The newer Amplify protocol was developed for patient comfort. Compared to the older protocol, the energy setting is lower but when studied side by side the results were equivalent. Safety was not the issue. A full face treatment with the Amplify protocol is minimum 800 lines. It is not possible for Ultherapy energy to penetrate deeper than 4.5 millimeters, so going "deep into the muscle" is not within the capability of the machine regardless of what setting is used (including energy level) and regardless of technician training. During a full face lifting treatment, some of the lines are placed at 3.0 mm and some are at 4.5 mm. There certainly is a "sweet spot" the Ultherapist is trained to look for in terms of placement- but this is because lines delivered below that sweet spot will not be effective in terms of lifting, in other words it is "wasted" energy, not because it is dangerous. They are taught to identify the SMAS- or submusculoaponeurotic system-a fibrous and fatty layer under the facial skin- and to deliver energy near or just above it as energy delivered below it is not helpful. More importantly, they are taught to avoid certain areas as "no fly zones"- the nasolabial fold region, the marionette region- in order not to irritate nerve and blood vessel structures there. That is where Ultherapy can cause issues if done improperly.
