Who can perform Ultherapy?

Question

I had ultherapy by a non licensed person. I thought she was an estethician, later found out she was not. Who can I report this to? This was done in california

Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS · Answer

In the state of California by law only registered nurses can perform laser hair removal. There is, however, no such law for Ultherapy treatments. The company sells the device to anyone with a medical license. The physicians can then delegate who does the treatment. This is where we run into the problem of inexperienced physicians having inexperienced estheticians or technicians doing the treatments. I have seen many patients who come to me after having Ultherapy done by an inadequately trained provider at a "med spa" where the physician was not even on-site. The most you can do at this point is report the incident to the medical board of california.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

While each state has its own regulations, Ultherapy is a medical procedure so all states require that it be performed under the supervision of a physician. The differences are in who the doctor can delegate to and how the supervision is done. It is possible that you had some other type of ultrasound treatment that was pitched as being the same as Ultherapy although there are no equivalent devices that could be used without physician supervision. It is also possible that you had it done at a facility where the doctor is not on site. In that case an evaluation by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant would likely be required. In any case it should be easy to find out who the supervising physician (medical director) is.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

States do have different laws regarding who can perform cosmetic procedures, including Ultherapy.  I would suggest contacting the Medical Board of California to report the issue with your treatment.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Ultherapy in our practice is done by the doc or a physician assistant.I can tell you that based on my additional certifications in ultrasound (RVT, RPVI ad RPhS), I would prefer that whoever is doing the procedure on me understand ultrasound physics and safety in ultrasound. Read my ebook about Ultherapy on the link below.BestDr. Karamanoukian

Jennifer Reichel, MD · Answer

Results from Ultherapy, an ultrasound device to tighten and lift the skin, Are VERY dependent on who the operator is. Ultherapy is is not a laser, so there are fewer restrictions on who can deliver the treatment. There re are some devices that are easy to use - as long as the settings are right for the treatment. However, Ultherapy is very dependant on how much experience the operator has and also whether they "care" about the outcome.

Edwin Ishoo, MD · Answer

So you would have been OK if the medical treatment was performed by an esthetician (someone with an 8 week training on make up and wax and facials)? Did you go to a mall or "medspa"? Did you not ask prior to your MEDICAL treatment what the diagnosis and treatment plans were and who would be administering the treatment? Please find out who your doctor is that performed the exam, diagnosis and treatment planning. In California all such facilities are under a physician's license and any one performing procedures does so under that physician's authority. An esthetician performing a MEDICAL procedure would be the same as anyone else under that physician's license.

Steven M. Gitt, MD, FACS (in memoriam) · Answer

In most states anyone can perform Ultherapy. It is not a light or laser based technology so there are few restrictions. You should check with your state medical board for more information as California is the regulatory leader in the USA. Did you have any problems with your treatment?

Who can perform Ultherapy?

Answers (7)

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