three types of tips: 300 shots, 600 shots, and 900 shots. This differs from Ulthera tips, which are categorized by depth (1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm). The most commonly used Thermage tip is the 600-shot option.
Generally, 300 shots are used for localized areas, 600 shots for the entire face, and 900 shots if the face and neck are also treated. While it is true that the 300-shot option is the most affordable, choosing a higher number of shots is actually a good strategy, as a higher number of shots results in longer effects and a longer duration of results, allowing for a wider interval between treatments.
Thermage treatment time
The procedure takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes for 600 shots of the entire face, while about 20 minutes is sufficient for 300 shots. Please note that while Thermage is generally performed without anesthesia, an additional 30 to 40 minutes may be required if anesthesia is administered.
Thermage pain level
You can rest assured that the pain is relatively milder than with Ulthera. Even if you are sensitive to pain, it is best to avoid general anesthesia if possible. This is because the patient needs to feel the heat to properly check the treatment level. Since this procedure improves the skin by generating heat, the results will inevitably be unsatisfactory without a sensation of warmth. You will achieve satisfactory results only if the procedure is performed at an intensity that suits you while monitoring your pain level.
Thermage duration
With a 900-shot treatment, you can see sufficient results for one year. For the most common 600-shot treatment, follow-up procedures are often performed after 9 months to 1 year; however, after improving skin elasticity, it is recommended to visit the clinic every 6 months for maintenance purposes.
Thermage side effects
Since this procedure uses high-intensity radiofrequency energy, side effects such as burns, redness, blisters, and swelling may occur. However, in most cases, these are temporary symptoms that disappear over time, so you do not need to worry too much if you proceed with the procedure after a thorough consultation with a skilled doctor.
Reasons why it is good to use it together with Ulthermage
Both elasticity and wrinkle improvement
Ulthera and Thermage are two procedures that work well together. This is because the energy used and the target layers of the skin differ. As previously discussed, Ulthera targets the deep fascial layer of the skin, while Thermage targets the shallowest layer, the dermis.
With these two procedures, it is possible to address both the surface and the deeper layers of the skin simultaneously, providing deep and broad lifting and tightening. Since loss of elasticity and wrinkles typically appear together as skin aging progresses, performing both procedures together can be even more efficient.
It is a cost-effective treatment when combined with Ulthermage.
Both Ulthera and Thermage are laser treatments that utilize thermal energy to promote collagen regeneration. When combining the two procedures, gradually raising the skin temperature with the first treatment before proceeding with the other allows you to reach the target temperature more quickly with fewer shots.
The idea is to reduce the number of shots used to raise the temperature and increase the number of shots that directly contribute to skin improvement. In this context, if the focus is on lifting, placing Ulthera as the second treatment, or if tightening is the priority, placing Thermage as the second treatment, can lead to better results.
However, whether you can receive these two procedures on the same day requires consultation with a doctor. This is because various factors, such as skin sensitivity and facial shape, must be considered. This is precisely why you must choose a dermatology clinic staffed by specialists who possess professional knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise.
How much does Ulthermage cost?
Ulthera and Thermage are actually well-known for being high-priced procedures. Since the equipment used is very expensive and the unit cost of each consumable tip is also high, the base price is inevitably high. Costs vary from clinic to clinic, making it difficult to get clear guidance simply through an online search.
Prices also differ depending on the doctor’s treatment approach. If you are curious about the procedure that suits you and its corresponding price, the quickest way to find out is to visit a clinic in person. I recommend finding and visiting a clinic that possesses a doctor with a clear treatment philosophy, years of know-how, and expertise.