Collagen Biostimulators vs. Ultherapy: Which Works Best for Firming Skin?
Ultherapy Prime has taken the aesthetic world by storm—gaining momentum across the United States, Korea, and now sweeping across Asia and Singapore. Touted by MERZ Aesthetics as a game-changer, Ultherapy Prime is 25% faster, offers enhanced imaging, and is more comfortable for patients than previous models. With celebrity advocates such as Salma Hayek and top Korean stars like Lee Minho and Jun Ji-hyun showcasing their experience on YouTube and social media, it’s no wonder Ultherapy Prime is becoming a go-to for skin tightening.
Unlike traditional skin-lifting procedures that require incisions, downtime, and a significant recovery period, Ultherapy Prime utilises focused ultrasound to lift and tighten skin naturally. It’s the non-invasive answer to skin laxity, and with the upgraded imaging and more targeted delivery system, practitioners can now visualise the exact layers of tissue they are treating. This real-time visualisation enhances accuracy, safety, and comfort. As a result, clients are experiencing faster treatments, reduced discomfort, and extraordinary outcomes compared to earlier versions of Ultherapy.
The Benchmark for Non-Surgical Face Lifting
For years, Ultherapy has been regarded as the gold standard for non-invasive, non-surgical face lifting and contouring. It’s FDA-cleared and has been performed millions of times globally. Patients who are not ready for surgical facelifts often turn to Ultherapy for a gradual, natural-looking lift—especially in the brow, jawline, and under the chin areas.
But as the aesthetics landscape continues to evolve, collagen biostimulators have entered the market with remarkable promise. Both collagen biostimulators and Ultherapy has become increasingly popular in Singapore, Malaysia, and other parts of Asia, this leads us to a pivotal question: how does Ultherapy compare to injectable collagen biostimulators?
Understanding Collagen Biostimulators: Devices vs. Injectables
To answer this, we must first understand the classification of collagen biostimulators. These treatments fall into two major categories: devices and injectables, defined by their delivery method.
Devices, like Ultherapy Prime, use high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to deliver thermal energy deep into the skin’s foundational layers. This energy heats tissues to trigger the body’s natural collagen response by activating heat shock proteins (HSPs). The process initiates a cascade of wound healing and collagen remodelling.
Injectables, on the other hand, involve the direct placement of safe biocompatible products into the dermis or subdermis. These materials act as scaffolds, stimulating the fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin fibres over time. Depending on the product used—such as PDLLA (Poly-D,L-lactic acid), CaHA(Calcium Hydroxylapatite, or PCL (Polycaprolactone)—the effects may include subtle volume restoration, improved texture, and visible lifting.
Both methods reach deep layers, including the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), which is the foundational structure surgeons manipulate during facelifts. By stimulating collagen in this critical layer, both devices and injectables offer visible skin firming and contouring.
What Do Clinical Studies Say?
Despite the popularity of both treatment types, there are currently no head-to-head clinical studies comparing Ultherapy Prime with injectable collagen biostimulators. However, independent clinical data exists to support each modality’s effectiveness:
A 2023 study published in Polymers highlights the efficacy and biocompatibility of PDLLA-based injectables. The study demonstrated long-lasting collagen stimulation and minimal inflammatory response. These biospheres mimic natural tissue structures and gradually resorb into the body.
A separate study on HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound), including Ultherapy, found statistically significant improvement in dermal elasticity and lifting effects after a single session, especially in periorbital and jawline areas.
Together, these studies reinforce the idea that both methods effectively stimulate collagen—but through distinct mechanisms. It’s less a matter of which is “better,” and more about patient selection, anatomy, and treatment goals.
Clinical Experience with Ultherapy Prime
From our experience at Ozhean Zoey, Ultherapy Prime provides a gentle to moderate lift. The treatment excels at improving facial contours, especially along the jawline and cheek area. It's particularly suited for:
- Men and women in their 30s to 50s with early signs of laxity
- Clients seeking prevention or maintenance of facial firmness
- Individuals preferring non-invasive, no-downtime treatments
However, it’s important to manage expectations. Patients with significant sagging, thick skin, or deep folds (such as pronounced nasolabial or marionette lines) may not experience dramatic lifting. For these cases, Ultherapy can serve as a foundational treatment but often requires combination with other therapies—like collagen-stimulating injectables or threads—for optimal improvement.
Clinical Experience with Injectable Biostimulators
Injectable biostimulators offer a dual benefit: they not only trigger collagen production but also restore volume in areas that appear sunken or aged. This volumising effect is absent in Ultherapy.
In particular, patients with facial hollowness or those experiencing mid-face flattening respond extremely well to injectables. Instead of merely tightening the skin, these injectables rebuild the youthful contours of the face, creating a lifted and fuller appearance.
A key point: Ultherapy alone may exacerbate facial hollows in lean individuals. This is why injectables are often the preferred approach for such facial types. The effect is sometimes referred to as “liquid thread lift” because it mimics the lifting impact of face threads, albeit through biostimulation rather than physical suspension.
Safety and Comfort
Safety remains a top priority in aesthetics. Fortunately, both Ultherapy Prime and injectable biostimulators have well-documented safety profiles.
Ultherapy Prime has undergone extensive clinical validation. It is FDA-cleared and CE-marked, with a well-established track record of safety across over 1.5 million procedures globally. The upgraded version further reduces the risk of discomfort and inaccurate targeting due to its real-time imaging feature.
Injectables such as PCL Fillers, PDLLA Fillers and CaHA Fillers have all been studied for safety and effectiveness. Most are biodegradable, biocompatible, and absorbed by the body over time, leaving behind newly generated collagen.
Pain Comparison:
Ultherapy Prime is notably more comfortable than its predecessor due to enhanced energy modulation and targeting. While mild discomfort is still possible, most patients describe the sensation as tolerable, especially with numbing or oral analgesia. Injectables may cause a mild stinging or swelling but are similarly well-tolerated when pre-treated with topical anaesthetic.
Better Together: The Power of Collagen Synergy
Should You Combine the Two? Absolutely.
If you saw $50 and $25 on the ground, wouldn’t you pick up both? The same applies to collagen biostimulation. While many patients think they must choose between Ultherapy or injectables, the truth is they work better when used together.
Why? Because they act through different biological mechanisms:
Ultherapy delivers energy to stimulate HSPs and remodel collagen at a deep level.
Injectables build volume and structure while gradually boosting collagen through physical scaffolding. In other words, Ultherapy tightens and lifts, while injectables rebuild structure and fullness. The outcome? A more youthful, balanced, and natural-looking facial profile—without appearing overdone or “treated.”
At Ozhean Zoey, our signature approach involves layering treatments. For instance, we may start with a round of injectable collagen stimulators to restore volume and apply local anaesthetic. Subsequently, we perform Ultherapy Prime to tighten and contour over the revitalised foundation.
This two-step method not only improves comfort (thanks to anaesthesia diffusion) but also fast-tracks visible results, reduces treatment redundancy, and maximises collagen production for longer-lasting effects.
Closing Thoughts: Tailored for Your Skin Journey
In the world of aesthetics, there’s no universal “ideal” treatment—only the bespoke solution for you. Whether it’s Ultherapy Prime, collagen biostimulators, or a combination of both, your ideal treatment plan should reflect your skin’s current condition, age, expectations, and goals.
At Ozhean Zoey, we specialise in collagen-focused aesthetic solutions and pride ourselves on delivering natural, scientifically-backed results. Our medical professionals will assess your facial anatomy and recommend the most effective treatment plan—backed by technology, guided by experience, and personalised to your needs.
Ready to begin your journey to firmer, youthful skin? Book a consultation with our team and discover the power of collagen transformation today.