What's the Deal with Ultherapy Only Lasting a Year?

Aging is a complicated process. In our opinion, Ulthera is a longlasting solution that should be combined with complementary procedures for anti-aging. Raffy Karamanoukian Los Angeles

All facial rejuvenation procedures, surgical and non-surgical, will have diminished effect over time as the face continues to age.  I have performed hundreds of Ulthera procedures in my practice and there can be variation of result between individual patients.  On average, most patients get the appearance of about 2 years improvement.

Ultherapy uses miscrofocused ultrasound to stimulate a healing response in the skin which in turn regenerates collagen for a lifting effect. So it is the body's response to the treatment that ultimately determines the degree of lifting and how long it lasts. Younger patients will get a better and longer lasting response, older patients whose collagen building metabolism  is diminished will have less of an effect. Even a surgical facelift only "sets back the clock."

FDA clearance did not require proof of results at a given time in follow-up for Ultherapy facial lifting. The face does age, continually, as all our cells are programmed to die at a certain time in their life after so many cell duplication cycles. It is known with all lifting procedures, whether face lift or Ultherapy, that the face will definitely continue to age in time and having done an Ultherapy places one ahead on this aging curve. In other words, the new collagen that is formed helps hold up the skin higher but age will continue to make it drop but having had the Ultherapy, the face may look a couple of years  younger in the future for that age compared to the appearance of the face should Ultherapy not have been done. The new collagen does not disappear!

There are no formal split face studies observing the results after Ultherapy for several years but in my practice, the patients that have had good results, so seem to maintain the lifted position of the jowl, or the smoother smile fold, or the healthier convex cheekbone, for more than two years.

The information provided in Dr. Shelton's answer is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice.  The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified health professional who may be familiar with your individual medical needs.

 

Ultherapy ha been shown in studies done outside of the US - studies done to get FDA approval - to last 5-7 years or more. As you know, you are not transfixed in the age when you get the procedure. You will continue to age over time and age out of the face tightening effects of this revolutionary non invasive procedure. That means that in several years (2-4), you may need a 'touch up' procedure. Read the Ultherapy book provided on the link below to get educated about this procedure. 

I understand that this can be confusing. Once the maximum results have been achieved a few months after an Ultherapy treatment, the aging process continues and collagen levels will eventually start to decrease again. Each person ages differently and responds differently to treatments. How often patients go back for Ultherapy treatments to maintain their results depends on each individual and on factors such as the state of their skin before their initial treatment, the degree of results they achieved, as well as lifestyle habits such as smoking and UV exposure. Some people prefer to have their Ultherapy updated annually, while others see their doctors for maintenance treatments every 2 years. You and your doctor will be able to decide the best schedule to keep your results looking fresh. Hopefully this is helpful to you.