Thermage® FLX and Ultherapy PRIME®: Which is better?

The two feel different in terms of pain. Ultherapy PRIME® causes a deep, vibrating ache as if the bone is resonating, while Thermage® FLX feels like a burning heat. Generally, more people find Thermage® FLX more painful than Ultherapy PRIME®, but some individuals say Ultherapy PRIME® hurts more.

Ultherapy creates high-temperature coagulation points in deep layers with ultrasound energy, causing a deep, vibrating ache around the bone or areas with many nerves. However, the latest generation, Ultherapy PRIME, has improved energy delivery and is reported to be less painful than previous generations.

Thermage FLX uses vibration (Comfort Pulse) and cooling gas to distribute heat and control pain.

Pain perception varies greatly by individual, so if you are sensitive to pain, it is advisable to discuss anesthesia methods during the pre-treatment consultation.

Both procedures generally maintain their effects for about one year, so it is difficult to determine which is superior based solely on duration. Thermage® FLX typically lasts about 12 months, and Ultherapy PRIME® also often lasts from 6 months to one year depending on maintenance. Both procedures share the common feature that results gradually become more noticeable between 2-3 months.

Age, skin thickness, degree of sagging, and lifestyle habits (weight changes, UV exposure, smoking, etc.) cause significant individual differences in the actual maintenance period. Therefore, satisfaction depends more on "whether the appropriate layer was stimulated to achieve the best results for you" than on "which one lasts longer."

If your concerns are decreased skin surface elasticity and fine wrinkles, Thermage® FLX may be considered first; if your concerns are deep-layer laxity such as a sagging jawline or cheeks, Ultherapy PRIME® may be considered first. For example, for those with thin skin and prominent fine wrinkles, or those worried about hollow cheeks and hesitant about strong lifting, Thermage® FLX, which primarily works on the dermis, is often suitable. Conversely, for structural sagging such as a double chin, deep cheek sagging, or a collapsed jawline, Ultherapy PRIME®, which targets the SMAS layer, can be helpful.

However, face shape and skin condition are difficult to assess from photos or text alone. Since results of the same procedure vary depending on fat volume, skin thickness, and bone structure, an in-person examination is necessary to confirm the actual condition.

Yes, because the two procedures target different layers, combined (dual) procedures are actually widely performed. Lifting the SMAS layer with Ultherapy PRIME® and reinforcing dermal elasticity with Thermage® FLX allows management of both deep and superficial layers, so more comprehensive improvement can be expected compared to a single procedure. They may be performed on the same day, or separated by an interval of about 1-2 weeks depending on skin condition.

However, since both procedures use heat stimulation, the order, energy intensity, and interval must be adjusted by the Dermatologist based on your skin's response. Heal House has both Thermage® FLX and Ultherapy PRIME®, so during your consultation we will design whether and in what order to combine the two devices on an individual basis.