Ultherapy PRIME: What Kind of Device Is It?

Hello.

I’m Kim Ha-won from Beauty’s Doctor.

Many people lightly lift the skin beside their cheekbones

with their fingers in front of the mirror,

and eventually type

“Ultherapy” into the search bar.

But when they actually look for information,

statements such as

“one ultrasound treatment lifts the face”

and

“it is the nonsurgical version of a facelift”

get mixed together,

which can make things even more confusing.

To give you the conclusion first,

👉 Ultherapy (HIFU) is indeed a lifting treatment that does not involve incising the skin

👉 and delivers heat to the SMAS layer.

However,

the statement that “the face is immediately lifted after one treatment”

is only partly true.

If you understand how it actually works

and when changes begin to appear,

you can set much more realistic expectations.

📌 You need to understand the SMAS layer first

The SMAS* is

a firm fascial layer beneath the skin.

When a facelift is performed in plastic surgery,

it is also the very layer that the surgeon pulls directly.

When this layer begins to sag downward,

✔️ the area below the cheekbones can look heavy,

✔️ the jawline becomes less defined,

✔️ and the boundary between the face and neck can appear less distinct.

The issue is that the SMAS layer

is located much deeper than the skin.

Conventional lasers and radiofrequency treatments

often act mainly on the epidermis and dermis.

By contrast, the key to Ultherapy

is delivering energy accurately

to this deep SMAS layer.

📖 SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system)

A fascial layer located approximately 4.5 mm beneath the skin,

it supports the contours of the face.

⚡ Ultrasound is concentrated at a single point and sent deep into the skin

Ultherapy works by concentrating

ultrasound energy

at specific points inside the skin.

Simply put,

it is similar to using a magnifying glass

to focus sunlight on one point and burn paper.

The skin’s surface remains unchanged,

while heat points measuring 60–70 degrees Celsius

are created only at the designated depth.

When these heat points form,

collagen fibers immediately contract slightly.

The body then recognizes the area

as a place that needs recovery

and begins producing new collagen.

The pharmacological or physical mechanism of action

of Ultherapy treatment

is based on this collagen regeneration process.

✔️ Immediate micro-contraction

✔️ Collagen regeneration over several months

These two processes occur simultaneously.

📍 1.5 mm · 3.0 mm · 4.5 mm

Each depth has a different role

Ultherapy is used by combining

different depths, even on the same face.

That is because the goal itself

differs depending on which layer is targeted.

✔️ 4.5 mm

This is the depth of the SMAS fascial layer.

It is the key layer for lifting sagging contours.

✔️ 3.0 mm

This is the deeper layer of the dermis.

It helps improve skin elasticity and thickness.

✔️ 1.5 mm

This is the superficial layer of the dermis.

It is more closely associated with improving fine lines, pores, and skin texture.

For example, even on the same face,

4.5 mm may be used primarily beside the cheekbones,

3.0 mm on the forehead,

and 1.5 mm around fine lines near the mouth.

Therefore, if during your consultation

the practitioner explains

“which depths will be combined and how,”

it may mean that they are examining

the condition of your face in detail.

👀 The key to Ultherapy is “performing the treatment while viewing the tissue”

The formal concept behind Ultherapy

is called MFU-V.

Simply put,

👉 it means performing the treatment while viewing the ultrasound image.

On the treatment screen,

a cross-section of the skin appears as a black-and-white image.

The medical professional views the screen,

directly confirms the location of the SMAS layer,

and delivers the energy.

This is important because

the depth of the SMAS varies slightly from person to person.

Rather than automatically delivering energy at a predetermined depth,

the practitioner adjusts it after viewing the actual location of that person’s layer.

Therefore, even among HIFU treatments,

the difference in accuracy can depend on

“whether the treatment is performed while viewing the tissue.”

🔍 This is why it is described as “between surgery and a treatment”

Ultherapy affects the same layer as a facelift

in that it addresses the SMAS layer.

However, it differs in that

it delivers only ultrasound without making an incision with a scalpel.

Therefore, there is no bleeding or incision,

and returning to daily activities on the day of treatment is generally possible.

However, unlike surgery, which directly pulls and fixes the skin,

it takes time for the body to produce new collagen.

That is why Ultherapy is often described as

👉 “lifting just before surgery”

👉 “between surgery and a treatment.”

In particular, it tends to be used mainly

in age groups where changes in the fullness around the cheekbones

or changes in the contour line

begin to be observed.

Conversely,

❌ when there is almost no sagging yet

❌ or when sagging has already progressed significantly,

the extent of expected changes may be small.

Therefore, during a consultation,

it is important to first determine

“whether this is the right time for Ultherapy.”

⏳ Does the face lift immediately after one treatment?

You may feel a slight pulling sensation

or a sense of firmness immediately after the treatment.

However, the “definite change in facial contours”

that many people expect

appears somewhat more gradually.

The changes that begin to occur in the body

as the injected substances and energy take effect

generally progress gradually over several months.

This is because it takes time

for new collagen to be produced

and for the tissue to reorganize.

Therefore, if you expect to see a dramatic effect in the mirror on the same day,

you may find the result less satisfying than expected.

Rather, it is closer to a treatment

that gradually creates a natural, refined appearance over time.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How is it different from other ultrasound lifting treatments?

A. The biggest difference is

that the SMAS layer is confirmed on the screen

while the treatment is performed.

Even within the same HIFU category,

accuracy can differ depending on

whether the treatment is performed while viewing the tissue.

Q. Will Ultherapy make my face smaller immediately?

A. Ultherapy is not a treatment

that reduces the bones

or shaves down the facial contours.

It is closer to the concept of making

the jawline and facial contours

look more defined

by lifting sagging tissue back upward.

Q. Will the results last a long time after just one treatment?

A. Although individual results vary,

changes generally appear over several months,

and the duration of the results also differs from person to person.

Differences may occur depending on the degree of skin sagging,

lifestyle habits,

and the rate of aging.

[Post-Treatment Precautions and Side Effects]

After Ultherapy (HIFU) treatment,

temporary redness, swelling, pain, or bruising

may occur depending on the individual’s skin condition and constitution.

In addition, if energy is excessively concentrated

on a specific area

or stimulation is applied along a nerve pathway,

serious side effects such as temporary nerve paralysis,

reduced sensation, skin burns,

or blisters may occur.

Therefore, before treatment, you must have a thorough consultation

with an experienced medical professional at a nearby medical institution,

and the treatment must be performed according to a precise design.

If abnormal symptoms persist after treatment,

you must immediately visit the medical institution where you received the treatment

and receive appropriate care.

Thank you for reading this long post.

This was Kim Ha-won.