Ulthera... Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon?

The Ulthera system uses ultrasound, so the advantage to any treatment provider is that we can "see" where the treatment energy is being focused.

The technology was developed with specific guidelines - which all providers follow, though with some customization to get best results - so it's really a matter of personal preference as to whom you choose to take your treatment with.

More frequently than not, physician extenders (usually Physician Assistants or Registered Nurses) are the ones providing Ultherapy and they will have had the same training as the physician.

As with any cosmetic procedure, it's the patient's choice. Many people are very comfortable with a nurse or PA because they will often actually have more experience using nonsurgical technology. Others are only comfortable with a physician operating the device.

When booking your treatment, you should be told who will be actually administering the Ultherapy treatment and if you specifically desire the physician, make that clear.

Dermatologists, plastic surgeons, their nurses, physician assistants, etc. can do Ultherapy. Is the person who is doing your Ultherapy experienced at it? Do they have the latest technology with all levels of transducers, or have they not invested in keeping their system updated to have the latest software and the new 1.5 mm transducer as well?  What treatment do they deliver? There is no set number of lines that a doctor must deliver, and some will treat with far fewer lines and others, with many more.  There is also a need to know the anatomy and customize treatment for each patient as faces are very different and focusing Ultherapy in one area can be quite different for different patients.

In the last year, our treatments have increased numbers of  lines of energy that are significantly greater than the first protocol the company suggested when the device came to market. With that we are seeing even better results.

So it is not the type of specialty, but the doctor or the doctor's assistant that is delivering the utlherapy treatment that is important.

 

The information provided in Dr. Shelton's answer is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice.  The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified health professional who may be familiar with your individual medical needs. If you are experiencing a medical emergency proceed to your nearest emergency room.

This is a challenging question.  Both specialties have a great deal of experience with facial aging.  I practice with with my wife who is a board certified dermatologist and I am a board certified plastic surgeon.  We both do consultations and perform Ultherapy and we also share aesthetician who performs Ultherapy.  I do see a greater percentage of the patients and my wife will often refer patients to discuss the benefits of Ultherapy versus surgical face/neck lift.  I have found that a greater number of our older patients enjoy the discussion of invasive vs non-invasive options before they make their decision on how the invest their time and resources to achieve their desired results.  Our younger patients are looking for more preventative options or non-invasive ways to mitigate the aging process so either way would work.  I would also say that I tend to be more aggressive with my treatment options and the overall energy I provide.  I hope this helps.

Ulthera uses microfocused ultrasound for nonivasive skin lifting, but it is not a nonsurgical facelift. The ultrasound is focused at different depths, one of which is the SMAS layer under the skin which plastic surgeons use in a facelift. So my personal bias is for plastic surgeons, who understand the anatomy of that layer, but as a practical matter there are plenty of dermatologists who get good results with Ulthera.

Ultherapy is a great procedure and in my opinion is very dependent on the provider. Whoever you choose to perform the procedure should be someone who has done many and understands the way the technology works and uses various vectors of treatment - the lines that are routinely used and custom lines of treatment that are not necessarily 'up and down the face and neck'. Read the Ultherapy book provided on the link below.