Does Ultherapy work?

Question

I am 62 and have good skin. I have been advised that Ultherapy can tighten the jawline and lift the forehead. Obviously nothing can replace the knife and Ultherapy is expensive as non surgical procedures go but if it can actually achieve the above without downtime then it may be worth it.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Certain features may decrease one's possibility of getting good lifting and tightening from Ultherapy. Significant prior sun damage which weakens the deep collagen and elasticity of the skin will minimize the improvement. Smokers and heavy faces also don't get as good a result.
Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed predictability as to how a particular patient will respond. Some patients do get better results than others. ThermiTight is an in-between procedure. In between surgery and non-invasive procedures and the results may be better than ultherapy for the lower face, but there is down time of at least a week with ThermiTight involving swelling and some patients bruise, while there is minimal to no downtime with Ultherapy.

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

I have had high satisfaction from my patients that have had Ultherapy. It is great for skin tightening, however it will not get as dramatic results as face/neck lift surgery. See a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon that offers Ultherapy to see if you are a candidate. Good luck!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Ultherapy is an excellent addition to our practice and we are one of the leading providers of Ultherapy in Los Angeles. The treatment uses microfocused ultrasound to target the underlying deep tissue of the face and neck. Raffy Karamanoukian MD FACS

Steven J. Pearlman, MD, FACS · Answer

I tell my patients that overall, Ultherapy can improve the face and yield about 405 of the result of a facelift, but without incisions and for a quarter the price. Results can take up to 6 months to fully manifest. So, if you want a dramatic change, surgery is best. If you are looking for subtle changes then Ultherapy can work.

Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD · Answer

Any skin tightening procedure has the potential to help firm up falling and lax tissue. But it's not a panacea for all. If you understand how skin collagen functions change with age, it helps you understand why the younger patients seem to benefit the most."Slower" collagen replenishment occurs with age - that's an established fact. But since we all age at varying rates, you'll see some 62 year old's who look 50 and others who look 70.Your doctor knows your skin - or can assess the potential. Ultherapy can work in someone your age. The results for anyone is not guaranteed to a specific level, but most everyone enjoys some type of lift and tightening. Getting an experienced and frank assessment of your potential is a first step.Bio-stimulatory products like Sculptra or the robust long term fillers like Voluma - with or without tightening procedures - can also help you  look fresher and more youthful.

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

It works well on patients who do not have thick skin, and who do not have too much excess skin.  Also, works best on patients who are in the 40-50 y.o age range. If you just want to tighten up the jowls and neck a little, you should be happy.  A photo would help!!

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Ultherapy works by stimulating the production of new collagen which leads to a lifting and firming effect. For this reason it is the individual response to the treatment that determines the results, and the older you are the less well the skin builds collagen. We see our best results in patients in their 40's - 50's but your results would be determined by the condition of your skin.

Carlo Honrado, MD, FACS · Answer

Ultherapy is an excellent treatment to give a more natural-looking and refreshed face. It targets sagging tissue and tightens specific regions with a safe, low energy dose. The procedure takes less than an hour, and the effect is often immediate. The lasting benefit is that your body continues to produce more of its own natural collagen even after you receive the treatment and there is almost no downtime for most patients. You can expect the full benefit of the treatment to appear in about two to three months, and to last about a year. I would recommend getting a consultation to see if it's the right procedure for you.

Joshua L. Fox, MD · Answer

The majority of patients who have done Ultherapy in our
practice(s) are very happy and see a significant change. It works very well. Yet
20% of the patients don’t see any or hardly any change, so have realistic
expectations. Seek consultation from an
experienced dermatologist in your area who has done this procedure on many
patients.

Roy A. David, MD · Answer

Ultherapy is FDA approved for lifting tissues in the face and neck, but you are correct that some patients may be happier with a facelift. Your best option is to consult with a facial plastic surgeon who can offer both options and advise you honestly on your best choice. Good Luck!

Does Ultherapy work?

Answers (12)