Ulthera® Prime
Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco now offers Ulthera® Prime, the newest generation of the Ultherapy® system, at our Post Street office in downtown San Francisco. If you have looked into Ultherapy® before, or you are researching non-surgical options for tightening the skin of the face and neck, this page explains what Ulthera® Prime is, how it works, and what to expect from treatment with our team.
What Is Ulthera® Prime?
Ulthera® Prime is the current generation of Ultherapy®, the ultrasound-based skin tightening treatment we have offered our patients for years. Like the original Ulthera® device, Ulthera® Prime uses ultrasound energy to heat the deep layers of the skin while leaving the surface layers cool and unaffected. This process stimulates your body to produce new collagen, which gradually lifts and tightens the treated area over the following months.
What sets Ulthera® Prime apart from earlier versions of the device is its use of real-time visualization. As our registered nurse guides the handheld applicator across your skin, a screen displays the deep tissue layers being treated. This allows for precise placement of ultrasound energy exactly where it is needed, which supports both comfort and consistent results.
Ultherapy®, the technology behind Ulthera® Prime, has been used in millions of treatments and is supported by a substantial body of published research. It remains the only ultrasound skin-tightening treatment cleared by the FDA to use real-time imaging during treatment.
What Can Ulthera® Prime Treat?
At Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco, Ulthera® Prime is used to lift and tighten:
- The jowls
- The forehead and brow area
- The upper eyelids
- The chin
- The neck
Because it works below the surface of the skin, Ulthera® Prime addresses the deeper support structures that contribute to sagging, rather than treating surface texture alone.
Why Do Patients Choose Ulthera® Prime?
Patients considering facial rejuvenation often want visible improvement without surgery, incisions, or a lengthy break from their normal routine. Ulthera® Prime offers a middle path between doing nothing and committing to a surgical facelift or neck lift.
Reasons our patients choose Ulthera® Prime include:
- It is non-surgical, with no incisions, sutures, or anesthesia required.
- There is no recovery time built into the treatment; most patients resume their normal activities right away.
- Results develop gradually and look natural, since they come from your body’s own collagen production rather than an injected filler or implant.
- The real-time imaging built into Ulthera® Prime allows for a more precise, personalized treatment than earlier ultrasound skin-tightening technology.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ulthera® Prime?
Ulthera® Prime is best suited for patients who have some visible skin laxity, such as mild sagging along the jawline, loose skin under the chin, or drooping at the brow, but who are not yet ready for, or do not want, a surgical procedure.
A thorough examination and detailed medical history will determine whether Ulthera® Prime is the right choice for you. During your consultation, we will discuss your goals and evaluate whether Ulthera® Prime, or another treatment we offer, is the better fit.
If your primary concern is fullness under the chin rather than loose or sagging skin, Kybella® injections may be a more appropriate option, and we can help you determine which treatment best matches your particular concern.
What Should You Expect During Your Ulthera® Prime Treatment?
At Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco, all Ulthera® Prime consultations and treatments are performed by our registered nurse under the supervision of our board-certified dermatologists. Our staff has been thoroughly trained in the operation of the Ulthera® Prime device, including any follow-up training needed to keep pace with updates to the technology.
Before your treatment begins, a numbing cream is applied to the treatment area, which typically takes half an hour to take effect. We also recommend taking a non-prescription pain reliever prior to your appointment to help minimize any discomfort.
During the treatment itself, our nurse moves the handheld Ulthera® Prime applicator across the treatment area while viewing a screen that shows the deep layers of your skin in real time. This imaging helps determine the appropriate depth for delivering ultrasound energy in each area. Depending on the size and number of areas treated, your appointment may take approximately half an hour to two hours.
What Is Recovery and Aftercare Like?
One of the appeals of Ulthera® Prime is that it fits into a busy schedule. There are no activity restrictions after your treatment, and you can apply makeup right away if you would like to cover any temporary redness.
Some patients experience mild bruising or swelling for a day or two following treatment. This is generally minor and resolves on its own.
What Results Can You Expect?
Ulthera® Prime works with your body’s own collagen production, so results are not immediate. Most patients begin to notice improvement over three to six months as new collagen builds beneath the skin.
Many patients maintain their results with a single treatment about twice a year. Because everyone’s skin responds differently, we will talk with you about a realistic timeline and maintenance plan based on your specific skin and goals during your consultation.
Why Choose Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco for Ulthera® Prime?
Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco has served San Francisco patients from our Post Street office for well over a century. Our board-certified dermatologists bring together decades of combined training, including academic appointments at UCSF, and take a collaborative approach to patient care, often reviewing individual cases together to arrive at the best recommendation.
We are selective about the treatments we offer. Before adding any device or technique, including Ulthera® Prime, to our practice, we study it closely to be confident it is worthy of our patients, and we make sure our staff receives the training required to deliver consistent, well-supervised results. All Ulthera® Prime treatments at our office are performed by our registered nurse under direct physician supervision, so you can feel confident that experienced clinical oversight is part of every visit.
To learn more about our team, visit our Meet the Doctors page, or browse our full range of cosmetic dermatology services.
How Do You Schedule Your Ulthera® Prime Consultation in San Francisco?
If you are curious whether Ulthera® Prime is right for you, the next step is a consultation with our team. We will review your skin, discuss your goals, and help you decide whether Ulthera® Prime or another treatment is the best match.
Call Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco at 415-362-2238 or visit our Contact Us page to reach our office. Our team is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and we look forward to helping you learn more about Ulthera® Prime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ulthera® Prime the same as Ultherapy®?
Yes. Ulthera® Prime is the current generation of the Ultherapy® system. It uses the same ultrasound-based approach to stimulate collagen production, with updated real-time visualization technology.
How is Ulthera® Prime different from the original Ulthera® treatment?
The main difference is real-time imaging. As the treatment is performed, a screen displays the deep layers of your skin, which helps our clinical team target ultrasound energy more precisely than with earlier versions of the device.
Does Ulthera® Prime hurt?
We apply a numbing cream before treatment to help minimize discomfort, and we recommend taking a non-prescription pain reliever beforehand as well. Comfort during treatment can vary from patient to patient.
Is there any downtime after Ulthera® Prime?
There are no activity restrictions after treatment. Some patients notice mild, temporary bruising or swelling, but most people return to their normal routine right away.
When will I see results from Ulthera® Prime?
Results build gradually as your body produces new collagen, typically becoming visible over three to six months after treatment.
How long do Ulthera® Prime results last, and will I need more than one treatment?
Many patients maintain their results with one treatment about every six months. We will help you plan a maintenance schedule based on how your skin responds.
Who performs Ulthera® Prime treatments at Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco?
Our registered nurse performs all Ulthera® Prime consultations and treatments under the direct supervision of our board-certified dermatologists.
