Thermage vs. Ultherapy vs. HIFU – which one works better?
Everyone wants to look good at all stages of their life or we all want to age gracefully. But as we grow older our skin starts losing its elasticity which makes it look saggy and old. The loosened skin adds several years to one’s appearance. With the development of technology, there are plenty of surgical and non-surgical methods available to help you to stay youthful.
Thermage, Ultherapy and HIFU are the most popular among all non-surgical options of anti-aging treatments.
They help in tightening the skin, removing the fine line and wrinkles, etc. These three also differ in some areas which can be the determining factor for choosing the best method which works best for you.
Today, we will discuss Thermage, Ultherapy, and HIFU in detail along with their comparison.
What Is Thermage?
Thermage is a skin tightening treatment that targets collagen production under the layers of the skin. It is a non-invasive and non-surgical treatment process. Thermage came into existence around 15 years ago. Many celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Oprah, Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, etc. have also opted for this skin treatment.
Under this treatment, radiofrequency is used to radiate heat under the deep layers of the skin which results in boosting the collagen, ultimately tightening the loose skin. Thermage has no downtime period so the person can resume his or her daily routine without any hassle. The effect can last up to 2 years.
How Thermage Target Aging Signs?
Thermage uses radiofrequency energy to heat the skin layers and then cool them immediately to prevent burn and discomfort. This radiofrequency heat enhances the production of collagen, tightens the skin and improves skin texture such as reducing pores. There are mainly two generations of Thermage: CPT or FLX. According to experts, Thermage FLX is the latest generation (5th generation) which is more effective and efficient with its enhanced features. Thermage FLX has an improvised energy transfer algorithm that enhances the result. Its tip spot size is also larger which provides more effective results. Thermage FLX also comes with vibration at the tip which significantly reduces the discomfort level. Results of Thermage can be seen right after the treatment (skin firming) and progressively improve over the next 3 months. The final results includes the reduction in droopy eyelid, eyebag, laugh line, marionette line, double chin and necklines.
What Is Ultherapy?
Ultherapy is a skin tightening treatment that uses high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to treat skin tissues. It is a non-invasive and non-surgical option for getting rid of aging signs. These ultrasonic waves applied in pulsating form heat up the skin tissues and ultimately boost the collagen production. It can be used for face lifting and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. This treatment was approved by FDA in 2009 for improving fine lines and wrinkles along with cosmetic procedures like an eyebrow lift.
How Ultherapy Target Aging Signs?
In this treatment, pulsating heat produced by ultrasonic energy is transferred to the SMAS layers of face for enhancing collagen production and lifting effect. This ultimately reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The results are natural and can be fully seen after 60 to 90 days of the treatment. The treatment has no significant downtime along with negligible prerequisite preparations.
What Is HIFU?
HIFU stands for high-intensity focused ultrasound. It is a relatively new skin tightening treatment that people are much not accustomed to. HIFU is also a very effective non-invasive and pain-free skin tightening treatment. This treatment incorporates an ultrasound technique to cure loosened skin.
FDA approved HIFU for brow lifts in 2014 for cosmetic treatments. The procedure can be used for skin tightening, facial rejuvenation, contouring, etc. HIFU has been regarded as a very effective skin tightening treatment by users.
How HIFU Targets Aging Signs?
Similar to Ultherapy, HIFU targets the SMAS layers which is typically at 4.5mm depth beneath the skin epidermis. Similar to Ulthera, HIFU incorporates ultrasound energy to increase the temperature of skin tissues, without burning you. This technique further stimulates our cells to produce new collagen to replace the previous degenerated one. This ultimately results in firming up the skin. This treatment can be used for lifting eyebrows, eyelids, improving jawline, eliminating turkey neck, etc.
Comparison between HIFU, Ultherapy and Thermage
All these three treatments are highly effective for rejuvenating the skin. These directly aim to tighten your skin and increase the production of collagen. Choosing one which will work best for you could be not as straightforward as it seems. So let’s compare and find out the best treatment according to your needs.
Summary
Aging should not be synonym with dull appearance and lower self-esteem. The loosened skin and wrinkles can affect a person’s confidence. We are blessed with advanced technology for non surgical face lifting and anti-ageing, without the need to go through the fear of surgery and prolonged recovery.
Thermage uses radiofrequency while Ultherapy and HIFU use ultrasound energy. Thermage, Ulthera, and HIFU are categorized into energy-based device for facelifting. Their ultimate goal is to provide heat to the skin for collagen stimulation. Choosing between them can be quite confusing so it is always better to discuss with your aesthetic doctor.
Combination of Thermage and HIFU/Ultherapy can be done for the best outcome, with 3 months apart. All these energy-based devices provide you great solutions to defeat the signs of aging and remain looking youthful.