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Laser & Energy Devices

Laser & Energy Devices

A curated category of laser and energy-based technologies for lifting, resurfacing, and targeted correction.

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Recommended Topics: Laser & Energy Devices

Diode Laser

Diode Laser

Diode laser treatment articles for targeted skin and hair concerns.

EMFACE

EMFACE

EMFACE lifting and facial muscle stimulation treatment articles.

Endolift

Endolift

Endolift laser-assisted lifting treatment articles.

Linear LIFU

Linear LIFU

Linear LIFU ultrasound tightening and lifting treatment articles.

Mediostar Laser

Mediostar Laser

Mediostar laser treatment articles for targeted skin and hair concerns.

Pico

Pico

This Pico Laser category at Drema Clinic includes doctor-guided knowledge on assessment, treatment planning, expected outcomes, and aftercare for individualized decision-making.

Sylfirm

Sylfirm

This Sylfirm X category at Drema Clinic includes doctor-guided knowledge on assessment, treatment planning, expected outcomes, and aftercare for individualized decision-making.

Ulthera Prime

Ulthera Prime

Ulthera Prime focused ultrasound lifting treatment articles.

Yag Laser

Yag Laser

Yag laser treatment articles for pigmentation and vascular concerns.

All Articles

30 articles in this category

Laser & Energy Devices

What Is the PicoSure Program, and How Does It Help With Skin Concerns?

The PicoSure program is one of the Picosecond Laser technologies, using a 755-nanometer wavelength with relatively good specificity for pigment in the skin. It's therefore commonly considered for skin concerns related to pigmentation and skin texture — such as dullness from sun damage, melasma, freckles, redness, enlarged pores, acne scars, mild fine lines, and in some cases tattoo removal. Through its ultra-short picosecond pulse energy delivery mechanism, this laser can break down pigment particles and stimulate collagen production using relatively lower energy compared to some other lasers, generally resulting in less skin irritation than lasers that create deep wounds. Most side effects are mild redness that resolves on its own within a few days. However, the results and suitability of this procedure still depend on each individual's specific skin concerns, and should always be assessed by a physician before deciding to proceed.

Facial Concerns

The Starting Point: Why Patients Get Confused About Which Technology to Choose

In acne scar treatment, patients may have heard of several technologies, including the SylfirmX program, the PicoSure program, and collagen booster injections. However, each technology has a different mechanism of action and a different area of strength — they are not always interchangeable. In this article, Dr. Punyanun explains the mechanism behind each technology, which scar types each is best suited for, and how combining them can lead to more comprehensive results.

Thread Lift

The Facelift Protocols Doctors Favour in 2026: From "One Technology" to "Layered Planning"

Non-surgical facelift practice in 2026 has moved away from relying on a single "best" technology and toward what many clinicians now call the "Precision Era" — a layered protocol approach built around each patient's dominant cause of facial ageing. Doctors increasingly combine modalities that work at different tissue depths: HIFU energy to tighten the deep SMAS layer, thread lifts to mechanically reposition sagging tissue, biostimulators or fillers to restore lost volume, and neuromodulators to fine-tune muscle balance. A retrospective study at Taichung Veterans General Hospital involving 58 patients found that combining thread lift and HIFU across three sessions spaced 3–6 months apart produced significantly better outcomes, and the order in which the two treatments were performed did not affect the final result. Separately, an analysis of over 111,948 thread lift cases from a large Tokyo clinic group (2020–2024) found that more than 60% of patients combined thread lifting with fillers or neuromodulators — evidence that multimodal, combination treatment has become the new standard rather than an exception.

Filler

Combination Treatments for Better Results: What the Evidence Says About Pairing Biostimulators With Other Procedures

A systematic review published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in 2025 followed PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combining collagen biostimulators — Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA), and Polycaprolactone (PCL) — with other treatments, including botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, and energy-based devices such as HIFU, fractional lasers, and microneedling. Of 1,237 studies initially screened, 29 met the inclusion criteria. The review found that combining CaHA or PLLA with energy-based devices produced notable improvements in skin texture, elasticity, and contouring, particularly in areas showing signs of ageing. Most side effects were mild — erythema, bruising, and nodules — occurring in 15-30% of cases, while severe complications such as granulomas or vascular occlusion were rare but genuinely documented. However, the current evidence base has significant limitations, including heterogeneous methodology and a lack of molecular understanding of the underlying synergistic mechanisms.

Laser & Energy Devices

EMFACE vs Ulthera Prime: What's the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

EMFACE and Ulthera Prime are often assumed to be interchangeable facial-lifting technologies, but they actually work through different mechanisms and target different tissue layers. EMFACE uses RF combined with HIFES to strengthen facial muscles, while Ulthera Prime uses MFU-V to stimulate collagen in the skin and SMAS. Which to choose depends on whether your primary issue lies in the muscle layer or the skin layer.

Laser & Energy Devices

Can Ulthera Prime and EMFACE Be Done on the Same Day?

This question should be assessed and decided by the treating physician on an individual basis, since Ulthera Prime and EMFACE stimulate tissue through entirely different mechanisms — muscle versus skin/SMAS. Whether they can be done on the same day depends on several factors, including current skin condition, the body's reaction to each type of energy, and the physician's clinical judgment.

Laser & Energy Devices

After Ulthera, Do You Still Need a Thread Lift?

Ulthera (HIFU) and thread lifting work through different mechanisms at different tissue depths, so choosing between them isn't always necessary. Ulthera uses focused ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen at the SMAS layer, producing gradual, incision-free tightening. Thread lift, by contrast, mechanically repositions sagging tissue, producing immediate visible results. Whether you need a thread lift after Ulthera depends on whether your main concern is generalised skin laxity — which Ulthera alone can usually address — or clearly localised structural sagging, such as a dropped lower cheek or deep nasolabial folds, which typically benefits from adding threads. A retrospective study at Taichung Veterans General Hospital involving 58 patients found that combining thread lift with HIFU produced significantly better lifting outcomes than either treatment alone, and the order in which the two were performed made no difference to the final result.

Laser & Energy Devices

How EMFACE and Ulthera Prime Work Together: Understanding Multi-Layer Facial Rejuvenation

EMFACE and Ulthera Prime work through entirely different mechanisms and target different tissue layers of the face. EMFACE uses Radiofrequency (RF) combined with HIFES (High-Intensity Facial Electrical Stimulation) to strengthen and tone the facial muscles from within, while Ulthera Prime uses Microfocused Ultrasound with Visualization (MFU-V) to stimulate new collagen and elastin production in the dermis and SMAS. Used together, the two technologies complement each other comprehensively — tightening the muscular "support structure" while rejuvenating the "outer covering" of skin at the same time. This article explains the mechanism of each technology and the scientific rationale for why combination treatment can address facial rejuvenation more comprehensively than either alone.

Laser & Energy Devices

EMFACE and Ulthera Prime Contraindications: What Every Patient Should Know First

Both EMFACE (BTL's HIFES + Radiofrequency technology) and Ulthera Prime (Merz's HIFU platform) are well-established, non-surgical facelift technologies with strong safety records — but each carries specific contraindications that must be screened for before treatment. EMFACE should not be used on patients with pacemakers or other implanted electronic devices, metal implants in the treatment area, active infection in the treatment area, pregnant or breastfeeding patients, those who had recent surgery in the treatment area within the past 3 months or with incompletely healed wounds, or patients with a current or past history of skin cancer, other cancers, or pre-malignant moles. Ulthera Prime should not be used on patients with open wounds or lesions in the treatment area, severe or cystic acne in the treatment area, or active electronic implants such as pacemakers or defibrillators in the treatment area. It's also not recommended directly over areas with dermal filler, breast implants, or existing keloids, and requires extra caution in patients on anticoagulant medication. Both technologies are also treated with precaution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, even without direct evidence of harm.

Laser & Energy Devices

Why EMFACE Can't Replace Ulthera

The short answer is **no**. EMFACE and Ulthera work through entirely different mechanisms and target different tissue layers of the face. EMFACE stimulates facial muscles via RF and HIFES, while Ulthera stimulates collagen in the skin and SMAS via MFU-V. Using EMFACE instead of Ulthera cannot address issues stemming from collagen decline in the skin, and conversely, Ulthera cannot replace the muscle-strengthening effect that EMFACE provides.

Key Benefits of Laser & Energy Devices

  • Helps match technology to concern, instead of using one device for every case.
  • Explains energy mechanisms and target skin layers in practical terms.
  • Supports structured combination planning for multi-layer skin goals.

Comparison

ItemBest forType
Ulthera PrimeDeep lifting supportFocused ultrasound
Sylfirm XRedness, texture, and acne scar concernsRF microneedling
Pico LaserPigment and tone correctionPicosecond laser

Frequently Asked Questions

What should guide the choice of device?

Device choice should be based on primary concern, target skin layer, acceptable downtime, and shared treatment goals with your physician.

Can multiple technologies be combined in one plan?

Yes, in many cases. A structured sequence and interval plan are important for safety and outcome consistency.

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