Differences Between Energy-Based Devices For Skin-Lifting: Ultherapy vs Fotona

by Andy Cheng Director

Non-invasive energy-based treatments for skin tightening and overall skin rejuvenation are becoming popular in recent months. The safety profile and the minimal downtime make energy-based devices particularly appealing to people who are risk-averse or have never undergone aesthetic treatments before.

In Singapore, the 2 most popular non-surgical skin-lifting and tightening treatments are Ultherapy and Fotona.

Find out what they are and how to discern which is suitable for you if you are considering undergoing an anti-ageing treatment.

What is Fotona 4D?

Fotona 4D is a series of laser treatments with different modes that addresses skin laxity, wrinkles, and uneven skin texture.

The “4D” refers to a specific series of synergistic lasers that treat all layers of the skin. What makes Fotona 4D different from other skin lifting treatments is that it involves treating the mucous membranes on the inner cheeks to induce neocollagenesis.

Fotona 4D skin-tightening protocol is performed with 4 different laser modes: SmoothLiftin, FRAC3, PIANO, and SupErficial.

SmoothLiftin

As a non-ablative Er:YAG laser, SmoothLiftin mode targets the mucous membranes in the face to stimulate collagen from the inside of the cheeks to induce bulk heating to provide a volumizing effect that can potentially produce similar results as dermal filler treatment.

The gentle bulk heating of the mucosa increases collagen production and gradually improve tightness and elasticity of the skin. This treatment is particularly useful for lifting the mid-face and reduce nasolabial folds that can typically be treated only with dermal fillers.

FRAC3

The 2^nd step of Fotona 4D is to use the fractional Nd:YAG laser to create tiny spikes of high temperature to address specific imperfections such as deep wrinkles.

The 3D effect of FRAC3 laser induces photothermal energy into the skin to break down stubborn pigments, improve vascular imperfections and induce collagen remodelling at the same time.

PIANO

The PIANO mode is a proprietary laser setting that delivers super long pulse durations of laser energy to the skin. It further induces deep bulk heating into the dermis for more collagen stimulation. This bulk heating results in gentle raised temperature to about 45°C in the skin to improve skin laxity and skin quality.

SupErficial

The last and final step of the Fotona 4D skin-lifting protocol is a light peel to erase superficial imperfections of the skin. SupErficial laser mode is a patented variable square pulse technology which allows doctors to control the energy to minimise any thermal damage to the skin, while removing the top layer of dead skin cells to allow new skin to grow.

Ultherapy vs Fotona 4D – How different are they?

With more people opting for non-invasive anti-ageing treatments, there is an increasing number of people asking the differences between Ultherapy, an ultrasound-based device, and Fotona 4D.

Ultherapy uses microfocused ultrasound energy to heat up the skin to a consistent temperature of 65°C. Thermal coagulation of proteins in the skin occurs, causing collagen stimulation in the treated areas.

Ultherapy treats 3 distinct layers of the skin: 1.5mm, 3mm and 4.5mm by depositing precise ultrasound energy below the skin surface. Layers of the skin in between are not treated. In addition, Ultherapy only works on boosting collagen production. It does not address skin imperfections such as pigmentations, enlarged pores and depressed scars.

Ultherapy can be uncomfortable for some people who are sensitive to heat. Some people also experience discomfort when ultrasound energy is deposited on bony areas such as forehead, cheek bones and jawline.

Radium Medical Aesthetics offers both Fotona 4D and Ultherapy in Singapore.