For decades, both men and women have been turning to surgical facelifts to shave years off their faces. It was the only option and involved surgeons cutting into the skin (ouch!) to lift and tighten the face’s underlying muscles.
It was painful, to say the least, and required downtime to completely recover and heal the wound. In this day and age, thankfully, we have science to thank that we no longer have to go through an invasive facelift to rejuvenate the face—or wait until we need one.
Have we discovered the fountain of youth? We’re giving you the lowdown on three of the most popular non-invasive facelifts, from their superpowers and processes to how much they cost and more. Discover Sofwave, Ultherapy, and Thermage, the tried-and-true favorites of beauty fanatics, promised to plump, lift, contour, and tighten your skin—no scalpels required.
What are these treatments?
Sofwave, Ultherapy, and Thermage are all non-invasive, anti-aging treatments that can replicate the effects of a surgical facelift to varying degrees. All three have no downtime, save for some redness or bruising that fades within a few hours to a few days. They can be done on almost anyone regardless of age—men and women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond.
Why are they so popular now?
Aside from being the treatment of choice for those who do not want to go under the knife, it is also just as preventive as it is corrective. Many people in their 20s see it as a way to get the skin quality or the face shape they’ve always wanted. JL, 27, says, “As someone who has always been into beauty, I know that prevention is better than cure. Getting Ultherapy at an early age was an easy decision. I’ve also always wanted lifting around my jaw area, so that’s where we concentrated. After 5 months I’ve definitely seen changes—my jaw looks tighter and is more prominent now.”
It is also a favorite of those who dislike upkeep, as most of the treatments only require one quick session a year. Bianca, 30, says, “As much as I love pamper days, I also love treatments that don’t require so many sessions. Aside from their prices quickly adding up, I also don’t like having that uncertainty of not knowing when the results will kick in. With Ultherapy, I immediately saw the lift it gave me, and I know that it’s just going to get better from here on out.”
If all three treatments mimic the results of a facelift, are they all the same?
The three treatments do share some similarities. For one, they all focus on jumpstarting the body’s natural processes, resulting in fresh collagen growth (which we know starts to decline once we hit our 20s). They all also have both instant and gradual effects, which means that while you can see an instant improvement right after the treatment, the results just keep getting better as time goes on. As your body starts producing collagen, you start to see more lifting which usually hits its peak at the sixth-month mark. They also have their differences or specialties, so let’s talk about what makes each treatment so special.
The Treatments
Everybody ages in different ways. One’s signs of aging may be different from someone else’s, which makes these anti-aging treatments not one-size-fits-all. Dermatologists may recommend one treatment over the other, or combine treatments for the best results.
Let’s take a look at what each treatment focuses on:
Sofwave
Specialty: Skin Quality
One of the first things people notice as they age is the onset of fine lines and wrinkles. It all usually happens the same way—we stand in front of the mirror in the morning light and notice some faint lines. We wonder how long it’s been there, if we’ve noticed at all, and if it’s just the lighting or the way we slept last night.
Most of the time, a few fine lines and crepey skin can be slowed down by other mildly invasive treatments like Botox or to a certain degree, even topical skincare. Sofwave, the newest of the three treatments, doesn’t merely slow aging down—it actually has the power to turn back time. That is, for our skin at least.
Sofwave utilizes SUPERB™ or Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam technology which specifically targets the mid-dermis, the layer just below the epidermis (about 1.5mm down). Like the other two treatments, it stimulates the production of collagen, but unlike them, Sofwave focuses on treating the surface of the skin—targeting fine lines, wrinkles, and crepiness.
Sofwave is the perfect treatment for those seeing early signs of skin aging. Mostly recommended for those in their 20s: no facelift needed, but would like to bring back their elastic, plump, and taut skin.
Ultherapy
Specialty: Facial Structure
In the same way we fixate on wrinkles, most dermatologists first examine the underlying facial structure. Aging is not only characterized by the lines we see on our skin but by the way our facial structure changes—a natural occurrence as we age.
The facial structure may be augmented through the use of threads and fillers, but the use of Ultherapy with specific techniques can contour and lift the face—all on its own, without the help of injectables.
Similar to Sofwave, Ultherapy uses ultrasound technology. The difference lies in the depth. Ultherapy’s micro-focused ultrasound penetrates the skin’s layers up to 4.5mm deep, reaching the SMAS or Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System layer—the layer surgeons target when they do surgical facelifts. Ultherapy works on layers Sofwave does not reach, bypassing the top layers of the skin, and stimulating collagen in those layers to bring back the structure of the face.
Does that mean Ultherapy is better than Sofwave? Not necessarily. Both are ultrasound treatments, but they specialize in targeting and addressing different concerns, which is why some doctors recommend the fusion of the two treatments. Sometimes they use different treatments in different areas, or they combine the two for a more holistic treatment.
Ultherapy is normally recommended for those in their 30s and 40s, but patients in their 20s see benefits in their skin’s firmness and facial structure as well.
Thermage
Specialty: All Over Skin Laxity
Whether it’s from aging or losing weight, sagging skin can age one’s face significantly. Usually immediately addressed through surgical procedures such as “tucks,” loose skin may now be treated using Thermage, or its newer counterpart, Thermage FLX.
Thermage hits the superficial layers right between Sofwave & Ultherapy, similarly tightening the skin to improve skin laxity through the stimulation of collagen.
Unlike Sofwave and Ultherapy, Thermage uses RF or Radio Frequency technology, something you’ve probably heard of or tried in the past. You may think that it’s less effective just because it has been around longer, but au contraire, it is just as effective because of all the research and technological advancements it has gone through. Of the three treatments, it is the only one that is FDA-approved to be used on other areas of the body such as the arms, buttocks, and abdomen.
Beyond the Surface
We spoke to some of our favorite dermatologists and beauty girls to help shed light on our most common questions.
If most of these treatments are recommended for those in their 20s and 30s, is it too late for those in their 40s?
“Absolutely not,” says Dr. Pauline Diño of Luminisce Holistic Skin and Laser Clinic. “They’re all really good, not just as preventive treatments, but for addressing mild to moderate forms of sagging as well. At 40, you’ll still be able to notice significant improvements in the skin.”
Can we combine treatments?
These treatments are safe to combine and are often recommended to complement each other. Dr. Pauline Diño says, “Sofwave and Ultherapy penetrate different levels of the skin, and we’ll sometimes recommend combining treatments, or sometimes even alternating the two. Thermage has a similar depth with Ultherapy, but some areas have contraindications to either so we’ll recommend the best treatment for each area.” Do note that your doctor should thoroughly get to know your goals, devise a treatment plan, and be prepared that it may involve all three. An example plan could look like this: Ultherapy to lift the cheeks, Sofwave for areas with fine lines, and Thermage for your body.
Are there other treatments similar to these three?
These top treatments aren’t the only new treatments with similar capabilities. Dr. Pauline Diño says, “There’s also HIFU, which has similar effects as Ultherapy, however, this requires more treatments to get the same results. In Luminisce, we recommend 3 consecutive sessions of HIFU, one session per month, in order to see results.”
“There is one that is faster, quieter, and less painful,” shares Dr. Windie Villarica of Skin Inc. She’s talking about the new Ultraformer MPT, another technology similar to Ultherapy. This treatment is a big step above other HIFU treatments—treating multiple layers of the skin with its Skin Booster Tip and Circular Thermal Coagulation Points.
Dr. Windie Villarica also recommends the OLIGIO, a treatment similar to Thermage but is said to be a lot less painful and just as effective. In the beauty world, technological advancements are often thought to be focused on getting better results, but advancements are also made towards comfort, making treatments once only for those with the highest pain tolerances much more inclusive.
Does skill and technique matter for these treatments?
A skilled doctor can use these technologies to sculpt, lift, and tighten your face in body, shaving years off your age. While there are standard procedures for these treatments, the doctors’ techniques can still influence your results.
Both Dr. Pauline Diño and Dr. Windie Villarica say that these treatments are especially operator-dependent. With Ultherapy and Ultraformer, for example, the dermatologist gets visibility on the particular layer being treated on the machine’s screen. This micro-focus precision is what particularly sets these treatments apart from other ultrasounds.
How should patients prepare for these treatments?
The first and most important step is to come in for a consultation. This is the part where you tell your doctor about your goals, the time you can spend getting treatments, your lifestyle, and your budget. After this consultation, you can collaboratively work on a treatment plan.
There’s rarely any prep work to do for these treatments, although some doctors will have varying recommendations. Most of these have to do with minimizing discomfort during the procedure—avoid alcohol & sun exposure, and some may recommend popping a pain reliever.
Dr. Pauline Diño says that there’s nothing in particular that patients need to do to prepare, save for checking if the patient is taking any blood thinners that may come from certain medications and supplements. However, blood thinners only increase the possibility of bruising, but do not make the patient ineligible for treatment.
Aside from these important prep steps, it’s also important to prepare yourself mentally as well. It’s important to ask yourself if it’s what you really want and need, or if you’re only doing it out of the fear of getting left behind if you don’t do it. Chinie, 42, hasn’t considered getting any of these treatments. She looks great, and attributes it to diligent skincare and a healthy lifestyle—no drinking or smoking at all!
It also does cost a pretty penny, so it’s important that you’re prepared financially. Steph, 40, says “I’ve heard good reviews from other people, but I need to save up for it as I know it’s pricey. I’m also very diligent with my skincare, so I feel like I still look very much okay and can hold off on these for a few more years.”
What can patients expect during their treatments?
Most clinics will apply topical anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the entire process of Sofwave and Ultherapy. This usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes before the procedure. Your face will be marked so they get to cover all the areas you’re treating, and then you begin the treatment.
The doctor in charge should explain the process as it goes on and check in on you regularly to see how you are doing. You can expect a bit of discomfort from either the current or heat (for Thermage), but not a high level of it, so make sure you communicate with your doctor in case you begin to feel a high level of discomfort.
Is there anything patients should keep in mind after treatments to get the best results from these treatments?
You can expect mild redness, swelling, bruising, or dull pain after the treatment, but this should subside in less than a few days. After the treatment, you may resume all your regular activities, save for Thermage, where you’ll be asked to avoid sun exposure for two weeks. Keep in mind that you may have to come back for other treatments based on your goals and the treatment plan you have created with your doctor.
