Compare Treatments · Depth, Pain & Genuine Machine Check
Ultherapy PRIME vs. Sofwave
1.5/3.0/4.5mm MFU-V vs. 1.5mm parallel-beam SUPERB ultrasound. Both lit on one cross-section — A solid, B dashed — with every layer either reaches outlined.
Depth chartSkin Depth Chart (Tap to Zoom) ↓ Download WebP
Side-by-Side Treatment Comparison
1 · How It Works & Maker
MHz Micro-Focused Ultrasound + Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging
Merz Aesthetics
SUPERB Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam
Sofwave Medical
2 · Skin Layers & Exact Depth
1.5/3.0/4.5mm
- Papillary Dermis (0.3–1.5mm)
- Reticular Dermis (1.5–3.0mm)
- SMAS Fibromuscular Layer (4.5mm)
1.5mm parallel
- Papillary Dermis (0.3–1.5mm)
- Reticular Dermis (1.5–3.0mm)
3 · Pain Level & Numbing
8/10
Oral analgesia 1 hour before; some clinics add pro-nox or topical numbing.
6/10
Topical numbing optional; Sofcool contact cooling at 5°C.
4 · Recovery Time & Repeat Schedule
0 hrs social downtime · tenderness 1–2 weeks
Repeat: Annual single session (12–18 months)
0–24 hrs mild redness
Repeat: Annual single session (optional 6-month top-up)
5 · Singapore 2026 Fair Price (incl. GST)
S$2,600–S$3,800
Typical median: S$3,200 · Full face & upper neck (500–800 lines; 700-line reference)
Check My Quote →S$2,600–S$3,800
Typical median: S$3,200 · Full face & submental (200–300 pulses; 250-pulse reference)
Check My Quote →6 · How to Spot a Fake / Clone Machine
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
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
Goes deeper: Ultherapy PRIME (SMAS Fibromuscular Layer)
Less painful: Sofwave (6/10 vs 8/10)
Same SG median: S$3,200
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
- Halley Medical Aesthetics
Orchard Road · Tier A
Comparison Matrix
| 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 |
Pillar II · Singapore 2026 Fair Price
Audit Both Quotes
Protocol A · Full face & upper neck (500–800 lines; 700-line reference)
Ultherapy PRIME
Fair S$2,600–S$3,800 · median S$3,200
Full-face Ultherapy under ~S$2,200 usually means fewer lines, a non-PRIME (or clone) machine, or partial-area treatment.
Audit Your Ultherapy Quote →Protocol B · Full face & submental (200–300 pulses; 250-pulse reference)
Sofwave
Fair S$2,600–S$3,800 · median S$3,200
Full-face Sofwave far below S$2,100 suggests under-pulsing or a partial-face treatment.
Audit Your Sofwave Quote →SGD incl. 9% GST · medians are per each treatment's own reference dose, so compare them as typical courses, not like-for-like units · editorial benchmarks, not clinic tariffs.
Clinic Dossier · Singapore
Matched Singapore Clinics
Ultherapy PRIME
- Halley Medical Aesthetics
Orchard Road · Tier A
Sofwave · no listed tariff yet — most transparent practices
- Halley Medical Aesthetics
Orchard Road · Tier A
- V Medical Aesthetics & Laser Clinic (Somerset)
Somerset / Orchard · Tier A
- Bio Aesthetic Laser Clinic (Palais Renaissance)
Orchard Road · Tier B
Clinic Dossier · Compare
Compare Clinics With Ultherapy PRIME or Sofwave
Clinics in the dossier that advertise Ultherapy PRIME or Sofwave. Advertised is not inspected: ask to see the console's serial plate.
-
Halley Medical Aesthetics
Singapore · Medical Aesthetic Clinic
Somerset Exit D · 54 mTier ALists: Ultherapy PRIME
-
Lienjang Clinic (Gangnam Flagship)
Seoul · Medical Aesthetic Clinic
Gangnam-gu, SeoulTier BLists: Ultherapy / Shurink Universe
Section V · Before Ultherapy PRIME or Sofwave
Pre-Procedure Washout & Post-Procedure Barrier Support
Typical clinic guidance for heat, laser or needle treatments: pause these actives beforehand.
- Retinoidstop 5–7 days before
- Exfoliating Acidstop 3–5 days before
- Vitamin C / Antioxidantstop 2–3 days before
- Spicule / Microneedlestop 5–7 days before
After the session · Recovery & photoprotection
- Cicaplast Baume B5+ Soothing Therapeutic CreamLa Roche-Posay · Barrier / Peptide / Hydrator
- Atobarrier 365 CreamAestura · Barrier / Peptide / Hydrator
- Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++SKIN1004 · Photoprotection
Editorial guidance from common clinic practice, not medical advice: your treating doctor's pre- and post-care instructions come first.
How It Works
HIFU Focal Points vs. Monopolar RF Bulk Heating
Field Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference in skin depth and mechanism between Ultherapy PRIME and Sofwave?
Ultherapy PRIME (MHz Micro-Focused Ultrasound + Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging) works at 1.5mm Dermis · 3.0mm Deep Dermis · 4.5mm SMAS Fibromuscular Layer — Papillary Dermis (0.3–1.5mm), Reticular Dermis (1.5–3.0mm), SMAS Fibromuscular Layer (4.5mm). Focused ultrasound creates thermal coagulation points (TCPs) at fixed focal depths, visualised in real time to avoid bone and nerves. Sofwave (SUPERB Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam) works at Mid-Dermis Parallel Cylinder Zone 1.5mm (spares SMAS & subcutaneous fat) — Papillary Dermis (0.3–1.5mm), Reticular Dermis (1.5–3.0mm). Seven parallel ultrasound beams create cylindrical thermal zones at 1.5mm in the mid-dermis, with integrated Sofcool epidermal cooling. Ultherapy PRIME reaches the deeper layer (SMAS Fibromuscular Layer).
Which is more painful or has longer downtime: Ultherapy PRIME or Sofwave?
Ultherapy PRIME: pain 8/10 — Oral analgesia 1 hour before; some clinics add pro-nox or topical numbing. Downtime 0 hrs social downtime · tenderness 1–2 weeks; interval Annual single session (12–18 months). Sofwave: pain 6/10 — Topical numbing optional; Sofcool contact cooling at 5°C. Downtime 0–24 hrs mild redness; interval Annual single session (optional 6-month top-up). Sofwave is the gentler of the two on Beauty.net's clinical pain index.
How much does Ultherapy PRIME vs. Sofwave cost in Singapore in 2026 and which should I choose?
Beauty.net's 2026 Singapore benchmarks (SGD incl. 9% GST, editorial percentiles rather than clinic tariffs): Ultherapy PRIME S$2,600–S$3,800, median S$3,200 (Full face & upper neck (500–800 lines; 700-line reference)); Sofwave S$2,600–S$3,800, median S$3,200 (Full face & submental (200–300 pulses; 250-pulse reference)). Choose by indication rather than price — Ultherapy PRIME: Brow lift, jawline and submental lifting, décolletage lines; Sofwave: Fine lines, brow lift, jawline and submental laxity, acne scars. A doctor's assessment of your skin decides which layer needs treating.