Let’s speak in regards to the two anti-aging therapies everybody retains complicated: Profound RF and Ultherapy. Should you’ve been scrolling by anti-aging therapies these days, you’ve most likely stumbled throughout each – and let’s be sincere, they sound kinda comparable. Each promise tighter, smoother, younger-looking pores and skin with out going below the knife. Each are non-surgical, non-filler, and really a lot “I awakened like this” type of therapies. However the reality is… they’re completely completely different beasts below the hood. Right here, I’m supplying you with all no-fluff solutions about Profound VS Ultherapy: what the heck these therapies are, how they work, what they really do to your pores and skin, and the way to decide on the most suitable choice for you:
What Is Profound RF?
Profound RF (brief for “radiofrequency”) is mainly the collagen booster on steroids. It makes use of microneedling + radiofrequency warmth to set off a severe wound-healing response in your pores and skin. Which means your physique will get tricked into pondering it’s been injured and kicks into regeneration mode. The outcome? New collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid manufacturing. Sure, all three. And no, that’s not widespread. Most therapies solely goal a type of. Not like Ultherapy, it tends to behave on essentially the most superficial pores and skin layers.
What does Profound deal with?
- Unfastened pores and skin (a.okay.a. sagging)
- Deep traces and wrinkles
- Jowls (yep, that lower-face heaviness)
- Cellulite (when used on the physique)
Consider it as a deep rebuild. It’s not simply “tightening” what’s already there. It’s giving your pores and skin the constructing blocks to appear like it did 10 years in the past.
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What Is Ultherapy?
Ultherapy makes use of ultrasound vitality to warmth the deeper layers of the pores and skin – particularly the SMAS layer, which is similar one surgeons goal in a facelift. It doesn’t poke your pores and skin like Profound. There are not any needles right here. As a substitute, the ultrasound vitality goes deep and tightens from the within out by creating tiny thermal accidents that set off collagen manufacturing and carry the pores and skin over time.
What does Ultherapy deal with?
It’s not rebuilding your pores and skin the best way Profound does, however it’s lifting it again up. Consider it like placing a shelf again the place it was once.
Profound RF VS Ultherapy: The Actual Distinction in Pores and skin Regeneration
When individuals speak about pores and skin tightening, they often deal with collagen – however that’s solely a part of the image. Right here’s what Profound RF and Ultherapy truly set off in your skin-and why it issues for long-term outcomes.
- Collagen Manufacturing: Each therapies set off new collagen manufacturing, however how they do it and the way a lot they ship is a unique story. Profound RF hits collagen onerous. It injures the dermis on function to kick off that huge therapeutic cascade. So that you get a powerful, long-lasting collagen enhance. And it’s not simply collagen-it additionally will increase elastin and hyaluronic acid, which most therapies don’t contact. Ultherapy additionally stimulates collagen, however it’s extra focused. It creates little thermal “accidents” with sound waves in particular areas, which helps tighten and carry over time. It’s effective-but not as complete as Profound on the subject of all of the constructing blocks.
- Elastin Manufacturing: Solely Profound RF stimulates elastin manufacturing. Elastin is what provides your pores and skin that bounce-back, snappy, youthful high quality. You understand how child cheeks bounce while you poke them? That’s elastin doing its factor. Most therapies, Ultherapy included, deal with collagen alone. So in the event you’re searching for bounce and never simply firmness, Profound is the one one of many two that provides you that.
- Hyaluronic Acid Manufacturing: Profound takes this spherical too. It’s the one one which helps your pores and skin improve its pure manufacturing of hyaluronic acid. Not the type you inject, however the sort your pores and skin used to pump out by itself earlier than age caught up with it. Which means extra hydration, extra plumpness, and higher texture over time-without needing fillers. Ultherapy? No hyaluronic acid manufacturing. None. Nada.
Is There Any Downtime?
Profound RF isn’t a lunch-break therapy. Count on actual downtime: swelling, redness, and bruising for about 5 to 10 days. You’ll look puffy, perhaps somewhat beat up, and positively not prepared for any occasions or selfies. However that’s the trade-off: you’re getting deep, regenerative work completed, so your pores and skin wants time to heal and rebuild.
Ultherapy, then again, is a non-invasive therapy that comes with minimal downtime. You would possibly get a little bit of redness or tenderness proper after, however most individuals are again to regular the identical day. It’s extra of a “get it completed and get on together with your life” type of vibe.
Do They Damage?
Let’s be actual: Profound RF is excessive on the ache scale. You’ll want native anesthesia (generally even sedation) as a result of it makes use of microneedles and radiofrequency vitality (deep warmth). The upside? That ache is what triggers the manufacturing of collagen, elastin, and HA.
Ultherapy isn’t pain-free, however it’s much less intense. Most individuals describe it as deep zapping or a snapping feeling below the pores and skin. You’ll be able to often deal with it with out numbing, however it’s not precisely enjoyable.
Should you hate needles or downtime, Ultherapy’s your lady. In order for you huge adjustments and may deal with every week of chipmunk cheeks? Profound could be price it.
Associated: Does Ultherapy Damage?
Are They Protected For All Pores and skin Tones & Pores and skin Sorts?
Profound RF: Protected for all pores and skin tone. As a result of it makes use of microneedles to ship the warmth within the deeper layers of pores and skin, it avoids overheating the pigment-producing cells. That’s large in the event you’ve obtained darker pores and skin as a result of it means much less danger of darkish spots or discoloration exhibiting up after your therapy. Principally, the needles get the warmth proper the place it must be – no messing with the floor.
Ultherapy: It’s a gray space for darker pores and skin tones. I wouldn’t say it’ll set off pigment points. It’s simply not as properly studied and there’s a barely greater danger of pigment adjustments (once more, probability doesn’t imply assure – and also you want to concentrate on it). It’s Typically safer for lighter pores and skin tones.
Should you’ve obtained melanin-rich pores and skin, Profound is often the safer guess. However irrespective of which one you’re leaning towards, at all times ensure your supplier is aware of tips on how to deal with darker skin-so you’re not coping with surprises later. Oh, and so they’re each protected for all pores and skin sorts.
How Many Periods Do You Want For That Tightening Impact?
Profound RF is a one-and-done type of therapy. You go in, get it completed, and wait a number of months for the total outcomes to develop. For most individuals, that’s sufficient for years. Contemplating how painful it’s, it’s factor it’s a single therapy, don’t you agree?
Ultherapy would possibly want upkeep each 12 to 18 months-depending in your pores and skin. For optimum outcomes, you would possibly need to maintain topping it as much as keep the carry.
How Lengthy Do Outcomes Final?
Profound RF: Outcomes final 2-5 years. Some individuals don’t want a second therapy. It’s nearly like a surgical facelift with out the surgical process.
Ultherapy: Outcomes can final round 12-18 months. Which means most individuals schedule annual upkeep therapies to maintain the carry going. It’s a strong choice in order for you one thing that’s simpler in your schedule-but it won’t final so long as Profound.
You’ll often begin to see outcomes after 2-3 months for each (collagen takes time to construct), however Profound tends to point out deeper, longer-lasting adjustments. So in the event you’re searching for a extra dramatic transformation that sticks round from a non-invasive process, Profound is the one to look at.
How A lot Do They Price?
Neither is affordable, let’s simply say that up entrance. I imply, you’re searching for non-surgical pores and skin and coverings that provide you with a big enchancment in a brief area of time – that has a price.
Profound RF: Round $3,000 to $6,000 per therapy (thank goodness you often solely want one!)
Ultherapy: Round $2,000 to $4,500 relying on the therapy space.
Should you’re price-conscious, keep in mind this: Profound is often only one session. Ultherapy requires a collection of therapies (at the very least every year). Long run, the prices could even out.
Who’s A Good Candidate For Profound RF?
In case your pores and skin’s wanting looser than you’d like – like jowls, deeper traces, or that “I’m drained” vibe – Profound’s price trying out. It’s strong for anybody who needs actual change, not only a fast repair. Should you’re cool with a little bit of restoration time and need outcomes that stick round, it’s a strong selection.
Who’s A Good Candidate For Ultherapy?
Ultherapy’s a greater guess if issues are simply beginning to soften – like a barely droopy jawline or a little bit of saggy pores and skin in your neck. It’s for individuals who need a carry, however aren’t coping with severe sagging but. No downtime, out and in, again to work the identical day.
Profound vs Ultherapy At A Look
| FEATURE | PROFOUND RF | ULTHERAPY |
|---|---|---|
| Power kind | Radiofrequency + microneedling | Centered ultrasound |
| Depth | As much as 2mm into the dermis | 1.5mm to 4.5mm (all the way down to SMAS) |
| Collagen manufacturing | Sure | YES |
| Elastin manufacturing | Sure | No |
| Hyaluronic acid | Sure | No |
| Downtime | 5-10 days of swelling/bruising | None to gentle redness/swelling |
| Ache stage | Excessive (you’ll be numbed) | Reasonable (no numbing often) |
| Variety of classes | One and completed | Often 1 session, however can range |
| Finest for | Wrinkles, laxity, jowls, texture | Lifting sagging pores and skin |
| Pores and skin tones | All pores and skin tones | Finest for lighter pores and skin tones |
Which One Is The Higher Alternative For You?
It is dependent upon what you want.
Select Profound RF if:
- You’ve obtained sagging pores and skin, nice traces, and deep wrinkles.
- You need a full-on pores and skin transform, not only a carry.
- You don’t thoughts some minor unwanted effects and downtime (aka swelling, bruising, and some days of “I’m not leaving the home” vibes).
- You’re after a extra aggressive outcome.
Select Ultherapy if:
- You simply need to carry, tighten, and agency pores and skin – nothing loopy.
- Your pores and skin isn’t too wrinkly, however is beginning to droop.
- You’ve obtained an occasion arising and don’t need bruising.
- You’re new to aesthetic therapies and need to dip a toe in.
Can You Mix Them?
Technically, sure. Some clinics supply combo therapies spaced out over time: Profound for the deep rebuild, Ultherapy later for upkeep and lifting. This strategy can provide the better of each worlds: Profound therapies supply intense pores and skin regeneration whereas the Ultherapy therapy targets lifting for a extra sculpted look.
BUT: You wouldn’t do them on the identical day and even in the identical month! Your pores and skin wants time to heal and reply to 1 therapy earlier than you possibly can go in with the subsequent. Your supplier will usually advocate ready at the very least a number of months between therapies to permit the collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid to totally develop from Profound earlier than including Ultherapy’s lifting impact. This staged strategy helps maximize your outcomes with out overloading your pores and skin.
The Backside Line
Profound and Ultherapy are two non-surgical therapies that sound comparable on the floor, however they’re completely completely different when you dig in. Profound’s your go-to in order for you actual rebuilding: assume bounce, firmer pores and skin, and that thicker, youthful look. It’s obtained extra downtime, however the payoff’s larger and lasts longer. Ultherapy’s extra of a carry than a rebuild. It’s nice in the event you simply need to tighten issues up a bit and get again to your day. No needles, no downtime: only a delicate, natural-looking enhance. The higher choice for you is the one which matches the place your pores and skin’s at and what you’re able to deal with – and at all times go together with a practitioner who is aware of what they’re doing. That’s the true secret sauce.
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that will help you obtain your finest pores and skin day ever – each day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that will help you work out what’s well worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that will help you create the very best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.
