Long-lasting Results for Ultherapy on Jowls?

prior to the marketing of the Ulthera device, Ultherapy was studied for the FDA for the three previous years. It had been developed since about seven years ago. The tightened connective tissue and new collagen seem to be present for the long term but of course any lifting, even surgical, still fights the ongoing aging process. Ulthera can be repeated to even improve the good results, six to 12 months later.

Ultherapy is a non-invasive procedure that lifts the neck, chin and brow, and improves lines and wrinkles on the upper chest. As we age, collagen breaks down, resulting in loss of skin strength and elasticity. For tissue tightening, Ultherapy is ideal for the lower face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Morpheus8 to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

This is a very good question and I believe the true answer is still evolving   The general consensus is a few years but depends on many factors like age,sun damage, ect.  You will also continue to age.. The treatment can be repeated for added lifting..

While Ulthera is a relatively new device, clinical experience so far indicates results are long-lasting.  I have been using the device for one year in my practice and have several patients who have continued to show improvement for as long as six months.  Since the treatment stimulates collagen formation and creates tissue tightening in this fashion, expectations for long term results are high.  You will continue to age, however, and eventually the aging process will overcome the improvements gained through the treatment.  There is no reason a secondary treatment, either Ulthera or sugical, couldn't be done at that time.

While only being around now a short time, ulthera results have persisted in the brows at 18 months by report and if similar to the results obtained by deeper CO2 lasers, one postulates that these other areas will always be tighter as the aging process carries on. We will see better as our results are followed over the next few years, but I'm optimistic that the brow, face and neck will be better over the years than if not treated. And another ulthera down the road might just as well maintain those despite additional years- that's my personal plan to fend off surgery for as long as possible!

I have been performing Ultherapy since 2011.I have had the procedure myself in 2011.In the hundreds of patients I have treated, return rate for maintenance therapy seems to cluster at around 3 years. They called themselves for 'maintenance or touch up' procedures. Read the Ultherapy book provided on the link below under ebooks. 

Over the course of a year after a single Ultherapy treatment, old stretched out collagen is replaced with new more youthful tight collagen- the structure beneath the skin’s surface the attaches the muscle to the underside of the skin.  This new collagen is like what you had when you were a teenager- and should last for many years.  However it is not uncommon to desire or need several Ultherapy treatments over the years to maintain the results or achieve the best possible result.It may take a year after a single Ultherapy treatment to see the end results, since improvement continues to accumulate over the course of a year.  The length of time the results last is not predictable since it is impossible to tell when you will take a step on the “aging ladder” and look older.  People take these steps on the “aging ladder” from things like illness, weight loss, stress in life, and hormonal changes.  If you don’t take a step, the results should last years

Ulthera has performed clinical studies and the trials that are published have results lasting one year and two years.  In non-published data,  there are some patients who feel their results have lasted up to 3 years.  However, the length of time that non-invasive skin tightening will last depends on multiple factors.  Ultherapy does not stop the aging process, so immediately post-procedure you will continue to age. 

If you have healthy skin, avoid smoking, minimize sun-exposure and  you are treating with ultherapy in the early stages of loose skin and jowls, then you should expect longer term results.  If you have more advanced aging, then you may note improvement for 1-2 years.

Skin tightening is a key component to the non-invasive facial rejuvenation plan.  Most physicians utilize Ultherapy in combination with fillers for volume-replacement.  Develop a maintenance treatment plan with your physician and you will be able to gracefully fight mother-nature!