Ultherapy, HIFU, Thermage and Tempsure – which is the best skin lifting procedure?
Ultherapy, HIFU [High Intensity Focused Ultrasound], Thermage and Tempsure are part of a growing trend for anti-aging treatments that provide some of the benefits of a facelift without the need for surgery. All four promise to take years off your face so you will achieve a more youthful appearance with no downtime post-procedure.
Ultherapy and HIFU rely on the power of ultrasound to stimulate collagen rebuilding while Thermage and Tempsure harness radio-frequency energy to produce collagen. In short, all of them use energy to create heat at various depths in the skin. The heat damages targeted skin cells, causing the body to jumpstart the generative process that produces new, fresh collagen as part of the skin repair process. Collagen is a substance in the skin that gives it structure and elasticity. So with new, fresh collagen under your skin, you will notice improvement in the four skin quadrants – skin tone, skin texture, skin glow and skin elasticity.
The result is the younger, rejuvenated skin without the cost and pain from surgeries.
Since all four are almost similar, how do you know which is for you?
At Clique Clinic our doctors are asked this question all the time! We understand that patients are looking for the “best” skin lifting procedure so below is the simplified comparison between Ultherapy, HIFU, Thermage and Tempsure. We hope this helps you to understand the differences and advantages of each.
Energy:
Ultherapy utilizes ultrasound energy rather than radiofrequency energy, penetrating the skin at deeper levels than Thermage, Tempsure and HIFU. Ultherapy is able to reach the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) layers (nearer to the muscle) while the others reach up to the collagen-rich dermis.
Read here: https://ultherapy.com/physicians/a-deeper-nonsurgical-lift/
Efficacy:
Ultherapy has remained one of the most sought-after non-invasive procedures in the world of medical aesthetics for the past decade with over 1.5 million treatments performed worldwide. This is understandably so, as clinical studies state that there are 95% patients satisfaction rate one year after treatment.**
Citation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27047630/
In Clique, we have compiled hundreds of results from real patients of all age, gender and ethnicity that support the efficacy of Ultherapy treatments. We are proud recipients of Ultherapy Golden Award Winner* 2020 (2nd Runner Up in ASIA PACIFIC) as well as the Golden Award Winner* Malaysia from 2017 – 2021 (five consecutive years) so rest assured that you are in good hands if you select Ultherapy as your skin-tightening treatment of choice.
Comfort:
You might experience quick sensations of heat and tingling during treatment. Pain medication can be administered to address any discomfort.
Safety:
At time of writing Ultherapy is the only FDA -cleared technology for non-invasive skin lifting for areas on the face – ie brow, chin and neck. It improves lines and wrinkles on the upper chest (décolletage).
During an Ultherapy session, the control unit – a 27” touchscreen display provides real time visualisation [DeepSEE technology] which enables the doctor to assess a patient’s skin at every relevant layer for optimum treatment. Doctors can safely deliver energy to where it will be most beneficial while ensuring proper coupling and treatment technique.
In addition to that, Ultherapy’s SPT [See Plan Treat] is a method of planning and recording treatment which helps determine an individualized treatment approach so a doctor can further improve treatment outcomes.
Read more about Ultherapy’s SPT [See Plan Treat] here: https://www.cliqueclinic.com/blog/ultherapy-spt-ultherapy-see-plan-treat
Downtime:
There is usually no downtime associated with Ultherapy. Regular activities such as work, exercise, or socializing can be resumed immediately after treatment.
PRICE:
The cost of Ultherapy is determined by several factors:
- the area or areas being treated
- the number of sessions completed
Since the exact cost can be different for every individual, do get in touch with us for a consultation. We will advise you based on your skin condition and desired outcome.
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HIFU [High Intensity Frequency ]
Energy: Similarly to Ultherapy, HIFU uses ultrasound to trigger the cell repair process, inducing the body to generate collagen and elastin.
Efficacy:
While some of the HIFU work, many – especially those offered in beauty salons, do not, and can cause serious and long lasting complications.
Unlike HIFU, Ultherapy has undergone rigorous scientific evaluation even before being available in the market. The safety and efficacy have been well established through more than 50 clinical studies and over 1,750,000 treatments performed worldwide.
Comfort:
Some people report mild discomfort during the treatment, and some have pain afterward. You may request anaesthetic before the procedure to help prevent this discomfort.
Safety:
There were common complications from HIFU therapy such as skin burns of various grades years ago as the device used does not offer the same level of precision of control like Ultherapy.
Ultherapy comes with the DeepSEE technology – a unique visual aid to see the areas being treated so doctors can have an accurate assessment of the tissues and effectively treat the area for the desired facelift and skin tightening. This makes Ultherapy both much safer and much more effective.
Downtime:
There is also no recovery time, which means that patients can get on with their daily activities after receiving HIFU treatment.
PRICE:
We do not provide HIFU at Clique Clinic.
Last but not least, you can read more about Ultherapy versus HIFU here: https://www.cliqueclinic.com/ultherapy
In the next section below, we evaluate Thermage versus Tempsure under the category of radio-frequency skin lifting treatment. Dr Lim Ting Song had explained the core four criteria that made Tempsure his RF skin tightening procedure of choice here so you may read in detail: https://www.cliqueclinic.com/blog/tempsure-or-thermage
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Energy:
TempSure Envi is the latest and the gold standard RF (radiofrequency system) currently on the market. It is the most powerful at 300 Watts.
Efficacy:
The new bipolar RF technology used in the latest medical aesthetic devices such as Tempsure proved to be effective, noninvasive, and easy to use.
Comfort:
Tempsure is the most comfortable treatment among all. There is no discomfort, just a warm sensation on the skin and absolutely no downtime.
Safety:
Radiofrequency skin tightening is considered safe and effective. The FDA has approved it for reducing the appearance of wrinkles on skin.
The edge Tempsure has over Thermage is the ability to monitor the skin temperature continuously and in real time. This allows a patient’s skin to be heated to the perfect temperature quickly and efficiently. With Tempsure Envi’s continuous real-time temperature monitor there is no risk of complications due to uneven skin temperature heating.
Downtime:
There is no downtime associated with TempSure Envi.
Price:
Again the cost varies as every individual’s skin is different.
Do contact us for a personalised consultation so we could advise you better.
Read an article about: The combination of Tempsure and Plinest/ Profhilo work? https://www.cliqueclinic.com/blog/tempsure-with-plinest-or-profhilo
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Thermage:
Energy: Thermage was the first radiofrequency device approved by the FDA in 2002.
Efficacy:
When comparing radiofrequency energy versus ultrasound, ultrasound can generally reach deeper into the dermal layer. However, one advantage to Thermage is its ability to treat larger areas such as sagging skin on the abdomen, thighs, arms, and buttocks — areas not approved for treatment with Ultherapy.
You may consider Thermage if you’re looking to target skin other than the face and neck. However, Ultherapy is generally more effective when it comes to the face, neck and décolleté area.
Comfort:
With Thermage, the temperature is standardized which translates to less control on energy delivery regardless of skin issues and patient tolerance. This may lead to potential discomfort or side effects such as blistering or scabbing which happens when too much energy is delivered to the skin.
On the other hand, Tempsure offers the doctor the ability to monitor the skin temperature continuously and in real time. This allows a patient’s skin to be heated to the perfect temperature quickly and efficiently.
Safety:
When comparing radiofrequency skin lifting treatments, Tempsure has the edge over others as the TempSure Envi device allows continuous real-time temperature monitoring. In the hands of an experienced professional, a Tempsure Envi treatment should be devoid of any potential complications due to uneven skin temperature heating.
Downtime:
There is little to no downtime. For certain patients, the aftereffects of Thermage include mild swelling, bruising and redness that will subside within a few days.
Price:
The cost will depend on the areas of treatment as well as skin condition. A consultation with a qualified Thermage doctor is necessary to determine which procedure is right for you.
Ultherapy, HIFU, Thermage and Tempsure, which is the best skin lifting procedure?
Conclusion:
Anyone can benefit from a skin tightening procedure and all of the skin-tightening and lifting above are generally effective and safe. All of them stimulate collagen to lift and tighten the skin on your face, neck, and chest. Ultherapy is most popular due to its high ratings of patient satisfaction and efficacy.
However, to determine if you are a good candidate for Ultherapy, Tempsure, Thermage or HIFU, it is advisable to consult with an experienced doctor. At Clique Clinic, we offer Ultherapy and TempSure Envi. Rest assured that our doctors are capable and ready to safely and efficiently deliver your treatment.
You can read about the possibility of combining Ultherapy and Tempsure for best results here: https://www.cliqueclinic.com/blog/why-ultherapy-and-tempsure-combination
- The Ultherapy Golden Award Winner is an annual recognition awarded to clinics with the most Ultheraphy cases in Asia/Malaysia.
Read more about it here: https://www.cliqueclinic.com/blog/merz-6th-golden-record-awards
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Reviewer
Dr Lim Ting Song
Dr. Lim Tong Song is a renowned aesthetician in the medical aesthetics field with over 12 years of experience. Dr. Lim is a proud Igaku-shi (M.D.) graduate from Tohoku University School of Medicine, Japan. He is also certified by the Ministry of Health Malaysia with the prestigious Letter of Credentialing and Privileges (LCP). His expertise spans a wide spectrum of aesthetic medicine, including Asian facial and body aesthetics, clinical application of fillers' rheology, and laser medicine. Dr. Lim's influence extends beyond clinical practice, as he serves on numerous global advisory boards for aesthetic treatments and represents Asia in international consensus meetings.
Dr. Lim's dedication to excellence in aesthetics is evident in his numerous accolades, including the Anti-aging & Beauty Trophy for Best Clinical Cases. His leadership positions within the International Society for Dermatologic & Aesthetic Surgery (ISDS) and his active participation in international conferences further underline his commitment to advancing the field. Dr Lim's specialisations include skin rejuvenation, facial aesthetics using injectables and fillers, and body contouring. Dr. Lim's passion for innovation and patient care positions him as a leading authority in medical aesthetics.