Best Age to Have Ulthera Done?

Question

I am 60 years old. Am I too old for Ulthera? Can It Be Repeated?

Gregory A. Wiener, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, it really depends on the skins elasticity and the results you are personally trying to receive.  We have done Ultherapy on patients in their early 70's and they were happy with their results.  If there is a lot of saggy skin, then a face lift may be a better option, if there is minimal sagging, then ultherapy would be an option.  It is best to see a specialist for Ultherapy, and maybe go on 2-3 consultations to review your options. We are a very honest facility, and if we feel a patient will receive better results with a face lift, we will definitely talk about all options available.

Jeffrey Rockmore, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Age is just a number, and the appearance and quality of your facial skin best determines the proper time for Ulthera. Every person ages at different rates and in different ways, and the best age for Ulthera similarly differs.

	That being said, there is a range to get the optimal results from Ultherapy. It is an age when you have signs of aging with laxity and descent of your skin that is not overly advanced. If your skin has maintained some elasticity with earlier aging changes, the results of Ulthera are better. Once the face has extensive aging changes, the results of Ulthera can be more limited, and surgery may be a better option.

	In my Albany, NY practice, I have treated patients in their 30's to patients in their late 60's with good results. It is really an examination of your face and skin more than your chronological age that determines if you are well suited for the procedure.

	Best of luck with your face.

	Jeff Rockmore

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Ultherapy can be repeated six to twelve months later (some might do it sooner but I don't know that it would produce a better final result). Lifting can occur as a result of the focused ultrasound energy from Ultherapy, but if there is a significant weakening of one's elasticity of the dermis from sun damage, then the response won't be as good. Age can weaken these fibers and the response of collagen production too, but sundamage probably would decrease the amount of lifting that might be accomplished. The age is not a contraindication as there are no anesthetics required for the Ultherapy.

Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD · Answer

The nice thing about emerging technologies is that they are more frequently developed for a wide age range. At 60 - or beyond - you are certainly not too old for Ultherapy. But as you can see from other answers, there is a change in how well skin responds at various ages. So any procedure that relies in whole or in part on collagen remodeling and collagen stimulation will work better on younger skin since it has more "skin energy".

	So you might see a younger colleague or friend get "better" results simply because her (or his) skin has the capacity to tighten and lift a little better. But that's not set in concrete. Much of what happens is dependent on your skin's health which is obviously dependent on your lifestyle and health management overall. Sometimes older patients who've taken good care of themselves get results that are on par with someone much younger chronologically.

	As for repeated treatments, Ultherapy results are completed over time, so going for a repeat without waiting for the final results of a first treatment is not recommended. At that time you and your physician can decide if another session is warranted or if some other simple procedure such as an injectable filler might complete the effects you want to accomplish.

	Ultherapy is not an equivalent of surgery, but it does offer an alternative for some facial definition and lift that is accomplished at a very deep structural level with no invasive requirement.

Sarmela Sunder, MD · Answer

Hi,

	As we age, collagen breaks down, leading to the laxity in skin. Ulthera can address this issue by using ultrasound waves to gently heat the tissue layers under the skin, which promotes collagen formation, resulting in lifting and tightening of the tissues.

	The quality of your skin and degree of skin laxity are more important factors than your chronological age.  Patients that do well with Ultherapy have mild to moderate skin laxity. In addition, patients with good skin integrity and those with thicker skin tend to achieve a better result. Patients with significant sun damaged skin and those with very loose skin do not benefit from this technology. There are definitely patients in their sixties who have good quality skin, with robust tissue and mild to moderate laxity who would benefit from Ultherapy. I would recommend a consultation with an Ultherapy provider to evaluate whether this would be a good option for you.

	As far as whether the treatment can be repeated, the answer is &lsquo;yes.&rsquo; Since the Ultherapy results can take 3-6 months to take form, in my opinion, one should wait at least that long (if not longer) for a second treatment. Again, this is something that should be discussed with your provider. Hope this helps! Good luck to you!  Let us know what you decide.

	Dr. Sunder
	Beverly Hills and Los Angeles

Steven Goldman, MD · Answer

We have treated patients older than 60 with Ulthera with good results, but such patients cannot have severe aging, sun damage, loose skin. The best candidates in our experience thus far with this relatively new device have mild to moderate facial aging. Age is not the most important factor, facial aging is. Patients who have moderate to severe sun damage and wrinkles will benefit more from CO2 laser resurfacing (eg, Exelo2 laser). Patients with moderate to severe jowling, loose neck tissue benefit more from a facelift. Thanks for your question.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Ultherapy uses highly focused ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen regeneration in the layers under the skin. In general this means the younger the patient, the better the results, and menopause is an important issue since the lower estrogen levels contribute to thinning of the skin. Thin skin means less collagen as a "target" so less response. Most of our patients are in their mid-40's to mid 50's but we have had some decent results in patients in their 60's. The treatment could be repeated but I would wait at least 6 months in between.

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Thank
you for your question. Yes, you can definitely have Ultherapy. It
may take longer to achieve your desired results and you may require more than
one treatment. Please remember that Ultherapy is a non-surgical procedure that
can lead to great results. I recommend having a consultation with an expert for
evaluation to determine the best treatment plan for you. Best of Luck!

Mary Jo Wright, MD · Answer

Great question. The quality of your skin and its ability to form new collagen is really the determining factor. Because Ulthera works by stimulating new collagen to tighten and lift the skin that is what is needed. A consultation with a board certified health care professional providing the treatment is also necessary. Many other factors should also go into making the decision such as sun damage, smoking and other medical conditions. It can be repeated. The therapy usually lasts for 18-24 months. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Joshua L. Fox, MD · Answer

There is no age cutoff for Ultherapy. For best results, it is important that the
skin is not excessively sun damaged and does not have excessive laxity.This is because the idea is for the
ultrasound waves to stimulate collagen production, and this requires relatively
healthy skin. The procedure can be
repeated, typically every 1-3 years.A
consultation with an experienced physician will determine whether you are an
ideal candidate for Ultherapy.

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Best Age to Have Ulthera Done?

Answers (19)

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