What is better Thermage, Pelleve, Ultherapy, Exilis etc.

Dr. Irwin
January 11, 2016
My friend goes to a very well known Dermatologist and had Thermage face treatment once or twice a year. She said this doctor uses a very strong setting on her, higher than most doctors use. Are the tips better now, than in the past regarding indentations of the skin?

Thank you for bringing this up again……..seems like many are confused, including some doctors.   Bottom line, we know that ALL of these radiofrequency devices, if done correctly by the nurse or doctor, stimulate some deeper collagen production and produce very slight immediate tightening of existing collagen.   The question is how much are they doing this and IS IT VISIBLE  to our eyes?   There is no great answer to the how much question yet.

Also bottom line – there has never been a study comparing all of these devices (that I’ve ever seen) so we would know which one works best.   I think the best we can say is that they all work somewhat and they seem to work best on those with slighter thicker skin and younger skin (maybe ages 25-60ish depending on health and thickness (collagen) of skin.  After that, think maintenance but not visible tightening.

I agree with your doctor.   Thermage at this point seems the most predictable because it controls the number of pulses and the intensity level can be controlled.  Most offfices use 6oo or 900 pulse tips.  Thermage is also quite comfortable which Ultherapy and Pelleve can be quite painful.   Exilis is comfortable but seems less predictable, even in our hands and we use Exilis mostly for the neck and body where Thermage, in my opinion, doesn’t work.

Hope this helps,   Dr. I

 

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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