Ultherapy Prime is a non-invasive skin lifting treatment that uses micro-focused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) to reach the same deep structural layer addressed in surgical facelifts — the SMAS — without incisions, needles, or downtime. Built-in visualization lets your provider see the tissue being treated in real time, delivering precise energy exactly where it’s needed.
How it works
Ultherapy Prime uses focused ultrasound energy to create precise thermal points at specific depths within the skin and SMAS layer, bypassing the surface to stimulate a natural collagen-building response. Real-time ultrasound visualization lets your provider see the tissue layers being treated, along with a more ergonomic handpiece, allowing for more precise, customized energy delivery than earlier-generation devices.
What it treats
- Brow, cheek, and jawline laxity
- Jowling and double chin
- Neck and décolletage
- FDA-cleared for face, brow, neck, décolleté, arms, and abdomen
What does the research show?
A 2025 pilot case series in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open followed 30 patients treated with Ultherapy Prime for jawline and neck laxity; both physicians and patients reported improvement in 100% of cases on a standardized aesthetic improvement scale, and treatment was well tolerated across skin types. This builds on a broader evidence base for micro-focused ultrasound: a systematic review and meta-analysis in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, covering 42 studies, found investigator-assessed improvement in 89% of patients and patient satisfaction reaching 93% for facial and neck treatment, with a favorable safety profile and no reports of scarring or long-term nerve or muscle effects.
What to expect
A typical session takes about 60 minutes depending on the area treated. Ultherapy Prime’s refined energy delivery and ergonomic handpiece are designed to make treatment more comfortable than earlier-generation devices, though some patients feel brief heat or tingling; numbing cream can be used for added comfort. Temporary redness, swelling, or mild tenderness are common and usually resolve within hours to a few days, with no significant downtime. Initial lifting may be visible right after treatment, with the most noticeable results appearing gradually over 2–3 months and continuing to improve for up to a year.
Is Ultherapy Prime right for you?
Ultherapy Prime is well suited for patients with mild-to-moderate skin laxity in the brows, cheeks, jawline, jowls, double chin, neck, or décolletage who want a non-surgical lifting option. It targets the SMAS and deep dermis rather than fat, so it will not cause fat loss, and it is not a replacement for a facelift in patients with more advanced laxity who are good surgical candidates. During your consultation, our team will assess your skin and goals to determine whether Ultherapy Prime on its own, or combined with other HALO treatments like XERF for ongoing collagen support, is the best fit.
Frequently asked questions
Does Ultherapy Prime hurt? Ultherapy Prime’s refined energy delivery and real-time visualization are designed to make treatment more comfortable than earlier-generation devices; most patients feel brief heat or tingling, and numbing cream is available for added comfort.
How many sessions do I need? Most patients need just 1–2 sessions per year, depending on the degree of skin laxity.
Is there downtime? There is no significant downtime; patients can typically return to work and daily activities immediately after treatment.