Ultherapy vs Density: which suits my skin?
They work on different layers. Ultherapy (Ulthera Prime) delivers focused ultrasound to set depths, including the SMAS support layer at 4.5 mm, and is used when that deeper support layer has loosened; Density heats the full thickness of the dermis with radiofrequency and is used to tighten the skin and improve its elasticity. Which suits you depends on where your sagging comes from and on your skin thickness, which Dr. Jeong assesses before choosing.
Ultherapy and Density side by side
| Ultherapy (Ulthera Prime) | Density | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Micro-focused ultrasound, with real-time ultrasound imaging | Radiofrequency — sequential monopolar and bipolar |
| Target layer | SMAS 4.5 mm · deep dermis 3.0 mm · superficial dermis 1.5 mm | Full thickness of the dermis |
| Main purpose | Lifting where the deeper support layer has loosened | Tightening: dermal collagen and skin elasticity |
| Sessions | Usually one; for marked sagging, another session may follow 6–12 months later | A single session can show a tightening effect right after treatment; the maintenance interval is set at your consultation |
| Recovery | Most people resume daily activities and makeup right after treatment; swelling may last about two weeks | Daily activities and makeup right after treatment; slight redness may appear on the day |
How the choice is made
When sagging comes mainly from the deeper support layer, an approach that works on that layer, such as Ultherapy, takes priority. When the main concern is the laxity and texture of the skin itself, Density’s tightening of the dermis is the focus. The two are often combined.
Skin thickness matters because each Ulthera Prime transducer reaches a set depth: the same 4.5 mm can pass beyond the intended layer where skin is thin, or fall short where it is thick. Before treatment, Dr. Jeong assesses thickness and subcutaneous fat area by area, and during Ultherapy he confirms on the real-time ultrasound image where the layers lie.
Dr. Jeong Kyungmuk is first author of a 2023 study in Skin Research and Technology that measured facial skin thickness by ultrasound in relation to age, site, sex and body mass index. About the doctor
We do not offer Thermage, thread lifting or facelift surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have Ultherapy and Density on the same trip?
The two are often combined. Whether to combine them, and in what order, is decided at your consultation.
Which one has less downtime?
With both, most people resume daily activities and makeup right after treatment. After Ultherapy, swelling may last about two weeks; after Density, slight redness may appear on the day.
Do you offer Thermage?
No. We do not offer Thermage; Density is our radiofrequency option.
Is Ultherapy done with ultrasound imaging?
Yes. Ulthera Prime includes real-time ultrasound imaging, so the tissue beneath the transducer is checked on screen before the energy is delivered.
Not sure which suits you? Ask us
Send us your main concern; the choice is made after an in-person examination. We reply in the order messages arrive, during clinic hours (Korea Standard Time, UTC+9).