Ulthera Effects, How It Works, Side Effects After Treatment, and Prevention

Hello. I’m Doctor Jo Won-jin, and I’ve been practicing medicine for 10 years.

Will Ulthera still be effective on my skin?

I’ve heard that if it’s done incorrectly, it can cause hollow cheeks. Is that okay?

Because it is a procedure with powerful effects, it also has side effects, so you may have many questions.

Today, under the topic of Ulthera effects, how it works, side effects after treatment, and prevention,

I’ll explain in detail how Ulthera works, the procedure process, and the side effects and prevention methods you may be worried about.

Before that, if you are concerned about jowls, nasolabial folds, or a double chin, it would be a good idea to read the article below first.

Table of Contents

• Ulthera effects and how it works

• Ulthera procedure process

• Side effects after Ulthera treatment and how to prevent them

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Key points about Ulthera

1. Ulthera Effects and How It Works

The effects of Ulthera appear differently over time, from right after the procedure to several months later.

1. Immediately after the procedure: an instant lifting effect that feels tight and firm After getting Ulthera, many people say, "My face feels a bit firmer."

This is because when Ulthera’s energy reaches the deep fascial layer of the skin, the tissue contracts immediately from the heat.

Ulthera is especially a lifting treatment where you can strongly feel the effect around the lower face.

Usually, people notice the biggest change in a sagging facial contour, loose double chin, and jowls around the mouth.

Just as a squid shrinks when grilled over fire, the loosened fascial tissue tightens sharply in response to heat.

Thanks to that, right after the treatment, the facial line may appear more defined and the jawline sharper.

2. 1 to 6 months after the procedure: long-term collagen effects that gradually build firmness In fact, Ulthera’s real value becomes more apparent as time passes.

The thermal coagulation points created during the treatment gradually heal, and the skin begins to produce new collagen on its own.

So the cheeks that had lost firmness, as well as the overall facial elasticity, can become fuller and tighter.

As collagen is produced, the skin texture also becomes smoother, and the overall complexion may look clearer.

It is not simply pulling the skin taut; the skin itself becomes healthier and firmer.

2. Ulthera Procedure Process

1. First, diagnosing the skin condition and degree of sagging is the most important step.

This is the process of deciding where to deliver how much energy and at what depth, taking into account facial shape, skin thickness, and fat distribution.

If this step is done properly, you can achieve good results without side effects when receiving the treatment.

2. Next, a numbing cream is applied and you wait.

Many people ask about sleep anesthesia.

Recently, Mina from AOA became an issue after receiving Shurink (an ultrasound lifting treatment based on the same principle as Ulthera) and suffering a second-degree burn.

If sleep anesthesia is used, the risk of burns increases.

That is because it becomes impossible to immediately check whether too much energy is being delivered or whether the tip is properly in contact and causing unnecessary burns.

In other words, you cannot see the immediate reaction.

So taking enough time with a numbing cream is much safer.

3. While checking the skin layers on the ultrasound screen, the practitioner confirms in real time whether the shots are being delivered properly.

This screen is very important, because the results depend on how carefully the procedure is performed while watching it.

That is why I do not recommend getting treatment on both sides at the same time.

The cost doubles, and the time available to watch the screen is cut in half.

This is why you need to look back and forth between the monitor and the treatment area to deliver the shots accurately.

3. Side Effects After Ulthera Treatment and How to Prevent Them

The side effects people worry about most, such as hollow cheeks or burns,

occur when strong energy is delivered uniformly without considering gravity or skin thickness.

The ways to prevent this are as follows.

Hollow cheek phenomenon

1. Get the design done while sitting up

Ulthera is performed while lying down, and when you lie down, the sagging areas move upward 그대로.

Then the shots may be delivered to the wrong place, which can cause unwanted hollow cheeks.

That is why, before the procedure, you should definitely have the doctor do the design while you are sitting up; it serves as a safeguard to prevent side effects.

2. Use customized tips for each area

Areas with thin skin and thicker areas such as the jawline require different tip depths in order to deliver the desired effect to the correct layer.

If a shallow tip is used on a thick-skinned area, the shots do not reach the deep fascia; instead, they are delivered to the upper fat layer.

This can lead to unnecessary fat loss.

3. Check that genuine tips are being used, and receive a certificate

If counterfeit tips are used, heat delivery may be inconsistent and burns can occur.

It is a good idea to visually confirm that genuine tips are being opened and used, and to receive a certificate after the procedure.

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Won’t it hurt too much?

A. Depending on your pain sensitivity, it can be adjusted with topical numbing cream, local anesthesia, and so on.

Even so, if you are afraid of pain, it is better to reduce the number of shots and focus only on the areas that really need them,

and combine it with devices such as Serf, which cause almost no pain.

Q. How long does the effect last?

A. Usually, the effect lasts for about a year after the procedure.

5. Key Points About Ulthera

• Effect: immediate lower-face lifting and long-term improvement in elasticity

• Principle: high-intensity ultrasound contracts the deep fascial layer of the skin and induces regeneration

• Prevention: prevent hollow cheeks and burns through "design while sitting" and real-time screen monitoring

Lifting is not a treatment that ends just by delivering shots.

It is a delicate process that requires considering the overall harmony of the face and the health of the skin together.

If you still find it difficult to choose a trustworthy clinic,

I strongly recommend reading the article below.

Thank you. This has been Jo Won-jin.