What is Ultherapy Prime?
Ultherpay PRIME is an FDA-approved treatment that targets deep structural layers of the skin with the use of precise ultrasound energy to stimulate the production of new collagen in the cells, creating a natural lifting result. It is is the only non-invasive treatment cleared by the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) for lifting the skin on the neck, chin, and brow, as well as improve lines and wrinkles on the décolletage (neck and chest area) by using microfocused ultrasound technology to tighten loose skin over time.
What is HIFU?
HIFU stands for high-intensity focused ultrasound, and this treatment also works to tighten skin with ultrasound energy by promoting collagen production. While HIFU may sound similar to Ultherapy PRIME, there are differences between the two.
HIFU uses ultrasound energy to produce heat. The high-frequency ultrasound beams are directed at precise sections or layers beneath the skin’s surface, damaging only targeted skin cells without harming upper layers of skin and tissue. As a result, your body will generate collagen to help with cell regrowth as part of its healing process.
What is Thermage?
While also working to tighten and smoothen skin, Thermage treatment uses radiofrequency (RF) energy instead. RF energy is delivered deep into the inner layers of the skin, which encourages the production of collagen. Water molecules disconnect from the collagen structures due to the RF energy, resulting in collagen contraction and promoting the formation of new collagen to improve skin laxity. As collagen is regenerated over time, your skin is further tightened over the next few months. Although this treatment heats collagen beneath the skin, the device applied to your skin has a cooling surface to ensure comfort.
The Similarities and Differences
Ultherapy PRIME
- Non-surgical and minimally invasive methods for skin lifting with little to no downtime
- Microfocused ultrasound
- Reaches superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) layers and is the only FDA-approved technology for non-invasive skin lifting for areas on the face such as the brow, chin, and neck area
- You may feel a quick hot and tingling sensation during treatment
HIFU
- Non-surgical and minimally invasive methods for skin lifting with little to no downtime
- High-intensity focused ultrasound
- Even though this treatment is cleared by the FDA to tighten skin and improve lines and wrinkles on the upper chest and neckline, it is not as precise as Ultherapy PRIME
- You may experience mild discomfort during treatment and potentially feel slight pain after the procedure
Thermage
- Non-surgical and minimally invasive methods for skin lifting with little to no downtime
- Radiofrequency energy
- More suitable for sagging skin on larger surface areas on the body like the abdomen, thighs, arms, and buttocks
- You may have potential discomfort during treatment and may experience blistering or scabbing as side effects
