Compare Treatments · Depth, Pain & Genuine Machine Check
Fotona 4D vs. Ultherapy PRIME
4-step intraoral + Er:YAG / Nd:YAG laser vs. SMAS ultrasound lifting. 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
2940nm Er:YAG + 1064nm Nd:YAG (4 modes)
Fotona
MHz Micro-Focused Ultrasound + Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging
Merz Aesthetics
2 · Skin Layers & Exact Depth
0.1–3.0mm Er/Nd
- Epidermis (0.1–0.3mm)
- Papillary Dermis (0.3–1.5mm)
- Reticular Dermis (1.5–3.0mm)
1.5/3.0/4.5mm
- Papillary Dermis (0.3–1.5mm)
- Reticular Dermis (1.5–3.0mm)
- SMAS Fibromuscular Layer (4.5mm)
3 · Pain Level & Numbing
4/10
None required; Piano mode is felt as deep warmth.
8/10
Oral analgesia 1 hour before; some clinics add pro-nox or topical numbing.
4 · Recovery Time & Repeat Schedule
0–24 hrs (SupErficial: 2–3 days fine peeling)
Repeat: Every 4–6 weeks × 3, then every 6 months
0 hrs social downtime · tenderness 1–2 weeks
Repeat: Annual single session (12–18 months)
5 · Singapore 2026 Fair Price (incl. GST)
S$580–S$980
Typical median: S$750 · Per full 4-step session (45–60 min, doctor-performed)
Check My Quote →S$2,600–S$3,800
Typical median: S$3,200 · Full face & upper neck (500–800 lines; 700-line reference)
Check My Quote →6 · How to Spot a Fake / Clone Machine
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
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
Goes deeper: Ultherapy PRIME (SMAS Fibromuscular Layer)
Less painful: Fotona 4D (4/10 vs 8/10)
Lower median per session: Fotona 4D (S$750 vs S$3,200)
Fotona 4D Pro · StarWalker MaQX
Fotona 4D
SmoothLiftin tightens the oral mucosa from inside; FRAC3 and Piano Nd:YAG deliver bulk dermal heating; SupErficial Er:YAG peels about 0.1mm of epidermis.
IndicationsNasolabial folds, jowls, texture, early laxity
Audit a Fotona 4D quote · SG median S$750 →- Energy / Modality
- 2940nm Er:YAG + 1064nm Nd:YAG (4 modes)
- Target Anatomical Layer
- Epidermis 0.1–0.3mm
Papillary Dermis 0.3–1.5mm
Reticular Dermis 1.5–3.0mm - Clinical Pain Index
- 4/10
- None required; Piano mode is felt as deep warmth.
- Social Downtime
- 0–24 hrs (SupErficial: 2–3 days fine peeling)
- Evidence-Based Interval
- Every 4–6 weeks × 3, then every 6 months
Counterfeit / Clone Machine Warning
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
- V Medical Aesthetics & Laser Clinic (Somerset)
Somerset / Orchard · 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 · Per full 4-step session (45–60 min, doctor-performed)
Fotona 4D
Fair S$580–S$980 · median S$750
A 'Fotona 4D trial' far below S$420 usually skips Step 1 (intraoral SmoothLiftin) or runs one or two modes in 15 minutes.
Audit Your Fotona 4D Quote →Protocol B · 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 →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
Fotona 4D
- V Medical Aesthetics & Laser Clinic (Somerset)
Somerset / Orchard · Tier A
Ultherapy PRIME
- Halley Medical Aesthetics
Orchard Road · Tier A
Clinic Dossier · Compare
Compare Clinics With Fotona 4D or Ultherapy PRIME
Clinics in the dossier that advertise Fotona 4D or Ultherapy PRIME. 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
-
Bio Aesthetic Laser Clinic (Palais Renaissance)
Singapore · Medical Aesthetic Clinic
Orchard Exit 11 · 292 mTier BLists: Fotona StarWalker MaQX Pico Laser
-
Lienjang Clinic (Gangnam Flagship)
Seoul · Medical Aesthetic Clinic
Gangnam-gu, SeoulTier BLists: Ultherapy / Shurink Universe
Section V · Before Fotona 4D or Ultherapy PRIME
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 Fotona 4D and Ultherapy PRIME?
Fotona 4D (2940nm Er:YAG + 1064nm Nd:YAG (4 modes)) works at 0.1mm Epidermal Peel · 1.0–3.0mm Bulk Dermal Heating · Intraoral Mucosal Vector — Epidermis (0.1–0.3mm), Papillary Dermis (0.3–1.5mm), Reticular Dermis (1.5–3.0mm). SmoothLiftin tightens the oral mucosa from inside; FRAC3 and Piano Nd:YAG deliver bulk dermal heating; SupErficial Er:YAG peels about 0.1mm of epidermis. 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. Ultherapy PRIME reaches the deeper layer (SMAS Fibromuscular Layer).
Which is more painful or has longer downtime: Fotona 4D or Ultherapy PRIME?
Fotona 4D: pain 4/10 — None required; Piano mode is felt as deep warmth. Downtime 0–24 hrs (SupErficial: 2–3 days fine peeling); interval Every 4–6 weeks × 3, then every 6 months. 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). Fotona 4D is the gentler of the two on Beauty.net's clinical pain index.
How much does Fotona 4D vs. Ultherapy PRIME 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): Fotona 4D S$580–S$980, median S$750 (Per full 4-step session (45–60 min, doctor-performed)); Ultherapy PRIME S$2,600–S$3,800, median S$3,200 (Full face & upper neck (500–800 lines; 700-line reference)). Choose by indication rather than price — Fotona 4D: Nasolabial folds, jowls, texture, early laxity; Ultherapy PRIME: Brow lift, jawline and submental lifting, décolletage lines. A doctor's assessment of your skin decides which layer needs treating.