Ulthera and Deep Plane Facelift

Question

Does having an Ulthera procedure previously affect a deep plane facelift surgery? Does it make the surgery riskier and more difficult?

Nashielli Torres Espinosa Chiu, MD · Answer

Great question &mdash; this is something that comes up often in consultations.
Previous Ulthera (Ultherapy) treatments generally do not affect the SMAS layer directly, as the energy doesn’t penetrate deeply enough to reach below it. However, they can cause changes in the subdermal plane, such as tissue tightening and fibrosis, which may affect surgical dissection.
While it doesn’t necessarily make the surgery riskier, it can make the procedure more technically demanding. The surgeon may need to spend more time performing careful, precise dissection to avoid damage to adjacent tissues.
In experienced hands, a deep plane facelift can still be performed successfully after Ultherapy &mdash; but it’s important to let your surgeon know about your treatment history, as it may influence the surgical approach and planning.
I hope this helps clarify things!

Arthur Dean Jabs, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Ulthera is a procedure that aims to tighten deeper structures through the use of ultrasound to heat and slightly shrink deeper tissues in the face including the SMAS. It also claims to stimulate collagen production.

A Deep Plane facelift on the other hand elevates the SMAS directly and reshapes fat and muscle. There is no comparison in the results or to the length of time they last. Surgery is by far more effective.

A Deep Plane lift can be done just as easily on those that have had Ulthera as those that have not.

Dr. J

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

Yes, ultherapy severely damages the structures of the neck. This makes a significant scar tissue burden, damages the lymphatics and obliterates normal tissue planes. This makes the surgery far more challenging and that sometimes may provide some risk.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Ultherapy does affect a future facelift....... and not in a positive way; I can almost always tell when a patient has had Ultherapy.  My advice to those seeking surgical facial rejuvenation in the near or remote future, it has to be understood that the deep tissue scarring caused by Ultherapy and some other energy devices can increase the level of difficulty of your facelift.  As always, seeking an experienced facelift Surgeon is especially critical in these types of cases. A post-Ultherapy facelift is much more similar to a revision facelift than a primary facelift in terms of deeper scar tissue and level of difficulty.

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, hope you are well. I have performed deep plane facelift surgery on patients who have had a wide variety of energy-based treatments ranging from Ulthera, to RF microneedling, bipolar RF, etc. Ulthera will not make the surgery riskier or more difficult in any meaningful way.

Best,
Dr. Tower

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Answer: Yes, Ultherapy Does Affect a Facelift

Answer: Yes, Ultherapy Does Affect a Facelift

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Answer: Ulthera and Deep Plane Facelift

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Ulthera and Deep Plane Facelift

Answers (7)

Answer: Yes, Ultherapy Does Affect a Facelift

Answer: Yes, Ultherapy Does Affect a Facelift

Answer: Ulthera and Deep Plane Facelift

Answer: Ulthera and Deep Plane Facelift

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