Why Is Ulthera Designated as the “Gold Standard”? Let’s Look at the Research

Why Is Ulthera Designated as the ‘Gold Standard’?

Let’s Look at the Research

Hello. I’m Kim Jin-hyun, Chief Director at You&I Clinic Mokdong Branch.

If you have looked into lifting procedures, you may have heard the name “Ulthera” at least once. The procedure name is familiar,

but when asked, “What makes Ulthera so special?” many people find it hard to answer right away.

Especially nowadays, as various HIFU (high-intensity ultrasound) lifting devices have appeared,

more and more people are asking, “Does it really have to be Ulthera?”

However, in the medical field, Ulthera is still recognized as the ‘Gold Standard’

—that is, the standard and benchmark device for noninvasive lifting.

The reason is not simply that it has been around for a long time, but because its effectiveness and safety have been scientifically proven through extensive clinical evidence

and technological capability.

Today, based on what has actually been covered in academic papers, I will explain in detail why Ulthera

is still called the benchmark for lifting.

Table of Contents
1. What is the principle behind Ulthera?​2. Why Ulthera is the ‘Gold Standard’—Let’s look at the papers​3. Then is Ulthera always the right choice?

1. What is the principle behind Ulthera?

Ulthera is a representative ultrasound lifting procedure that uses high-intensity focused ultrasound

(HIFU, High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound). This energy reaches the

deepest layer of the skin, the SMAS layer (superficial musculoaponeurotic system),

and works by tightening the inside of the skin without causing surface damage.

To explain the principle more simply, it is similar to focusing sunlight with a magnifying glass to concentrate heat at one point.

Ulthera precisely concentrates this ultrasound energy at a specific depth within the skin, generating heat above 65°C,

and this heat contracts existing collagen fibers while also promoting new collagen production. As a result, the skin

regains elasticity from within,

and sagging areas are lifted.

In other words, Ulthera does not directly “pull” the skin.

Rather, it is a procedure that tightens the structures inside the skin so that the skin can recover its elasticity on its own.

Because of this mechanism based on human anatomy,

you can expect a natural and long-lasting lifting effect.

2. Why Ulthera is the ‘Gold Standard’

Let’s look at the papers

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

The following paper, published in an international journal of aesthetic dermatology,

discusses in detail why microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) technology was

designated the ‘Gold Standard’ in the field of noninvasive lifting.

First, Ulthera (MFU-V) is the only noninvasive lifting device officially approved by the U.S.

FDA for lifting the brows, jawline, neck,

and chest wrinkles (décolleté).

This means it has passed some of the strictest standards in the world, and it is not merely a device that “works,” but one whose safety and efficacy have been scientifically

verified.

In addition, Ulthera’s effectiveness has been proven in more than 50 clinical studies and more than 90 SCI papers to date. In the paper, the following results were presented based on actual clinical data:

Eyebrow lifting: On day 90 after the procedure, a lifting effect was confirmed in 86% of patients

Jawline and neck: 65.6% experienced improvement in sagging after the procedure

Décolleté (chest): Improvement in fine wrinkles continued in 62% of patients even after 6 months

Body areas such as the knees and arms: Improvement in skin elasticity was confirmed in 86% of patients even 180 days after the procedure

A new version of Ulthera, Ultherapy Prime, has recently been released. ^^

As such, consistent improvement has been reported not only on the face but also in various parts of the body,

and some studies have shown that the effect can last up to 1–2 years.

Another standout feature of Ulthera is not simply that it “delivers energy,” but that it allows the practitioner to perform the procedure while directly viewing the internal skin structure

through real-time visualization (DeepSEE).

Thanks to this, the practitioner can directly identify the target tissue—such as the SMAS layer, fat layer, or dermal layer—and deliver energy to the precise depth.

Skin layers visible through Ulthera DeepSEE

Other HIFU devices do not have this visualization function, so they are, quite literally,

closer to a blind procedure based on intuition.

Because of this, the likelihood of side effects such as nerve or blood vessel damage, or hollowing of the cheeks, is higher. In contrast, Ulthera minimizes these risks and is therefore evaluated as the lifting device with the highest level of safety and

precision.

For these reasons, Ulthera is recognized worldwide as the

‘Gold Standard’ for noninvasive lifting.

3. Then is Ulthera always the right choice?

Ulthera is certainly an excellent lifting device, but it is not always the best choice for everyone.

The appropriate procedure can vary depending on skin condition, amount of fat,

and degree of elasticity.

In particular, because Ulthera delivers strong energy all the way to the SMAS layer,

careful adjustment of the treatment intensity and depth is necessary for people with less cheek fat or a thinner face. If this is overlooked, there is a possibility of side effects such as

cheek hollowing or damage to subcutaneous tissue.

MarkVue imaging is helpful for skin diagnosis.

Therefore, if you are considering Ulthera,

rather than simply thinking, “It works well, so I should get it too,” it is essential to first assess your skin thickness,

fat layer, and degree of elasticity, and then determine a customized treatment intensity.

No matter how good the device is, if it is used in a way that does not suit your skin, satisfaction may actually decrease.

The reason Ulthera is called the ‘Gold Standard’ is not just a marketing phrase.

Its safety and efficacy have been scientifically proven through dozens of clinical papers and FDA approval, and its real-time visualization technology

makes careful and safe lifting possible.

However, no matter how excellent Ulthera is, it cannot be applied in exactly the same way to every facial type and skin condition. What matters is

finding the treatment intensity and depth that suit me,

and designing a lifting plan that looks most natural on my face.

Ulthera is the benchmark for lifting, but even within that benchmark, a customized approach

creates the real results.

I hope you will remember that.

Thank you for reading this long post.

This was Kim Jin-hyun, Chief Director of You&I Clinic Mokdong Branch. ^^

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