Ultherapy Q&A
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How Long Does It Take to See Ulthera Results?

asked 2 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Chang Son, MD
Question viewed 20,626 times
Tags: results

Oh no!! I just did a Ulthera treatment in Seoul recently. It cost me US$2700. Do you think it worth it or I'm wasting my money ??? Hmmmmm, I don't see any change after the treatment, but the doc says the result will look good in 3 to 6 months.

29 answers to How Long Does It Take to See Ulthera Results?

+6

Ulthera's results progress over 4 months in line with the body's natural healing

Immediate tightening can be seen after half the face is treated and gives a window into the future as your body's natural wound healing response and repair/rebuilding take place. Patience and a good evaluation of your pretreatment pictures and follow up pics should demonstrate the changes- but these are slow and gradual and sometimes difficult to appreciate when looking at your face every day - stay optimistic!
Christopher S. Verbin, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

www.sbaesthetics.md

+4

Lifting and skin tightening effect of Ulthera may take several months

Ultherapy uses ultrasound technology to deliver low levels of focused heat to the tissues immediately underneath the skin. Your body responds to this thermal energy by stimulating the growth of new collagen.  Some patients report seeing an immediate result, but that is a combination of the body’s response to the heat energy, as well as some associated mild swelling. The regenerative process is initiated immediately, but the full effects of the treatment gradually occur over the... more
Sarmela Sunder, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.sunderplasticsurgery.com

+12

Ulthera causes a natural tightening and lifting of skin by building the body's own collagen

Because Ulthera works by stimulating the body’s healing and restorative properties, it is true that the final result is usually seen after 3 months. This is the amount of time that the new collagen growth occurs after the procedure. Our patients do report early changes ranging from actual brow elevation, mid face fullness, or simply a firmer feel to the skin. We are receiving very good satisfaction for Ulthera in our office. Ulthera is a good choice for patients who are... more
Dan Mills, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+6

Ultherapy takes time to work

Ultherapy is a unique device that targets tissue deep to the skin and performs it's effect while leaving the overlying skin intact and not involved. Thus, the recovery is instantaneous and you can go out that very night. Nevertheless, it does take time for the thermal ( heat) areas to transform into collagen and result in tightening. That does take 3 months at least. Be patient and you will see the results.
Philip Miller, MD

New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drphilipmiller.com

+6

Ulthera Works Slowly and Naturally by Building Collagen

Ulthera delivers focused ultrasonic energy to two levels in the body - the muscle/SMAS layer and the deep skin(dermis.) The ultrasonic energy creates several small tiny injuries at both of these levels. As the injuries heal new smooth collagen is layed down resulting in tight, smooth, firmer skin. Collagen formation takes about three months and this is the length of time it takes to see results.
Rondi Kathleen Walker, MD

Washington Plastic Surgeon

www.walkerplasticsurgery.com

+5

Ultherapy does work

At Quintessa Medical Spa, we have treated over 100 patients with Ultherapy. We have had the device since December of 2009 and were the 9th facility in the United States to start treatments. At first we were cautious about making promises regarding the results, but now with the extensive experience we have, we realize that Ultherapy works in almost everyone. Regarding your question, I would not worry about seeing improvement in the brow area for about 3 months. We have found that in... more
Andrew Campbell, MD

Milwaukee Facial Plastic Surgeon
+4

Time for full effect after ulthera

Hello, I tell my patients 20% of the results right of the bat and full effect at 90 days. It takes that long for the body to respond to the energy delivered to the underlying tissue by building more collagen. All the best, Dr Repta
Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+4

Ultherapy (ulthera) results can be immediate

Results from ulthera (ultherapy) can be seen immediately for some patients. For other patients, the results are visible in 30 to 60 days. For most patients, 90 days or more are required for the best clinical result.
Kyle S. Choe, MD

Virginia Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3

Ulthera seems to be ineffective

We used the Ulthera device for 3 months and treated 50 patients. Three people had short term mild tightening which disappeared by month 3. No one else saw any results. It was really painful for most patients and takes at least an hour to perform. We used the highest settings on everyone. Very disappointed with this device.
Carla R. Retief, MD

Nashville Dermatologic Surgeon
+3

The length of time it takes to see results from Ultherapy

After Ultherapy it can take 3-6 months to see the maximal result. Most people see some result immediately, but it is subtle in comparison to the final result. How the treatment was performed and how many lines of therapy were delivered will have an effect on the ultimate outcome.
Leif Liu Rogers, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+3

Ultherapy can give a little lift now, but ultimate result takes several months to see

Although some patients notice an immediate improvement right after the procedure, it often takes several months (even up to 6+ months) to see the final results. The immediate lift is due to the shrinking effect of the collagen (and the deeper muscle layer) due to the heating effect that the ultrasound delivers. More importantly, this energy from the treatment stimulates your skin to grow new collagen over the subsequent months. This leads to a gradual tightening and improved skin over... more
Haresh Yalamanchili, MD

Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.belagecenter.com

+3

Ulthera Gives Lift

There are really two parts to what we see with Ulthera; a "right now" response" which our patients see virtually as their treatment is completed, which is best understood as immediate collagen tightening, and the really important response which is collagen regeneration, which is the gaining back of deeper collagen tightness which comes over time. Yes! Great results can be seen early, but best results will come over time, of at least 4 to 6 months after treatment. more
Douglas J. Key, MD

Portland Dermatologic Surgeon

www.keylaserinstitute.com

+3

Ultherapy works gradually

The most important thing to remember with Ultherapy treatment is that the results are not immediate.  It can take 3-6 months to get a beneficial improvement.  For those patients seeking an immediate, dramatic change Ultherapy will disappoint them.  It is best for patients that do not want an invasive procedure with the incumbent downtime. It is also important to remember that not all patients will achieve the desired effect after one treatment.  The clinical... more
Joseph Campanelli, MD

Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3

Ulthera works

I have had the Ulthera machine for 4 months and have treated approximately 60 patients. 1.) There is an initial tightening that is seen immediately. This is due to collagen shrinkage. 2.) The skin continues to tighten for 3 months. This is due to collagen production. 3.) After 3 months the result persists.
Leonard Gray, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+3

Ultherapy results get better over time

Ultherapy results are typically seen over 3-6 months following treatment.  It is common to see some early changes in the first several weeks due to the thermal effect of the treatment.  Early treatment recommendations with Ultherapy did not include a second treatment.  However, ongoing studies with Ultherapy have shown dramatic changes can occur with a second treatment six months after the initial session.  The reason the results are improved, is that the new collagen... more
Steven L. Ringler, MD

Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon
+2

Ulthera Results Seen 2 to 3 Months After Treatment

Good question! Ultherapy® uses ultrasound technology to gently warm the deeper, damaged layers of tissue in which collagen production has slowed. The process of cell and collagen regeneration begins immediately after treatment, but the visual effects aren’t seen until two to three months after the procedure. Most patients only need one treatment to achieve their anticipated results, regardless of their chosen treatment area. While Ultherapy® is not an effective treatment for... more
Ashley R. Curtis, MD

Atlanta Dermatologic Surgeon
+2

Ulthera results are best seen after 6 months

Remember that Ulthera does not work instantly. It is not like filler, where you can see the result before you leave the office. It is not like neurotoxin, where you can see the result in several days. Ulthera results take 3-6 months. More recent studies have shown that some collagen formation continues even at 12 months. Ulthera is more like the tortoise than the hare. So, please be patient for a few months longer as your skin repairs itself and creates... more
Melissa Chiang, MD

Houston Dermatologist

www.integratedplasticsurgery.com

+2

The final effects of an Ulthera treatment are seen over 3-6 months

Ulthera treatements utilize high-focused ultrasonic energy to deliver heat to the tissues both superficially and deeper to put the body into a healing mode which stimulates collagen production and, thus, tightening or lifting of the brow and lower face and neck. Healing will occur on a daily basis, thus, a patient is not going to wake up one morning saying that they look so much better than they did the day prior. Ulthera treatments are ideal for patients with mild to moderate... more
Sanjay Grover MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.doctorgrover.com

+2

3 months to see Ulthera results

Our patients almost always have to wait about 3 months to see results with Ulthera. Most see slight change at 1 month, Most of the result is visible by 3 months. Some improvement may be seen beyond 3 months in some patients. As with many non-surgical procedures, it can be frustrating to wait to see a gradual change.
Steven Goldman, MD

Cleveland Plastic Surgeon
+2

Best Time to Evaluate Results of Ultherapy by Ulthera Ultrasound Skin Tightening/Lifting Treatment

Hi, Ultherapy by Ulthera uses ultrasound energy to heat the SMAS and deep subcutaneous tissue resulting in tightening and lifting of the muscles and skin of the face, neck, and brows. Though some patients may see some immediate improvement, it generally takes some time for the muscle and skin to form the collagen that causes the visual effects of the treatment. These results are best evaluated about 2 to 3 months after your treatment. Please see the vidoe reference... more
Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Pittsburgh Ulthera results evolve over time

Not to worry.  Some patients (but not all) see some modest immediate results, but the real results evolve and improve over 3-6 months. Ulthera often (but not always) results in a modest degree of immediate lift.  This immediate lift, which can often be seen at the "half-time" after the first side of the face has been treated, is caused by a combination of collagen shrinkage and minor swelling. As the rows of tiny thermal heating points result in your body... more
Paul L. Leong, MD

Pittsburgh Facial Plastic Surgeon

idealplasticsurgery.com

+2

Ulthera May Continue to Improve Over 3 to 6 Months

Many patients see continued improvement even 6 months after Ulthera. Taking standardized photographs with consistent technique helps to see the changes over time.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

Acute and Chronic results

In general, there are two phases to response to Ultherapy in my experience. Acutely, meaning in days to weeks from the treatment date, there usually is "lifting" of treated regions. This usually is due to direct effect of treated tissue, i.e. subcutaneous fat and dermal tissue. Chronically, there is gradual tightening and continual lifting. This is due to induction of new collagen synthesis and "anchoring" of treated tissue.. How one responds... more
Chang Son, MD

Fort Lee Dermatologist
+1

How long does it take to see the results of Ultherapy?

In my experience, the results of Ulthera take variable amounts of time in each patient. I see some immediate results in some patients that improve over the next few months after the procedure. In some patients, I don't see immediate results and it takes a few months to see the results. It is very important to have good before and after photos to determine the results. see video
Jonathan Pontell, MD, FACS

Philadelphia Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drpontell.com

+1

Ultherapy's results can take six months or longer to show

Some patients see an immediate result to a slight extent from the swelling or the immediate connective tissue tightening, but the facial dermal collagen production takes six months or more to accumulate as a response to the Ultherapy. Every patient's facial features are different and some are better candidates for Ultherapy than others. Overall it is a very good procedure, and 80% of patients approximately have rated it very high in terms of their satisfaction on RealSelf.com more
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist

www.thenyac.com

+1

Results after Ulthera treatment

Some patients notice a change right after the treatment but that is usually due to some of the swelling after the treatment. Results become more apparent after 3 months due to a continues build up of collagen and elastin from the thermal injury caused during the treatment of the ultrasound.
Tal T. Roudner, MD

Coral Gables Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ulthera results usually take some time to develop

I have been using Ulthera for one year in my practice and have now treated over 100 patients. While some patients see immediate results, it is more common for the result to develop over 3 to 6 months as the body's collagen regeneration process progresses. I have found Ulthera to be successful in improving facial contours and skin tightness in almost all patients. There is variability in degree of result between patients, as seen with most procedures. Give this... more
Mark Beaty, MD

Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon

miltonhallplasticsurgery.com

+1

Ulthera works in 2 phases to lift skin

I was just in Korea to give a lecture on Ulthera and the doctors there are very experienced with this technology. At first there is some minor tightening of the collagen but it really does take time to see the full effect. We have seen definitie improvement from the second to the third month, so be patient!
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

baxterplasticsurgery.com

+1

Ulthera lift

Yiu have a nice result from Ulthera. It will continue to tighten for three months. Your pictures show an improvement on your neck, cheeks and jaw line. I own an Ulthera and also had it done. I experienced similar results and I can see improvements every week. It will continue to improve for three months.
Luis A. Vinas, MD

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

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