What Is Ultherapy PRIME? Which Faces Are Suitable for Ultherapy?

Hello! This is Skin On Air by a dermatologist couple at Jamsil On Dermatology.

You have probably heard of Ultherapy many times, right? Today, we will take an in-depth look at what Ultherapy exactly is and who it is suitable for.

When your skin seems more sagging than before and your jawline starts to lose definition, many people begin considering lifting treatments, right? Among them, many people think of Ultherapy first.

Ultherapy is a representative lifting treatment that delivers ultrasound energy to the deep layers of the skin without incisions.

Recently, Ultherapy PRIME, an upgraded version of the original Ultherapy, was launched, making more precise treatments possible.

Today, we will take a detailed look at the principles of Ultherapy PRIME and who it may be suitable for.

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**How Ultherapy PRIME Works

Ultherapy PRIME is a lifting device that uses focused ultrasound (HIFU, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound).

Simply put,

just as focusing sunlight on one point with a magnifying glass can burn paper,

it concentrates ultrasound energy at a specific depth within the skin to create small Thermal Coagulation Points.

The important point is that

it causes almost no damage to the skin’s surface,

while generating heat only in the deeper layers of the skin.

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**Why Does It Create a Lifting Effect?

When the tissue within the skin is exposed to heat of approximately 60–70℃,

collagen fibers immediately contract.

For this reason, some firmness may be felt even immediately after the treatment.

Afterward, as the damaged tissue undergoes a recovery process,

the production of new collagen and elastin is stimulated,

resulting in a gradual lifting effect over approximately 2–3 months.

In other words,

• Immediate collagen contraction

• Long-term collagen regeneration

These two processes occur together, which is the core principle of Ultherapy.

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**Ultrasound Reaching the SMAS Layer

The biggest difference between Ultherapy and other lifting devices is that

it can deliver energy to the SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) layer.

The SMAS is an important tissue layer that is tightened during facelift surgery and

is located much deeper than the dermis.

Ultherapy

• 1.5 mm

• 3.0 mm

• 4.5 mm

uses cartridges with various depths to provide treatment tailored to each person’s skin condition, from the dermal layer to the SMAS layer.

The treatment targets the fascia (SMAS) layer at 4.5 mm, the fat layer at 3.0 mm, and the dermal layer at 1.5 mm.

Because Ultherapy is primarily performed for lifting, the 4.5 mm and 3.0 mm cartridges are mainly used.

The number of lines or shots used at each depth is determined according to the individual’s face and the treating physician’s judgment.

That is why it is important for the physician to examine you first and create a treatment design before the procedure, right?

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**How Ultherapy PRIME Differs from the Original Ultherapy

The basic lifting principle of Ultherapy PRIME is the same as that of the original Ultherapy.

However, as the device itself has been upgraded, the accuracy and convenience of treatment have improved.

The main changes are as follows.

① Clearer Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging

One of Ultherapy’s greatest advantages is its DeepSEE™ imaging system, which allows treatment while directly viewing the structures beneath the skin.

In PRIME, the image resolution has been improved,

allowing the skin layers and SMAS to be viewed more clearly during treatment.

This enables energy to be delivered more accurately to the intended layer.

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② Faster Treatment

Ultrasound image processing and system performance have been improved,

shortening treatment time compared with the original system.

This can help reduce patient discomfort.

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③ Improved User Interface

The system has been improved so that medical professionals can assess the skin condition more intuitively

and perform treatments more efficiently.

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**Who May Be Suitable for This Treatment?

Ultherapy PRIME may be suitable for people with the following concerns.

When facial firmness has decreased

• Sagging cheeks

• Loss of jawline definition

• Sagging in the lower cheek area

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When concerned about a double chin

By improving the firmness of the tissue beneath the chin and reducing fat,

it may reduce fullness beneath the chin and lift the jawline, allowing you to expect a more defined jawline.

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When nasolabial folds appear deep

This is not a treatment that fills the nasolabial folds themselves.

However, when firmness has significantly decreased, improving cheek sagging may make the nasolabial folds appear relatively less pronounced.

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When there is sagging around the eyes

If drooping eyebrows make the eyes look heavy or you feel a sense of heaviness when opening your eyes,

lifting around the eyebrows (Ultherapy for the eye area) may help create a more defined appearance.

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When you want lifting but feel surgery is burdensome

Although the effect may be less pronounced than with surgical methods such as a facelift, it may be a good option for people who want lifting without incisions and a relatively quick return to daily activities.

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**What Age Group Is Ultherapy Particularly Effective For?

Generally,

satisfaction tends to be higher among people in their late 30s to 50s.

However, more important than age is

the degree of skin firmness and sagging.

Even people in their early 30s may be good candidates if skin sagging has begun,

and it may also be helpful for people in their 60s or older, depending on their skin condition.

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There are also cases where Ultherapy may not be suitable

In the following cases, another lifting treatment may be more appropriate.

• When there is very little facial fat

• When the amount of fat is greater than the degree of skin sagging

• When the skin is severely sagging and surgical correction is required

In such cases,

it may be helpful to accurately assess the individual’s skin condition and consider Thermage, titanium lifting, volume treatments, or other options together.

Have you heard that Ultherapy can cause hollowing in the cheeks?

If the treatment is performed without considering the condition of the face and without proper design, there is a higher possibility of cheek hollowing.

Therefore, first consult with a physician to determine whether Ultherapy is suitable for you.

In addition, to maximize the effects of Ultherapy, reduce the possibility of cheek hollowing, and receive treatment tailored to your face,

it is very important to create a treatment design before the procedure.

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Conclusion

Ultherapy PRIME is not simply a treatment that pulls the skin’s surface.

It is a lifting treatment that delivers ultrasound energy to the SMAS layer within the skin and promotes collagen regeneration.

In particular, Ultherapy PRIME’s key feature is that its upgraded imaging system and improved treatment convenience allow medical professionals to perform more precise procedures.

Therefore, be sure to check in advance whether the treating physician personally provides the consultation, creates a design suited to your face before the procedure, and then performs the treatment.

Even when the same device is used, lifting results are greatly influenced by accurately assessing each person’s skin thickness, amount of fat, and degree of sagging, and by applying the appropriate depth and energy.