Ultherapy vs Thermage

Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound energy to target deep structural layers of the skin (down to 4.5mm), including the SMAS layer — the same layer addressed in surgical facelifts. Thermage uses monopolar radiofrequency (RF) energy to heat deeper layers of the dermis and stimulate collagen, with a focus on surface tightening and skin texture improvement. Both are FDA-approved, non-invasive, and zero-downtime, but their mechanisms of action differ.

Ultherapy is generally considered the stronger lifting treatment because it reaches the SMAS layer at 4.5mm depth, making it ideal for more significant jowling, brow descent, or neck laxity. Thermage excels at skin tightening, texture improvement, and subtle contouring — it produces a smoother, more toned appearance rather than a pronounced lift.

Both treatments produce a warm, sometimes prickly sensation as energy is delivered. Ultherapy patients often report a deeper warmth or brief tingling when the ultrasound applicator fires — the newer Ultherapy with Prime technology (using DepthSEE) reduces discomfort considerably. Thermage patients feel pulses of RF heat with cooling bursts between each pulse. Our practitioners adjust intensity to your tolerance and can pause at any time.

Both treatments stimulate your body's natural collagen production, so results continue improving for 2–3 months after a single session. Ultherapy results typically last 1–2 years, while Thermage results last 12–18 months. Maintenance treatments once a year help sustain the effect as natural ageing continues.

Yes — combining both treatments is one of the most popular approaches at 99 Medispa. Because they work at different depths through different mechanisms, they complement each other beautifully. Thermage addresses superficial tightening and texture, while Ultherapy lifts from the structural layer beneath. We typically recommend spacing them a few weeks apart.

Most patients achieve their desired result from a single session of either treatment. Some patients with more significant skin laxity may benefit from a second Ultherapy session 3–6 months later, or an annual Thermage touch-up. Your practitioner will assess your skin during a consultation to create the ideal treatment plan.

If your primary concern is visible sagging, jowls, or brows that have dropped, Ultherapy tends to be the better starting point because of its deeper reach. If your concern is more about general skin laxity, crepiness, texture, or mild sagging across a broader area (including body), Thermage offers broader coverage with a strong tightening effect.

Both are zero-downtime treatments. You can return to work or daily activities immediately. Some patients experience mild redness that fades within hours. Rare, temporary tenderness or slight swelling may occur with Ultherapy and normally resolves within a few days.

Pricing depends on the treatment area(s) and the number of lines/shots required. Ultherapy is priced per transducer line-count, while Thermage is priced per tip (600 or 900 shots). We offer both treatments at our Sydney CBD clinic at 99 York St. Book a free consultation for personalised pricing based on your specific concerns.

Both treatments are FDA-approved and TGA-approved with decades of clinical data. Over a million Ultherapy treatments have been performed worldwide. Ultrasound energy has been used in medicine for over 50 years, and monopolar RF technology (Thermage) has been used for over 20 years with an excellent safety profile.