Which product and treatment area are being proposed?
Thermage FLX uses monopolar capacitive radiofrequency. Ultherapy Prime uses microfocused ultrasound with imaging and selectable 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm focal depths. Treatment planes can overlap; the energy source alone does not decide suitability. Ask for the model, tip or transducer, and the area to be treated. Thermage FLX: K170758 · Ultherapy Prime: K250418
What did the studies measure?
Fitzpatrick and colleagues followed 86 people for six months after one periorbital treatment with the earlier ThermaCool TC System. They measured wrinkle scores, brow position, satisfaction and adverse effects. Blinded photograph scores and treating-physician assessments differed. Fitzpatrick et al., 2003
Alam and colleagues evaluated 35 people in a prospective cohort using an investigational ultrasound device. The main assessments compared baseline and day-90 photographs and measured brow elevation. The authors could not quantify lower-face tightening because that area lacked fixed anatomical landmarks. Alam et al., 2010
These were separate studies with different methods and earlier devices, not a head-to-head trial of FLX and Prime. Their follow-up periods do not establish a universal result duration or show which current device will suit an individual.
Questions to bring to the assessment
- Which finding on examination matches my main concern?
- How do my previous treatments, implants, medicines and current skin condition affect the plan?
- What change will we measure, with which photographs or scale, and when will we review it?
- What risks, recovery instructions and follow-up contact arrangements apply to the proposed area?
What makes two quotes comparable?
Request the same treatment area and a written breakdown of the device, treatment quantity, number of sessions, comfort measures, follow-up and taxes. Ultrasound lines and RF pulses describe different delivery systems; matching their counts does not make two plans equivalent.
For an Ultherapy quote, confirm the transducers, planned lines and area coverage. Delight Dermatology provides Ultherapy pricing and consultation details in Seoul.
For a Thermage quote, confirm the tip, planned REPs and whether the quote is for one session or a package. Delight Dermatology provides Thermage pricing and consultation details in Seoul.
Frequently asked questions
Do these studies show whether Ultherapy or Thermage is better?
No. They studied different groups, devices and outcomes. A brow-position measurement and a wrinkle score cannot be treated as the same outcome.
Does six months of follow-up mean the result lasts six months?
No. Follow-up describes the observation period. It does not establish when an individual result will disappear or when another treatment is needed.
What should I confirm before accepting a quote?
Confirm the exact device, area, tip or transducers, planned treatment quantity, session count, included care and total cost. Ask how the clinician will assess the response before recommending any further session.
Published references
- Fitzpatrick R, et al.. Multicenter study of noninvasive radiofrequency for periorbital tissue tightening. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine. 2003;33(4):232-242. PubMed
- Alam M, et al.. Ultrasound tightening of facial and neck skin: a rater-blinded prospective cohort study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2010;62(2):262-269. PubMed
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Thermage FLX System: K170758. 510(k) summary. 2017. FDA 510(k) record
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ulthera System (UC-1 and PRIME): K250418. 510(k) summary. 2025. FDA 510(k) record