Ulthera
The machine in the room The device itself, and the company that first made it. It is now part of Merz Aesthetics.
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Ulthera vs Ultherapy
These are two names for the same thing. Ulthera is the machine. Ultherapy is the treatment that machine performs. If a clinic offers you one and a different clinic offers you the other, you are being offered the same focused ultrasound session, and there is no difference to weigh up.
At a glance
| The difference | Ulthera | Ultherapy |
|---|---|---|
| What it feels like | Sharp, deep pulses of heat | Sharp, deep pulses of heat |
| Cost | Priced per area, not per name | Priced per area, not per name |
Ultherapy
Side by side
The differences that matter
What the word refers to
Ulthera
The machine in the room
The device itself, and the company that first made it. It is now part of Merz Aesthetics.
Ultherapy
The treatment you book
The branded name for a session performed with that machine.
What actually happens to you
Ulthera
Focused ultrasound at chosen depths
Ultherapy
Focused ultrasound at chosen depths
Which word you will hear
Ulthera
More common outside the US
Clinics in Asia, the Middle East and parts of Europe often advertise "Ulthera" or "Ultherapy Ulthera".
Ultherapy
The usual word in the US and UK
Most English-language clinics sell the treatment under this name.
Is one newer than the other
Ulthera
The system has been updated
The current version is often sold as Ultherapy Prime. It is faster and more comfortable than the original, but the principle has not changed.
Ultherapy
The treatment name has not changed
The same word has covered every version of the machine since it launched.
What it feels like
Ulthera
Sharp, deep pulses of heat
Ultherapy
Sharp, deep pulses of heat
Cost
Ulthera
Priced per area, not per name
Ultherapy
Priced per area, not per name
The at-home or drugstore version
Ulthera
There is not one
Home ultrasound wands do not focus. They spread a small fraction of the power across the surface.
Ultherapy
There is not one
Nothing sold for home use heats tissue several millimetres down, and a device that could would not be safe without training.
Where the confusion comes from
Ulthera
"Ulthera HIFU" adds another layer. HIFU stands for high-intensity focused ultrasound, which is the general category. Ulthera is one machine inside it. So the phrase is accurate but not informative.
What the treatment does either way
How it works, illustrated
Ultherapy
Conditions treated
Ultherapy
Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Focused ultrasound heats a deep layer to tighten it, aimed at the jaw, neck and brow rather than at lines. The change is modest and takes three to six months to show, and it is nothing like a surgical lift. It can be uncomfortable, and results vary enough that it is worth seeing a provider's own before-and-after photographs.
Before you book
More photographs
Ultherapy
Related topic illustrations
Ultherapy
Botulinum toxin
Strong evidence for lines caused by movement, and no effect on laxity. Frequently done alongside rather than instead.
Common questions
Questions Patients Ask
Is Ulthera the same as Ultherapy?
Yes. Ulthera is the machine and the company that made it. Ultherapy is the name of the treatment performed with that machine. Booking either gets you the same session.
Why do some clinics say Ulthera and others say Ultherapy?
Both names were marketed and both stuck. Clinics outside the US often advertise Ulthera, while US and UK clinics usually say Ultherapy. There is no difference in what is done.
What is Ultherapy Prime?
It is the current version of the system. It is faster and more comfortable than the original machine, but it works on the same principle and at the same depths.
Is Ulthera the same as HIFU?
Ulthera is one brand of HIFU, which stands for high-intensity focused ultrasound. Many other machines use the same principle with far less published evidence, so ask which one the clinic owns.
Does the name change the price?
It should not. Price is driven by which areas are treated and how many lines of energy are delivered, so ask for both figures before comparing quotes.
How can I check I am getting the real thing?
Ask to see the device, and ask whether the ultrasound imaging screen is used during treatment. That screen is how the operator places the energy in the right layer.
Does the name change the risks?
No. Ask which actual Ulthera system and treatment is being used. Ultherapy safety information lists redness, swelling, pain and temporary nerve effects; a different name is not evidence of a different recovery or risk profile.