Compare Treatments · Depth, Pain & Genuine Machine Check

Device & Skin-Layer Depth Matrix — 12 protocols

Where each energy device and injectable actually works — from the 0.3mm basement membrane to the 4.5mm SMAS — with pain, downtime, evidence-based intervals and how to spot a clone machine. Click a column or a device to inspect it.

Compare vs.

Ultherapy vs. Thermage Ultherapy vs. Sofwave Sylfirm X vs. Potenza Pico vs. Sylfirm X Fotona 4D vs. Ultherapy Rejuran vs. Profhilo Rejuran vs. Juvelook Profhilo vs. Skinvive

Anatomical Skin-Layer Depth · 0.3 / 1.5 / 3.0 / 4.5mm SMAS · click a column

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Cross-sectional skin diagram showing epidermis 0.1 to 0.3mm, dermis 1.5mm and 3.0mm, and SMAS at 4.5mm, with penetration depths of 12 protocols: Pico laser, Sylfirm X, Thermage FLX, Ultherapy PRIME, Sofwave, Potenza, Fotona 4D, Rejuran, Profhilo, Botox, Juvelook and Skinvive — Plate III — Aesthetic skin-layer depth for 12 protocols: 7 energy devices (Pico, Sylfirm X, Thermage FLX, Ultherapy PRIME, Sofwave, Potenza, Fotona 4D) and 5 injectables (Rejuran, Profhilo, Botox, Juvelook, Skinvive).

Merz Ultherapy PRIME (MFU-V)

Ultherapy PRIME

Focused ultrasound creates thermal coagulation points (TCPs) at fixed focal depths, visualised in real time to avoid bone and nerves.

IndicationsBrow lift, jawline and submental lifting, décolletage lines

Audit a Ultherapy PRIME quote · SG median S$3,200 →

Energy / Modality: MHz Micro-Focused Ultrasound + Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging
Target Anatomical Layer: Papillary Dermis 0.3–1.5mm
Reticular Dermis 1.5–3.0mm
SMAS Fibromuscular Layer Fibromuscular · 4.5mm
Clinical Pain Index: 8/10; Oral analgesia 1 hour before; some clinics add pro-nox or topical numbing.
Social Downtime: 0 hrs social downtime · tenderness 1–2 weeks
Evidence-Based Interval: Annual single session (12–18 months)

Counterfeit / Clone Machine Warning

PRIME displays a live ultrasound image (DeepSEE visualisation) on screen during every line. Clone 'HIFU' devices fire blind. Ask to see the transducer's Merz label and remaining line count before and after.

✓Live ultrasound imaging on screen
✓Merz-labelled transducers with chip-tracked line counter
✓Line count shown before and after treatment

Matched Accredited Clinics · Ultherapy PRIME Full Dossier →

Halley Medical Aesthetics
Orchard Road · Tier A

Comparison Matrix

Select a row to inspect

Device	Energy / Modality	Target Layer	Pain	Downtime	Interval	SG Median
Pico Laser Quanta · Candela · Cynosure · Fotona	1064nm/532nm Picosecond Nd:YAG	Epidermis 0.1–0.3mm (532nm) · Papillary Dermis 0.3–1.5mm (1064nm / MLA)	2/10	0 hrs (toning) · 24–48 hrs erythema (fractional)	Every 2–4 weeks × 5–10 (toning) · every 4 weeks × 3–4 (fractional)	S$350
Sylfirm X Viol Co., Ltd. (Korea)	300μm–4.0mm Bipolar Pulsed/CW RF	Basement Membrane 0.3mm (PW) · Papillary & Reticular Dermis to 3.0mm+ (CW)	5/10	24–48 hrs erythema · pinpoint marks 2–3 days	Every 4 weeks × 3–5	S$680
Thermage FLX Solta Medical (Bausch Health)	6.78 MHz Monopolar RF	Reticular Dermis 1.5–3.0mm · Fibrous Septae to ~4.0mm	6/10	0–24 hrs mild erythema	Annual single session (12–18 months)	S$3,500
Ultherapy PRIME Merz Aesthetics	MHz Micro-Focused Ultrasound + Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging	1.5mm Dermis · 3.0mm Deep Dermis · 4.5mm SMAS Fibromuscular Layer	8/10	0 hrs social downtime · tenderness 1–2 weeks	Annual single session (12–18 months)	S$3,200
Sofwave Sofwave Medical	SUPERB Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam	Mid-Dermis Parallel Cylinder Zone 1.5mm (spares SMAS & subcutaneous fat)	6/10	0–24 hrs mild redness	Annual single session (optional 6-month top-up)	S$3,200
Potenza Cynosure	4-Mode Monopolar/Bipolar RF Microneedling	0.5mm–4.0mm Dual-Depth (Tiger Tip treats two dermal depths per pass)	6/10	24–72 hrs erythema · pinpoint marks	Every 4–6 weeks × 3	S$850
Fotona 4D Fotona	2940nm Er:YAG + 1064nm Nd:YAG (4 modes)	0.1mm Epidermal Peel · 1.0–3.0mm Bulk Dermal Heating · Intraoral Mucosal Vector	4/10	0–24 hrs (SupErficial: 2–3 days fine peeling)	Every 4–6 weeks × 3, then every 6 months	S$750
Rejuran Healer PharmaResearch (Korea)	Intradermal PN (Polynucleotide 2%)	Papillary Dermis 0.5–1.5mm (intradermal blebs)	7/10	3–5 days micro-bumps / subdermal papules (gun) · 1–2 days (manual)	Every 3–4 weeks × 3, then maintenance every 6 months	S$650
Profhilo IBSA Derma (Switzerland)	Intradermal PN / BAP Hybrid HA	Deep Dermis / Superficial Subcutaneous ~2.5–3.5mm (BAP depots)	3/10	24–48 hrs small injection bumps	2 sessions 4 weeks apart, then every 6 months	S$950
Botulinum Toxin Merz · AbbVie (Allergan) · Ipsen / Galderma	Botulinum Toxin Type A Neuromodulator	Intramuscular (Masseter / Frontalis / Corrugator >4.5mm) · Intradermal Micro-Botox (0.8–1.2mm)	3/10	0 hrs · pinpoint bumps for 15–30 minutes	Every 3–4 months (masseter 4–6 months)	S$650
Juvelook / Lenisna Vaim Co. (Korea)	PDLLA + Non-Crosslinked HA Biostimulator	Papillary to Reticular Dermis 1.0–1.8mm (Juvelook 50mg) · Subdermal 2.5–4.0mm (Lenisna 200mg)	5/10	1–3 days micro-papules	Every 4–6 weeks × 2–3, then yearly	S$780
Skinvive / Belotero Revive AbbVie (Allergan) · Merz	Microdroplet Intradermal HA (+ Glycerol)	Superficial Intradermal Microdroplet Depot 0.8–1.2mm	4/10	24–48 hrs small bumps / redness	Every 6 months	S$980

Protocol Directory · Depth, Downtime, Clinics & Clone Checks

All 12 Protocols, Device by Device

Showing 12 of 12 protocols

Pico Laser →532 / 1064nm

LaserTo Papillary DermisDowntime: None4 listed clinics

0 hrs (toning) · 24–48 hrs erythema (fractional)

Ask which platform and wavelength is used. Genuine systems display the manufacturer logo, serial plate and HSA medical-device registration; generic 'pico' Q-switched handpieces fire nanosecond, not picosecond, pulses.

✓ Manufacturer serial plate on the console ✓ HSA device registration listed by the clinic ✓ Picosecond pulse width shown on the treatment screen

Sylfirm X →0.3–4.0mm RF

RadiofrequencyTo Reticular DermisDowntime: 1–3 days1 listed clinic

24–48 hrs erythema · pinpoint marks 2–3 days

Genuine Sylfirm X consoles carry a Viol serial number and use sealed, gold-plated 25-pin cartridges. Ask to see the serial and the sealed cartridge before the needle is attached.

✓ Viol serial number on the console ✓ Sealed single-use gold-plated cartridge ✓ PW and CW modes selectable on screen

Thermage FLX →6.78 MHz bulk

RadiofrequencyTo Subcutaneous FatDowntime: Up to 24 h0 listed clinics

0–24 hrs mild erythema

Each Total Tip 4.0 ships sealed with a Solta holographic authenticity label. Insist the tip is unsealed in front of you and that the rep counter reads zero before the first pulse.

✓ Solta holographic seal on the tip packaging ✓ Rep counter at 0 on the FLX screen ✓ Tip discarded after your session

Ultherapy PRIME →1.5/3.0/4.5mm

Ultrasound (HIFU)To SMASDowntime: None2 listed clinics

0 hrs social downtime · tenderness 1–2 weeks

✓ Live ultrasound imaging on screen ✓ Merz-labelled transducers with chip-tracked line counter ✓ Line count shown before and after treatment

Sofwave →1.5mm parallel

Ultrasound (HIFU)To Reticular DermisDowntime: Up to 24 h0 listed clinics

0–24 hrs mild redness

Genuine Sofwave consoles use the SUPERB applicator with integrated Sofcool cooling and show a pulse counter. Ask to see the pulse count before and after treatment.

✓ Sofwave-branded console & applicator ✓ Sofcool cooling active ✓ Pulse count shown before and after

Potenza →0.5–4.0mm RF

RadiofrequencyTo Reticular DermisDowntime: 1–3 days0 listed clinics

24–72 hrs erythema · pinpoint marks

Potenza consoles carry a Cynosure serial and use sealed, single-use tips. Ask which tip (Tiger, CP or Fusion) the quoted price includes.

✓ Cynosure serial on the console ✓ Sealed single-use tip ✓ Tip type written on the quote

Fotona 4D →0.1–3.0mm Er/Nd

LaserTo Reticular DermisDowntime: Up to 24 h1 listed clinic

0–24 hrs (SupErficial: 2–3 days fine peeling)

A genuine 4D session uses the intraoral SmoothLiftin handpiece (Step 1) and all four modes. Ask to see the Fotona console and which steps the price covers.

✓ Fotona console (SP Dynamis / StarWalker) ✓ Intraoral step included ✓ All 4 modes in 45–60 minutes

Rejuran Healer →PN · 0.5–1.5mm

InjectableTo Papillary DermisDowntime: 3+ days1 listed clinic

3–5 days micro-bumps / subdermal papules (gun) · 1–2 days (manual)

Request the sealed 2ml syringe box and confirm the lot number and expiry. The full 2ml should be injected undiluted — ask directly whether saline or HA is mixed in.

✓ Sealed PharmaResearch box with lot & expiry ✓ Syringe opened in front of you ✓ Full 2ml, undiluted

Profhilo →BAP · 2.5–3.5mm

InjectableTo Subcutaneous FatDowntime: 1–3 days1 listed clinic

24–48 hrs small injection bumps

Each authentic box carries a scannable QR / lot code from the authorised Singapore distributor (NeoAsia). Ask the doctor to scan it with you before opening.

✓ Box QR code scanned in front of you ✓ IBSA lot number and expiry match ✓ Syringe unopened until the procedure starts

Botulinum Toxin →IM >4.5mm

InjectableTo SMASDowntime: None0 listed clinics

0 hrs · pinpoint bumps for 15–30 minutes

Ask to see the brand, lot and expiry on the vial and the dilution volume. Grey-market and counterfeit toxin vials circulate online; Singapore clinics should only use HSA-registered product. Dysport units are not interchangeable with Botox or Xeomin units.

✓ HSA-registered brand, lot and expiry on the vial ✓ Dilution volume stated ✓ Units recorded in your notes

Juvelook / Lenisna →1.0–4.0mm

InjectableTo Subcutaneous FatDowntime: 1–3 days0 listed clinics

1–3 days micro-papules

Ask to see the sealed vial, the reconstitution volume and the vortex-hydration step. Nodules are more likely when PDLLA is under-hydrated or injected too superficially.

✓ Sealed vial opened in front of you ✓ Reconstitution volume stated (6–8ml) ✓ Vortex-hydrated before injection

Skinvive / Belotero Revive →0.8–1.2mm

InjectableTo Papillary DermisDowntime: 1–3 days0 listed clinics

24–48 hrs small bumps / redness

Check the syringe brand, lot and expiry, and that it is opened in front of you. Ask whether the quote covers 1ml or the usual 2ml.

✓ Sealed syringe opened in front of you ✓ Lot & expiry match the box ✓ 2ml quoted for both cheeks

How It Works

How These Treatments Work in the Skin

Figure · 532 nm vs. 1064 nm pigment lasersQ-switched (nanosecond) and pico (picosecond) lasers both use 532 nm and 1064 nm. The shorter pico pulse breaks pigment into finer fragments, mainly by pressure (photoacoustic) effect, and macrophages clear them over the following weeks. Illustrative: layer thickness and beam reach are not to scale.

Figure · Ultherapy (HIFU) vs. Thermage (monopolar RF)HIFU places rows of small thermal coagulation points at set depths of 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm, the last in the SMAS. Monopolar RF heats a broad volume of dermis evenly instead. Focal depths per the Ultherapy transducer specifications (4 / 7 / 10 MHz); layer thickness illustrative.

Figure · RF microneedling vs. polynucleotide & HA skinboostersRF microneedling heats the dermis through needle tips; polynucleotide (PN / PDRN) and hyaluronic-acid boosters are placed as microdroplets in the dermis. Both depend on the skin’s own repair, so results build over weeks. Needle depth range is typical of current platforms; illustrative, not to scale.

Field Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

Which aesthetic devices reach the SMAS layer?

Only micro-focused ultrasound reaches the 4.5mm SMAS fibromuscular layer used in surgical facelifts: Ultherapy PRIME (1.5mm Dermis · 3.0mm Deep Dermis · 4.5mm SMAS Fibromuscular Layer); Botulinum Toxin (Intramuscular (Masseter / Frontalis / Corrugator >4.5mm) · Intradermal Micro-Botox (0.8–1.2mm)). Radiofrequency microneedling and lasers work in the epidermis and dermis.

What is the difference between energy devices and skin-booster injectables?

Energy devices (Pico, Sylfirm X, Thermage, Ultherapy, Sofwave, Potenza, Fotona 4D) heat or disrupt tissue at a set depth to trigger remodelling. Injectables (Rejuran, Profhilo, Botox, Juvelook, Skinvive) place a product — polynucleotides, hyaluronic acid, PDLLA or toxin — at a chosen depth.

How do I know a clinic is using a genuine machine?

Ask to see the manufacturer serial plate and the HSA device registration, check that the treatment screen shows the genuine parameters (line count, tip shots, pulse width), and for injectables ask for the sealed box and lot number opened in front of you. Each device guide lists its own checks.