At a glance

Device	Maker	Technology	MFDS and FDA status	Downtime, as stated by the sources
Ultherapy and Ultherapy PRIME	Ulthera, Inc. (Mesa, Arizona, USA), part of the Merz Group (Frankfurt, Germany)	Micro-focused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V). It treats at 1.5, 3 and 4.5 mm, and the transducers image the tissue down to 8 mm	MFDS: sold in Korea by Merz Aesthetics Korea as a focused-ultrasound stimulation system medical device; a décolleté indication was added in September 2016; permit number and date not confirmed in our sources. FDA: de novo order in 2009 (eyebrow lift); 510(k)s added under the chin and neck (2012) and the décolleté (2014); PRIME platform cleared in 2024; abdomen and arms (letter of 24 Feb 2025); knees (letter of 21 May 2026)	Merz says there is no downtime and normal activities can resume right after treatment. Skin may look flushed, and redness should fade within a few hours. Some people have mild, temporary swelling, tingling or tenderness. Trials report redness, swelling, pain and transient nerve effects
Thermage FLX (Thermage)	Solta Medical, the aesthetics business of Bausch Health Companies (Bothell, Washington, USA)	Monopolar radiofrequency (RF, 6.78 MHz). It heats the deep, collagen-rich layers of the skin through a single-use tip while cooling the skin surface by contact	MFDS: Solta Medical Korea states that Thermage holds MFDS approval; approval number and date for Thermage FLX not confirmed in our sources. FDA: 510(k) K170758, decision date 22 Sep 2017; indications include non-invasive treatment of periorbital wrinkles and, with skin vibration, temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite	Solta says there is little to no downtime and no special aftercare. Mild redness typically resolves within 24 hours. Swelling typically resolves within 5 days but can last up to several weeks. The most common effect during treatment is mild to moderate pain. Infrequent risks include burns with blisters and scabs, and possible scarring

A "clearance" is not an approval. Where the table gives a maker's own statement, it is not independent evidence. Status as of October 2026; it changes, so ask the clinic about its device.

How they differ

Technology

Ultherapy focuses ultrasound energy at set depths under the skin to create small heated (coagulation) points, without treating the skin surface. Its transducers treat at three depths: 1.5 mm (superficial dermis), 3 mm (deep dermis) and 4.5 mm (the SMAS and platysma muscle layer). Ultherapy PRIME is the newer platform. Trade news reporting a Merz announcement says full service and support for the earlier system are scheduled to end on 30 September 2027.
Thermage FLX is a non-invasive monopolar radiofrequency device. Solta calls it the fourth generation of its monopolar RF technology and says it heats the deep, collagen-rich layers of the skin, tightening existing collagen and stimulating new collagen. The energy goes through a disposable tip, and the skin surface is cooled by contact. The FLX generation added an energy-tuning algorithm (AccuREP), a vibrating handpiece and a larger tip that Solta says cuts treatment time by 25%. Solta Medical Korea says the tips are single-use medical devices for one patient only.
In Korea. The first-generation Thermage launched in 2003. Solta Medical Korea says more than 1,000 Thermage FLX units were installed in Korea by the first half of 2025.

Imaging

Ultherapy's transducers image the tissue down to 8 mm while the operator treats. The FDA cleared the imaging function to check that the transducer is in contact with the skin and to confirm the treatment depth, for example to avoid bone. Merz describes Ultherapy PRIME as microfocused ultrasound with real-time visualization (MFU-V).

The Thermage FLX sources we used do not describe imaging. Ask the clinic what the device shows during treatment.

Regulatory status

Ultherapy, US FDA. The first US authorization was a de novo order dated 11 September 2009: "a non-invasive dermatological aesthetic treatment to lift the eyebrow". 510(k) K121700 (2 October 2012) added "lift lax submental (beneath the chin) and neck tissue". K134032 (20 June 2014) added "improve lines and wrinkles of the décolleté". K233996 (22 February 2024) covers the PRIME platform. K243035 (letter of 24 February 2025; Merz announced it on 5 November 2025) added "improve the appearance of skin laxity on the abdomen, anterior arms, and posterior arms". K260618 (letter of 21 May 2026; Merz announced it on 11 August 2026) added the knees. The current cleared list is the eyebrow, under the chin and neck, the décolleté lines, the abdomen, the arms and the knees.
Thermage FLX, US FDA. 510(k) K170758, decision date 22 September 2017, Class II. For RF alone, the indications include "Non-invasive treatment of periorbital wrinkles and rhytids including upper and lower eyelids". With RF plus skin vibration, they add "Temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite", and the clearance also lists muscle-ache relief and local circulation claims. The FDA summary says non-clinical (bench) test results show substantial equivalence to the earlier Thermage CPT systems.
A clearance covers the wording in the letter. It is not a claim that a treatment lifts, for either device.
Korea (MFDS). Merz Aesthetics Korea markets Ultherapy as a focused-ultrasound stimulation system medical device, and MFDS added a décolleté indication in September 2016. Ultherapy PRIME is sold the same way, with real-time imaging. Solta Medical Korea states that Thermage, from ThermaCool TC in 2003 to the current Thermage FLX, holds US FDA and Korean MFDS approval (press release, 3 November 2025). That is the maker's statement, and the FDA record we found is a 510(k) clearance. We could not confirm the MFDS permit number or date for Ultherapy, Ultherapy PRIME or Thermage FLX.

Shots, lines and REPs

Korean clinics quote both devices in shots (샷, syat), so the price list uses one word for two devices. The makers and the papers use other words. Ultherapy papers count lines. Thermage tips are labelled in REP. The numbers below come from studies and the FDA device database. They are not recommendations, and the doctor decides the number.

Ultherapy. A Korean dermatology study counted 400 to 500 shots per face (mean 420). Korean experts suggested 600 to 800 lines for the full face and upper neck in Asian men. A paper on standard protocols describes 800 to 1,200 lines for one full-face session. An Asia Pacific pilot series of Ultherapy PRIME gave at least 650 lines per patient.
Thermage FLX. The FDA device database lists the Total Tip 4.0 cm² with 300, 600 or 900 REP, the Total Tip 3.0 cm² with 400, 600, 900 or 1,200 REP, and the Eye Tip 0.25 cm² with 225 or 450 REP. In a survey of 204 physicians in 8 Asia-Pacific countries (90 in Korea), the 600 REP and 900 REP 4 cm² tips were similarly popular. An eyelid study used 450 shots, 225 per eyelid, with the eye tip. Solta's professional page names the Total, Eye and Body tips and gives no REP counts per area.

These are different units on different devices. We found no source that equates a shot, a line or a REP of one device with another, so 600 shots on one device cannot be read as the same as 600 on the other. Ask the clinic what a shot means for the device it uses. Read our guides to Ultherapy shots and prices and Thermage shots and prices.

Downtime and sessions

Both makers describe low downtime, and these are the makers' statements (see the table). Merz presents Ultherapy as a single, personalized session. In one clinical study, photos were compared 90 days after treatment, so results build over months. Solta says one Thermage treatment is usually enough, with results appearing gradually over 2 to 6 months and lasting 1 to 2 years depending on skin condition and ageing. Solta says most treatments take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the area. A 2026 review notes that Thermage FLX is given as a single session, unlike some other RF devices given in three. The sources we used do not compare Ultherapy and Thermage head to head. Your doctor decides the number of sessions after an examination.

How clinics price them

Korean clinics price both by shot count. Because the devices and the units differ, compare a shot price only within the same device.

Published prices in this directory

The table shows the lowest and highest published regular price per treatment. Amounts and units differ, for example in shot counts, tips and areas, so check the item before you compare.

Item	Clinics in this directory	Published regular prices (lowest)	Published regular prices (highest)
Ultherapy 울쎄라	18	₩300,000 (≈ US$227) EU:GENES Skin Clinic · Eye Ultherapy 100 shots (add-on) · VAT not stated	₩5,100,000 (≈ US$3,850) DAMI Skin Clinic · Ultherapy Prime (body) 1,500 shots · VAT excluded
Thermage 써마지	13	₩890,000 (≈ US$672) DAMI Skin Clinic · Eye Thermage 225 shots · VAT excluded	₩4,500,000 (≈ US$3,400) Kleam Skin Clinic Myeongdong · Thermage FLX 900 shots · VAT excluded

Facts come from the sources listed on this page; prices from the clinics' own price lists, checked up to 29 October 2026. Prices differ in product, amount and VAT basis.

Which one to ask about

This page does not rank the devices. The doctor decides after an examination. Questions to ask the clinic:

Which device and version is it: Ultherapy or Ultherapy PRIME, Thermage FLX or an earlier Thermage?
What does one shot mean on this device (a line, a pulse, a REP), and how many shots does the price include, for which areas?
For Thermage, which tip (size and REP count)? For Ultherapy, which transducer depths?
If the clinic says the device images the tissue, what does that mean, and can the clinic show it?
How does the clinic show that the device and its tip or transducer are genuine (정품 인증, genuine-product verification)? Ask whether a new single-use Thermage tip is opened for you.
What recovery does the doctor expect, how many sessions and at what interval?
Who performs the treatment, and does the price change if the head doctor does it?
Is VAT included (부가세 별도 means VAT is charged on top), and is this a regular or an event price?

Read more on the Ultherapy and Thermage pages.

FAQ

What is the difference between Ultherapy and Thermage?

They use different technology. Ultherapy is micro-focused ultrasound from Ulthera, owned by Merz, and its transducers image the tissue. Thermage FLX is monopolar radiofrequency from Solta Medical, part of Bausch Health. The makers, cleared uses, depths or tips and shot counting differ. Korean clinics price both by shots, but the counts cannot be compared across the two.

Which one has FDA clearance?

Both have US FDA authorizations for different uses. Ultherapy began with a 2009 de novo order and now lists the eyebrow, under the chin and neck, the décolleté lines, abdomen, arms and knees. Thermage FLX was cleared by 510(k) in 2017, and its indications include periorbital wrinkles and, with skin vibration, temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite. A clearance is not a lifting claim.

Can I compare Ultherapy and Thermage shots?

No. Korean clinics count both in shots, but Ultherapy papers count lines and Thermage tips are labelled in REP. No source we read equates a shot, a line or a REP across the two devices. Compare shot counts only within the same device, and ask the clinic what a shot means for its device and which tip or transducer it uses.

Is there downtime, and how many sessions do I need?

Merz says Ultherapy has no downtime, with redness fading within hours. Solta says Thermage FLX has little to no downtime, mild redness within 24 hours and swelling that typically resolves within 5 days but can last weeks. Merz presents Ultherapy as one session, and Solta says one Thermage treatment is usually enough. These are the makers' statements. The doctor decides after an examination.

Does Ultherapy show the tissue during treatment?

Yes, according to the FDA documents. Ultherapy's transducers image the tissue down to 8 mm, and the FDA cleared that imaging function to check that the transducer is in contact with the skin and to confirm the treatment depth, for example to avoid bone. The Thermage FLX sources we used do not describe imaging. Ask the clinic what its device shows during treatment.

Sources

Prices in the tables are the regular prices that clinics in this directory publish on their own price lists, checked at each update. Facts checked on 29 October 2026. This page is information, not medical advice.

Ultherapy vs Thermage: how the ultrasound and radiofrequency devices differ