XERF Lifting Series Part 3: Differences Between XERF, Thermage, and Density RF Lifting Devices

In the previous article, we discussed:

The principles of XERF lifting

Lifting design

Retaining ligaments, which serve as lifting points.

During lifting consultations, many people ask questions like:

‘Is Thermage better?’ ‘Is XERF better?’ ‘Is Density the better choice?’

To get straight to the point, it is difficult to say that one device is unconditionally better than the others.

Because each device has slightly different energy delivery methods and characteristics,

the best choice can vary depending on the patient's skin condition and degree of sagging.

Today, we will briefly summarize the characteristics of three representative radiofrequency (RF) lifting devices:

Thermage

Density

XERF

Common Principles of Radiofrequency (RF) Lifting

All three are lifting devices that utilize radiofrequency (RF) energy.

When RF energy is delivered to the skin, heat is generated by the tissue's electrical resistance.

As this heat acts on the collagen inside the skin, it leads to:

Collagen contraction

Fibroblast activation

Generation of new collagen

Through these processes, skin elasticity is improved.

In other words,

the basic mechanism of action is the same for all three devices.

The differences lie in their energy delivery methods and structural designs.

1️⃣ Thermage

Thermage is the oldest monopolar RF lifting device.

Its main characteristics are:

Monopolar RF

Dermis-focused heating

Overall skin tightening

With a vast accumulation of clinical experience and data,

it is a representative RF lifting device that has been used for a long time.

2️⃣ Density

Density is an RF lifting device that can utilize two different types of tips.

Classic Tip

The Classic Tip uses monopolar RF,

and its mechanism of action is almost identical to that of Thermage.

It induces collagen contraction and regeneration, offering expected improvements in skin elasticity.

However, clinically, there are cases where the duration of the effect is somewhat shorter than that of Thermage.

High Tip

The High Tip features a structure where both monopolar RF and bipolar RF work together.

Because of this,

the pain is relatively mild,

and it can also affect the shallow dermal layer.

In some patients,

surface skin improvements such as

enhanced skin texture

and reduced pore size

may appear relatively quickly.

3️⃣ XERF

XERF is characterized as a dual-frequency monopolar RF device.

While conventional monopolar RF devices often use a single frequency,

XERF is designed to use

6.78 MHz

and 2 MHz

simultaneously.

Through this design,

it can be understood as a structure that simultaneously targets

dermal collagen remodeling

and heating that reaches deeper tissues.

What Matters Most When Choosing a Lifting Device

Many people ask,

‘Which device is the best?’

but in reality, there are factors more important than the device itself.

For example, the appropriate approach can vary depending on:

Skin thickness

Fat distribution

Degree of sagging

Facial structure

Additionally, in lifting procedures,

treatment design elements such as

Lifting points

Shot placement

Energy density

are extremely important.

Therefore, even with the same device,

the results can differ depending on how the procedure is performed.

Summary

The characteristics of these representative RF lifting devices can be summarized as follows:

However, in actual lifting procedures, factors such as

Facial structure analysis

Setting lifting points

Treatment design

can be more crucial than the device itself.

In the next article,

under the topic ‘When do the effects of XERF lifting appear?’,

we will explain the timing of lifting effects,

immediate vs. delayed effects,

and the duration of the lifting results.