Ulthera vs Thermage — Which Lifting Treatment Is Right for You?

In a nutshell

Finding your match — a checklist

Closer to Ulthera

• My jawline has lost definition and I have a double chin
• My cheeks sag downward and my nasolabial folds look deeper
• My face feels like it has slipped from a square toward a triangle shape
• My skin is relatively thick

Closer to Thermage

• My skin has thinned and I have more fine lines and fine texture changes
• I'm bothered by sagging or lines around my eyes and eyelids
• My pores look stretched and my skin texture is rough
• I don't have much cheek volume and worry my cheeks will look hollow after deep lifting

How it works — why results build over several months

Ulthera gathers ultrasound energy into points at a specific depth under the skin, creating heat. The tissue there contracts, and as it heals your body produces new collagen. Thermage uses radiofrequency to warm the skin layer broadly, tightening collagen fibers and prompting renewal.

Both treatments need time for your body to build new collagen. You may feel a little tightening right away, but the real change develops over 2–3 months. If you have an important event (such as a wedding), have the treatment 2–3 months beforehand.

Shot count and genuine tips — what determines your result

• Ulthera is delivered in lines and Thermage in shots. Even under the same name, results differ a lot depending on the number of shots and the areas treated.
• Check that your quote lists the number of shots for each area. KBEAU quotes always include the shot count.
• A genuine tip is a single-use cartridge that records how much has been used. On request, a new tip can be opened in front of you before treatment, and you can confirm the number of shots used afterward.
• There are many other devices with similar-sounding names (Shurink, InMode, Oligio and others). Each has its strengths, but they are not the same treatment, so check the exact name of the device.

Having both together — “Ul-thermage”

If you're concerned about both sagging and skin texture, many people have both treatments on the same day (often called “Ul-thermage”). Usually the deep-layer Ulthera comes first, followed by Thermage for the skin layer. Because it takes longer, extra time is allowed for numbing cream and sedation care.

What happens on the day

1. 1
   Consultation and design (20–30 min)The doctor assesses how much sagging you have and your skin thickness, then decides the number of shots for each area. Treatment lines are drawn on your face.
2. 2
   Numbing cream (30–40 min)If you're worried about pain, you can discuss pain medication or additional numbing options.
3. 3
   Genuine tip checkIf you'd like, a new tip is opened and the shot counter shown to you.
4. 4
   Treatment (40–90 min each)Done area by area. If anything hurts, say so right away and the intensity will be adjusted.
5. 5
   Soothing care, then you head outYou can go straight back to your normal routine or sightseeing.

Recovery after treatment

• Same day
  Slight redness and warmth. After Ulthera, some areas may feel sore when pressed for a few days.
• Days 1–3
  Mild swelling is possible. You can wear makeup and wash your face, and it rarely interferes with sightseeing.
• Weeks 1–2
  Occasionally, tenderness or a tingling feeling may remain under the chin or on the cheeks when pressed, but it usually goes away on its own.
• Months 1–3
  As collagen builds up, changes in the jawline and firmness gradually become clearer.
• Months 6–12
  The effect gradually fades. Maintenance treatment is usually done around this time.

Sample trip schedule

• Day 1, afternoon
  Arrive → consultation → Ulthera or Thermage (or both)
• Day 1, evening
  Rest at your accommodation. Avoid saunas and alcohol
• Day 2
  Sightseeing and shopping are fine. You can also fly home the next day.

Side effects and precautions to know

• Ulthera: Rarely, temporary bruising, pain when pressed, or a tingling feeling. These usually clear within days to weeks.
• Thermage: Rarely, burns or blisters. Cooling, genuine tips and an appropriate intensity are important.
• If you have little cheek volume: Aggressive deep lifting can make your cheeks look hollow, so intensity and treatment areas need to be adjusted.
• If you are pregnant, or have a metal implant or pacemaker near the treatment area, be sure to tell us beforehand.

If blisters appear, or pain or swelling keeps getting worse, contact your manager right away.

How to choose a clinic

• Does it use genuine devices and genuine tips, and show them on request?
• Does it put the number of shots for each area on the quote?
• Does a dermatologist or plastic surgeon decide the design and intensity?
• Does it take individual differences into account, such as little facial fat, and avoid recommending an excessive number of shots?
• Does it offer foreign-language support and follow-up checks after you return home?

KBEAU connects you with partner clinics in Gangnam and Apgujeong that perform Ulthera and Thermage. Send us a photo of your face and we'll tell you in advance which lifting treatment suits you, plus the shot count for each area and the schedule. On the day, a dedicated manager stays with you, from confirming genuine devices to interpreting.