Ulthera – The Revolutionary Skin Lifting and Tightening Innovation
Ulthera is one of the beauty innovations that’s frequently talked about these days, especially since many celebrities and public figures have been using this treatment.
If you’re curious about Ulthera—how effective it is, whether it hurts, what problems it addresses, is it expensive, how many lines are needed, or why it’s so popular—this article provides all the answers.
Table of Content : Ulthera
What is Ulthera?
Ulthera, also known as Ultherapy, is an original skin lifting and tightening technology that uses high-frequency sound waves with focused precision (Focused Ultrasound). These waves are directed beneath the skin surface to create a lifting and tightening effect.
The Ulthera device directs sound waves beneath the skin, generating heat at 60-70°C that penetrates deep into the skin layers. The energy creates 1 mm thermal coagulation points arranged in straight lines under the skin, helping to address sagging facial skin and wrinkles to create a tighter, more lifted appearance—without the need for surgery.
Additionally, Ulthera can be used for lifting and tightening both facial and body areas. Patients can resume their daily activities immediately after treatment, with no downtime required.
A key advantage of Ulthera treatment is its ability to address skin problems comprehensively across all skin layers, using transducers witdifferent depth levels suited to specific skin issues and skin layers.
Depth Levels of Ulthera Transducers
- 1.5 mm Transducer – Ideal for treating surface wrinkles in the upper skin layers, targeting the epidermis and dermis.
- 3.0 mm Transducer – Designed for tightening the subcutaneous fat layer (subcutis), which contains vertical collagen fibers. Perfect for reducing skin sagging around the eye area and forehead, and can treat the SMAS layer in certain facial areas with thinner skin.
- 4.5 mm Transducer – Targets the SMAS layer, which contains horizontal collagen fibers and is the same layer treated in surgical facelifts. The 4.5 mm transducer is ideal for lifting cheeks, jowls, and neck areas.
How Do Different Ulthera Models Differ?
Currently, clinics use two main devices: Ulthera SPT and the latest Ulthera Prime model.
Ulthera SPT
Ulthera SPT is a focused ultrasound skin lifting and tightening innovation that can penetrate deep into the superficial muscular layer (SMAS). It was developed to improve patient comfort, reduce pain, and deliver more effective lifting and tightening outcomes.
With new technology featuring a real-time display screen, doctors can clearly visualize each skin layer and deliver precise energy to targeted areas, resulting in more pronounced lifting and tightening outcomes.
The Ulthera SPT Technique uses a customized approach to address each individual’s skin concerns, delivering more personalized and effective results:
- S – See: Visualizing individual skin concerns using MFU-V technology, which allows doctors to view each skin layer in real-time with detailed clarity.
- P – Plan: Because every patient’s skin is different, doctors create a personalized lifting plan by analyzing skin layer images displayed on the device’s screen and determining appropriate energy delivery for maximum effectiveness in each treatment line.
- T – Treat: By identifying key concerns and delivering precise, targeted energy, doctors can avoid sensitive areas, making the treatment more comfortable and ensuring effective lifting results in each treatment line.
Ulthera Prime
Ulthera Prime is the latest model that builds upon Ulthera SPT technology. It works on the same skin lifting and tightening principles but features a more modern design, with a 20% faster processing system, shorter treatment time, reduced discomfort, and a Full HD display screen showing crystal-clear skin layers. These enhancements allow doctors to visualize the skin more clearly and deliver even more precise treatments.
What Can Ulthera Help With?
The Ulthera device includes a display screen that shows the precise depth of energy delivery. Using MFU-V technology, it allows experienced doctors to target treatment with high accuracy, focusing on the SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System) layer—the same layer treated in surgical facelifts. This stimulation contracts the skin structure and delivers comprehensive results:
- Lifts and tightens skin, defining facial contours for a more lifted appearance
- Stimulates collagen production for smoother skin
- Reduces wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and under-eye lines
- Addresses sagging skin problems
- Lifts eyebrow tails and outer eye corners
- Promotes deep skin restoration for a more youthful appearance
“Ulthera lifts and tightens skin for a firm appearance without surgery.“
Who is Ulthera Suitable For?
- Adults aged 30 and above who seek facial lifting and tightening, especially to address early skin sagging and fine lines. Treatment can be applied to the entire face, facial contours, jowls, neck, and chest.
- Those with sagging skin, drooping eyelids, or downturned eye corners who are not ready for surgical facelifts or lengthy recovery. Ulthera can effectively lift eyebrows and eyelids with visible results without changing facial bone structure.
- Individuals with low cheek fat who want a slimmer face, more defined facial contours, visible jawline definition, and reduced jowls
- Busy individuals with limited time for skincare who want skin restoration for firmness, radiance, smaller pores, and smoother texture. Ulthera stimulates deep collagen production, and just one session per year can deliver satisfying results.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Ulthera Treatment?
Advantages of Ulthera Treatment
- Ulthera provides facial lifting and tightening without surgery or any injections.
- It’s a highly safe method using globally recognized technology
- Results are visible from the first treatment, with approximately 30% improvement seen immediately after treatment
- No marks, no wounds, no downtime required
- Single treatment provides results lasting over 1 year
Disadvantages of Ulthera Treatment
- Ulthera treatment involves some discomfort during energy delivery (though pain tolerance varies among individuals)
- After Ulthera treatment, some patients may experience redness that resolves naturally within 1 hour.
- Some swelling may occur for 1 week, depending on the individual skin condition.
Which Areas Can Be Treated with Ulthera?
Ulthera treatment can be performed on both facial and body areas:
- Face – Creates more defined facial contours, reduces skin sagging, and gives skin a fuller appearance
- Eye area – Lifts eyebrow tails and outer eye corners, making eyes appear larger and more youthful, and brighter
- Under chin, neck, jowls – Helps restore skin firmness and tightness
- Chest – Can lift and tighten sagging chest skin for a firmer appearance
- Arms and abdomen – Increases skin tightness and reduces looseness and sagging
Is Ulthera Dangerous? Are There Any Side Effects?
Ulthera is a skin tightening technology with guaranteed lifting effectiveness and safety approvals from the FDA in the U.S. and Europe, as well as certification from Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration. It’s used in over 75% of countries worldwide.
The technology is both safe and highly precise. The Ulthera device delivers thermal energy waves directly to targeted tissue layers using real-time imaging, allowing doctors to visualize the skin’s structure before treatment and avoid affecting surrounding tissues.
Ulthera Treatment Process
How to Prepare Before Ulthera Treatment
Ulthera treatment doesn’t require extensive preparation since it’s a non-surgical procedure. Patients can attend a consultation and inform the doctor about any existing medical conditions, past surgeries, or previous facial procedures. This helps the doctor assess suitability, evaluate facial concerns, plan contouring, and determine the appropriate number of treatment lines. If there are no health issues, treatment can be performed immediately.
Steps During Ulthera Treatment
After the doctor finalizes the treatment plan, the patient’s skin is cleansed and a topical anesthetic is applied for about 45–60 minutes to ensure comfort.
Then, the Ulthera device is used to deliver focused energy to the targeted areas, stimulating collagen and lifting the skin. The treatment takes approximately 45-60 minutes, depending on the areas being treated.
Post-Treatment Care Instructions
Post-Ulthera care is easy to follow:
- Avoid sun exposure or heat for 4-5 days after treatment
- Apply sunscreen regularly before going outdoors
- Follow the doctor’s instructions strictly
How Many Days Until Swelling Subsides? When Will Results Be Visible?
Some swelling after Ulthera treatment is normal. Swelling typically resolves within 2-3 days. Some patients may feel deep swelling when pressing on the treated area, and there may be slight tenderness that resolves naturally in about 2 weeks.
Patients can feel the results and see changes with approximately 30% skin lifting and tightening improvement from the first treatment, with gradual improvement continuing over 3 months.
Can Ulthera Be Combined with Other Procedures?
Yes, Ulthera can be combined with other procedures such as filler injections, Botox, mesotherapy, or thread lifts to achieve clearer results and faster visible improvements. It’s recommended to consult with the doctor to determine the most suitable treatment plan.
How Does Ulthera Differ from Thermage?
- Ulthera uses high-frequency focused ULTRASOUND waves delivered directly to the SMAS layer, emphasizing skin lifting and tightening with defined facial contours to address sagging problems. It’s suitable for those with minimal fat layers and maintains results for approximately 1 year.
- Thermage uses heat from MONOPOLAR RF radio waves delivered to the dermal layer, focusing on collagen stimulation for firmer facial skin, tighter pores, and smoother texture. It’s suitable for those with thicker fat layers for tissue and fat reduction, maintaining results for approximately 1-2 years.
How Does Ulthera Differ from HIFU?
- Ulthera works using ultrasound waves that deliver energy to the SMAS skin layer, which is the deepest skin layer, causing contraction. Ulthera is an innovation that can work with the deepest skin layers, providing better results and effectiveness than HIFU because it can target precisely every treatment line. Results last approximately 1 year, but this comes with more discomfort and higher cost than HIFU.
- HIFU Macrofocus (Ultraformer III) uses the same principles as Ulthera and can stimulate collagen production and facial contouring similarly. However, the intensity of wave transmission is lower, so results last shorter – about 5-6 months, requiring more frequent treatments. Its key advantages are minimal discomfort and lower treatment cost, making it suitable for those who prefer a gentler option.
Ulthera Pricing
Ulthera treatment pricing depends on the skin areas that need to be addressed. An experienced doctor can assess the number of treatment lines needed and select the appropriate transducer depths for each target area. Areas requiring more treatment lines will have higher costs.
Interested in Ultherapy at V Square Clinic? Click to see our latest promotions.
How Do Cheap vs. Expensive Ulthera Prices Differ?
Generally, Ulthera treatments performed by experienced doctors in standard-certified clinics have similar pricing per treatment line used. However, if you encounter extremely low Ulthera prices, you should be cautious, as you risk encountering counterfeit Ulthera machines that do not meet safety standards and pose risks of skin burns, facial damage, or disfigurement.
Safe and effective Ulthera treatment requires authentic equipment operated by experienced doctors. Ulthera isn’t simply about shooting energy across the entire face – it requires using the correct treatment transducers, targeting the right skin layers, and applying appropriate energy levels.
Ulthera Reviews
Ulthera Treatment Reviews
Where to Get the Best Ulthera Treatment?
Before deciding where to get your Ulthera treatment, it’s crucial to choose a reputable clinic that uses certified, authentic equipment.
At V Square Clinic, genuine Ulthera devices imported by Merz Aesthetics are used—approved by both Thailand’s FDA and the U.S. FDA. You can verify clinic authenticity directly through the official distributor site: https://www.merzaesthetics.co.th
How to Choose the Right Clinic?
- Consult an experienced doctor: Ask about treatment details, including benefits, risks, and post-care instructions. Reputable clinics provide clear guidance and transparency.
- Check genuine patient reviews: More reviews usually indicate greater experience and fewer risks of complications.
- Ensure clear communication channels: Choose a clinic that offers reliable contact options (phone, Line, Facebook) and timely responses for appointments or emergencies.
Q&A – Frequently Asked Questions About Ulthera
Q: Is Ulthera Good?
A: Yes, Ulthera is one of the top non-surgical options for lifting and tightening sagging skin. It helps slim the face, define contours, lift eyebrows and eye corners, and reduce fine lines—all in just one session. Results can last up to a year, making it a popular choice for long-term improvement.
Q: How many lines do I need for Ulthera?
A: That depends on your skin condition and which areas you’re treating. In general, most patients start with around 300 lines, but your doctor will assess and personalize the plan for you.
Q: Why does swelling happen after Ulthera?
A: Swelling is a normal reaction to the energy delivered during treatment. It usually goes down within a few days. You can help reduce it by avoiding heat and using a cold compress if needed.
Q: Is Ulthera Painful?
A: You may feel some heat or a tingling sensation during the procedure, but most patients find it tolerable. Your doctor can adjust the energy level if needed. Just keep in mind—lower energy means less pain but shorter-lasting results.
Q: Is Ulthera Safe?
A: Ulthera is approved by both the U.S. FDA and Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA). It’s widely accepted by dermatologists and plastic surgeons from various countries around the world.
Q: How Long Do Ulthera Results Last?
A: On average, results last about a year. This comes with some discomfort during the procedure, but a numbing cream is applied to help reduce the pain.
Q: When Will I See Ulthera Results?
A: You may see about 30% of the result right after the session, as the heat causes your skin layers to contract. Over the next 1–2 months, your skin will gradually feel firmer as your body continues to produce new collagen. The result becomes more noticeable around 2–3 months after treatment.
Ulthera Summary
- Ulthera is a skin lifting and tightening technology using ultrasound energy waves without surgery, no downtime required, and it’s completely safe.
- Ulthera can help lift and tighten skin on the face, neck, and body areas
- Ulthera results show immediate changes after treatment and gradually become more apparent within approximately 3 months, lasting up to one year, depending on the individual
If you’re considering Ulthera, make sure to choose a reputable clinic with experienced doctors, certified devices, and transparent pricing.
Reference
- Fabi SG, Joseph J, Sevi J, Green JB, Peterson JD. Optimizing Patient Outcomes by Customizing Treatment With Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization: Gold Standard Consensus Guidelines from an Expert Panel. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019 May 1;18(5):426-432. PMID: 31141851.
- Park JY, Lin F, Suwanchinda A, Wanitphakdeedecha R, Yu J, Lim TS, Chen JF, Ho W, Lim J, Juniarty L, Kee YS, Youn SJ, Fabi S. Customized Treatment Using Microfocused Ultrasound with Visualization for Optimized Patient Outcomes: A Review of Skin-tightening Energy Technologies and a Pan-Asian Adaptation of the Expert Panel’s Gold Standard Consensus. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2021 May;14(5):E70-E79. Epub 2021 May 1. PMID: 34188753; PMCID: PMC8211327.
- https://ultherapy.com/
What Is Pico Laser? Everything You Need to Know Before Treating Melasma, Freckles, Dark Spots, Ac...
Reading Time: 11 minutesPico Laser is an advanced laser technology designed to address various pigmentation issues such as melasma, freckles, dark spots, acne marks, and acne scars. It works by targeting pigment particles in the skin at an ultra-fast speed,
What Is Sculptra? How Much Does It Cost? How Does It Stim...
Reading Time: 8 minutesSculptra is an advanced skin rejuvenation treatment that works from within by boosting collagen production. It restores firmness and smoothness to aging or sagging skin, offering a youthful appearance. This method is becoming increasingly popular
What Is Belotero Filler and Where Can It Be Injected?
Reading Time: 4 minutesBelotero is a genuine hyaluronic acid-based filler brand from Switzerland, officially imported to Thailand by Merz Healthcare (Thailand) Co., Ltd. It is registered with the FDA in the US, Europe, and Thailand. Belotero offers a range of formulas tailored for different facial areas to ensure optimal results.
What Is Volnewmer? Key Features, Who It’s For, and How Mu...
Reading Time: 8 minutesIs Skin Vitamin Injection really effective? Can it make your skin glow and look healthier? In recent years, Skin Vitamin Injections have become increasingly popular among individuals looking to improve their complexion quickly. Many people choose this method to achieve a radiant, even-toned look while also supporting immune health. Among the most commonly used ingredients is Vitamin C, which is believed to deliver fast and noticeable results.
Skin Vitamin Injection – Is It Safe? Where to Get It? How...
Reading Time: 7 minutesIs Skin Vitamin Injection really effective? Can it make your skin glow and look healthier? In recent years, Skin Vitamin Injections have become increasingly popular among individuals looking to improve their complexion quickly. Many people choose this method to achieve a radiant, even-toned look while also supporting immune health. Among the most commonly used ingredients is Vitamin C, which is believed to deliver fast and noticeable results.
What Is Rejuran? How Does It Brighten Skin and Shrink Por...
Reading Time: 10 minutesRejuran is a medical aesthetic innovation that rejuvenates the skin and enhances skin texture and clarity. It is clinically proven, certified by the Thai FDA, and supported by multiple scientific studies. Its popularity has grown significantly in recent years, especially among those desiring radiant, glass-like Korean skin.
