What is Ultherapy and how does it work?
Ultherapy focuses ultrasound energy at set depths to create small thermal points in the tissue, while the practitioner views the layers beneath the skin on screen.
What distinguishes the device is that the layers beneath the skin can be seen on an ultrasound image during treatment. This visualisation helps confirm that energy is being delivered at the intended depth. Different transducers are used, each concentrating energy at a particular depth, and the choice depends on the area and the thickness of the tissue. The aim is controlled heating of the deeper tissue while the skin surface is protected.
The thermal points trigger the tissue's natural repair process, during which new collagen and elastin production is expected to be stimulated. For this reason, changes do not appear immediately but develop gradually over weeks and months. The degree of response depends on factors such as age, skin quality, sun damage and general health, and it can differ considerably from one person to another.
When is Ultherapy considered, and what does it not do?
It may be considered for mild to moderate laxity of the brow, jawline, under the chin and neck; it does not restore lost volume or remove significant excess skin.
Ultherapy is usually discussed for people whose tissues have begun to loosen slightly while skin quality is still reasonably preserved. A slightly lowered brow, a softening jawline, and laxity under the chin and on the neck are the main concerns assessed. It is also known to be used for fine lines on the décolletage. Which areas are included is decided at consultation according to the structure of your tissue.
The device does not replace volume lost with age; for hollowing at the cheeks or temples, fillers or biostimulators may be more relevant. Expression lines are usually addressed with botulinum toxin. It is not intended to achieve what surgery does for advanced sagging or significant excess skin. Discussing these limits from the outset helps keep expectations realistic and supports a sound treatment plan.
Who may not be suitable for Ultherapy?
Treatment may be postponed or not advised during pregnancy, with active infection, open wounds or skin disease in the area, and with certain implants in the treatment zone.
Treatment is usually postponed during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If there is a cold sore, active acne, eczema, an open wound or infection in the area, treatment is usually delayed until this has healed. Metal implants, fillers or threads in the treatment zone are discussed individually, including their type and timing. For people with very thin skin and little facial fat, whether treatment is appropriate at all is weighed carefully.
Blood thinners, bleeding disorders, poorly controlled chronic illness and a tendency to scar may also affect the plan. Sharing your medical history, current medication and previous aesthetic treatments allows possible risks to be considered in advance. In light of this information, the physician decides whether Ultherapy is suitable for you or whether another approach would be more sensible.
What happens during treatment and afterwards?
The area is cleansed and marked, ultrasound gel is applied and the transducers are passed along planned lines under visualisation; most people return to daily activities afterwards.
Photographs may be taken and treatment lines are marked on the skin beforehand. When energy is delivered you may feel deep warmth or a prickling sensation, which can be more noticeable over bony areas. Pain relief or other comfort measures may be suggested by the physician. The length of the appointment depends on how many areas are treated. If you are visiting from abroad, a consultation before the treatment day is usually arranged.
Afterwards, mild redness, swelling and tenderness to touch may occur and usually settle within a few days. Make-up and your normal skincare can generally be resumed soon. Sun protection and the physician's after-care advice should be followed. Because change is gradual, a review is commonly planned a few months later; for international patients, this can be discussed in advance, including whether it takes place remotely.
What are the possible side effects and risks?
Temporary redness, swelling, tenderness and slight firmness to touch are common; bruising, temporary numbness, nerve irritation and burns are reported rarely.
Common effects are short-lived and usually resolve on their own. Some people notice mild bruising along the treatment lines or tenderness that may last a few weeks. Rarely, temporary numbness, tingling or a temporary change in facial movement due to nerve irritation has been reported. Burns or marks on the skin surface are also among the rare risks. Appropriate energy settings and depth selection are important in reducing these risks.
Treatment should therefore be carried out under the responsibility of a physician who understands facial anatomy and uses the imaging feature correctly. If you notice unexpected pain, persistent numbness or changes in the skin, contact your physician. At a face-to-face consultation in Nişantaşı, your medical history, expectations and tissue structure are assessed together, and a plan specific to you is discussed before any decision is made.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ultherapy the same as HIFU?
Both use focused ultrasound. HIFU is the name of a general technology class covering many different devices, whereas Ultherapy is a specific manufacturer's device that provides imaging during treatment. The differences can be discussed at consultation.
Does Ultherapy hurt?
Deep warmth or prickling may be felt as energy is delivered. The intensity varies with the area and the individual, and comfort measures are planned by the physician.
When will I see a change after Ultherapy?
Because change depends on collagen production, it develops gradually. Most people would expect to notice it over weeks to a few months, although response varies.
How often can Ultherapy be repeated?
The need for repeat treatment depends on age, tissue structure and the ageing process. Rather than a fixed interval, the response to previous treatment and current findings are assessed together.
How soon can I fly after Ultherapy?
Most people return to normal activities soon after treatment, and flying is not usually restricted by the procedure itself. Your individual plan and any other treatments should be discussed with the physician.
How long does an Ultherapy treatment take?
The length of an Ultherapy session depends on how many areas are treated. For the face and neck together, the procedure usually takes roughly one to one and a half hours; smaller areas such as the décolletage or under the chin alone take less time. Cleansing, marking and comfort measures add to the appointment, so ask about the total time at your consultation.
Should I stop blood thinners or fish oil before Ultherapy?
You should not stop prescribed blood thinners on your own before Ultherapy; whether they are paused is decided with the prescribing doctor. Some medicines such as aspirin, and supplements such as fish oil, vitamin E and ginkgo, can increase bruising, so mention them at consultation. Bruising is not common with Ultherapy; when it occurs, it is usually mild and fades within a few days.
How can I tell whether my Ultherapy is done with the genuine device?
To check that Ultherapy is performed with the genuine device, ask the facility for the manufacturer and model, its registration status in Türkiye and whether the transducers are genuine. Ultherapy shows the layers beneath the skin on an ultrasound image during treatment, although imaging alone does not prove authenticity. Because other focused ultrasound devices are sometimes called Ultherapy, ask for the exact device name.
Will my face look saggier than before once Ultherapy wears off?
No; there is no known mechanism by which the face becomes saggier than before once the effect of Ultherapy fades. The stimulated collagen gradually declines as the tissue continues to age, so what you see reflects ageing that would have happened anyway. The rare volume loss reported in people with very little facial fat is a separate issue, linked to transducer and depth selection.
Sources (4)
- U.S. FDA (510(k) Premarket Notification database): 510(k) K180623: Ulthera System (2018)
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology: Microfocused ultrasound with visualization: Consensus on safety and review of energy-based devices (2022)
- Aesthetic Surgery Journal: Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization (MFU-V) Effectiveness and Safety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2025)
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology: Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization for Body Indications: A Global Expert Consensus on Best Practices for Treatment of the Abdomen and Arms (2025)
This content is for general information and does not replace a personal medical assessment.