ultherapy-non-surgical-skin-tightening-treatment
  • Ultherapy is an FDA-cleared non-surgical skin-tightening treatment
  • Tighter skin in less than an hour
  • Ideal for sagging skin, jowls, eyes or brows

Home » Treatments » Face » Ultherapy
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Medically reviewed by Lorcan Sheppard BSc MBBS FRCA, Chief Medical Officer for The Private Clinic of Harley Street, London.
Last Reviewed April 18th 2024

Ultherapy

Ultherapy is a non-surgical skin tightening procedure that is suitable for the face, neck, décolletage, chin and eyebrows. Ultherapy uses micro-focused ultrasound with visualisation (MFU-V) energy for natural-looking results.

Ultherapy skin tightening is available in our clinics in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Northampton and Buckinghamshire.

What can Ultherapy treat?

Ultherapy is an FDA-cleared, and gold-standard non-invasive treatment that is an alternative to laser skin tightening.

It targets:

  • Full Face, Neck & Décolletage
  • Brow lift (non-surgical brow lift)
  • Neck lift
  • Sagging Skin
  • Sagging Jowls
  • Poor skin laxity / Loss of skin strength
  • Turkey Neck
  • Sagging/Drooping Eyelids
  • Lines and wrinkles

Benefits to your skin

  • This type of energy bypasses the surface of the skin to treat depths not matched by any other non-invasive cosmetic device.
  • The non-invasive Ultherapy ultrasound technique stimulates the production of collagen and elastin to reverse the visible signs of ageing.
  • The collagen & elastin production results in clinically significant lifting and tightening of layers of tissue which other lasers are not FDA-cleared to perform.
  • Celebrities including Tess Daly, Jennifer Aniston, Christie Brinkley and Kim Kardashian have used Ultherapy for a neck lift.

Tess Daly has utilised this world-class skin tightening procedure to keep her skin looking luminous, youthful and well-rested. Discover how Tess Daly has benefited from the treatment in her article for The Telegraph, featuring The Private Clinic.

“I believe in investing in my skin as I do in my general skin health, looking after what you have got. Ultherapy works with your own skin to leave you looking refreshed and like you’ve had a good 8 hours of sleep. Ultherapy only took an hour with no downtime, and over time my skin looked more radiant, boosted and fresh.” – Tess Daly, April 2021

Ultherapy at a glance

Procedure Time
30 – 60 mins

Downtime
24 hours

Final Results
3 – 6 months

No. of Treatments
1 treatment

Results Last
1 year

What are the benefits of Ultherapy?

  • The Gold Standard in non invasive skin tightening technology.
  • Non-Surgical treatment option
  • Treatment time from 30 minutes
  • Long-lasting natural looking results
  • FDA Approved treatment
  • No downtime, minimal recovery time
  • Stimulates new collagen and elastin, to help reverse the signs of ageing
  • Suitable for treating the full face, neck and décolletage
  • 2 million treatments performed worldwide
  • Over 95% patient satisfaction one-year following treatment
  • Ultherapy has won its 9th New Beauty Award as the Best Non surgical Skin Tightener in 2022!
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ultherapy-gold-standard-non-surgical-lifting-and-skin-tightening

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Ultherapy Before & After Photos

Take a look at the Before and After photos to see the lifting and tightening Ultherapy results



What to Expect

The Private Clinic has been treating patients for over 40 years with thousands of people placing their trust in us each year. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a personalised service. We have a team of friendly nurses and expert surgeons who understand the importance of this decision and will support you throughout your journey with us.

Ultherapy Treatment

A consultation is required before treatment to discuss suitability and areas to be treated.

On the day of treatment, the full face is cleansed and gel is applied for the applicator to start its work. The practitioner will use Ultherapy’s focused ultrasound imaging to see deep within the skin to determine the optimal placement of the treatment energy.

The ultrasound treatment energy will be deposited to precise depths within the skin to encourage the production of collagen and elastin.

Ultherapy treatment for the full face and neck areas usually takes around 60 – 90 minutes. Ultherapy for the décolletage / chest takes about 30 minutes.

Whilst Ultherapy is not considered to be a painful treatment. Some discomfort may be felt. Painkillers and/or topical anaesthetic numbing cream can be used prior to treatment. Your practitioner will ensure you are feeling comfortable throughout the treatment.

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After Your Ultherapy Treatment

The recovery time following Ultherapy treatment is minimal. The skin on the area treated may appear red initially, but this will go down after a couple of hours.

Some patients may experience slight swelling, tingling or tenderness to the touch, but these will be mild and temporary in nature.

Patients will be able to return to their normal activities immediately after the procedure without any post-treatment recovery time restrictions or requirements.

What are the results from Ultherapy?

The results from Ultherapy are gradual and it can take three to six months to see results from treatment.

Some initial results as the collagen and elastin production starts can be seen a few days following treatment.

Most patients will only need one Ultherapy treatment but if skin laxity is severe then they may benefit from multiple treatments.

The results from Ultherapy can last for up to two years. We recommend treatments to be performed once a year, or once every two years. Or maintenance treatments can be performed every six months. Your practitioner will be able to provide more guidance on which treatment plan would be best for you.

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Ultherapy FAQs

FAQs

What is Ultherapy?

Ultherapy is a non-surgical treatment that the FDA has cleared for lifting the skin on the neck, chin, brow and décolletage. It is considered to be the Gold Standard in skin-tightening technology.

Ultherapy uses micro focused ultrasound to lift and tighten loose skin over time, without any downtime.

The treatment increases collagen and elastin production, which helps reverse the signs of ageing by lifting and tightening layers of skin tissue which other laser treatments are not FDA cleared to treat.

It may also be referred to as a non-surgical facelift procedure.

Am I suitable for Ultherapy?

Ultherapy is suitable for patients who are starting to notice the visible effects of the natural ageing process.

Ultherapy works best on patients who have mild to moderate skin laxity and have noticed their skin is looking less firm or tight in appearance.

Patients who have loose skin on the neck, lines or wrinkles on their chest, sagging under the chin and loose skin around the eyes can expect to achieve a natural and gradual lift which can leave you looking a lot more refreshed.

Patients who have more severe levels of skin laxity and sagging may sometimes be advised to consider a facelift procedure to achieve a better result.

Is Ultherapy the same as Thermage?

hermage is another cosmetic skin tightening treatment. Although they may sound similar; Ultherapy is a different process which uses pulses of ultrasound to create a thermal effect which encourages collagen production beneath the surface of the skin.

Thermage instead uses radio waves to stimulate the collagen under the skin which tightens the existing collagen and starts the production of new collagen too.

If you are unsure of what treatment is best for you, come in for a consultation to find out more.

Does Ultherapy hurt?

Patients may feel mild discomfort when the ultrasound energy is delivered but this will only be a temporary sensation. Our expert team will be on-hand to ensure patients are feeling comfortable throughout the treatment.

How many Ultherapy treatments will I need?

In most cases, patients will only require one Ultherapy treatment.

In cases where there may be more significant skin laxity then multiple treatments may be advised to get the best result.

The natural looking results from Ultherapy can last up to two years. We do recommend to help maintain results that patients look to have a treatment at least once every two years.

How long do the results from Ultherapy last?

The results from Ultherapy treatment have been known to last over a year.

Is there any downtime after Ultherapy?

There is no downtime after an Ultherapy procedure. Patients will be able to return to their normal activities straight after treatment. Some patients may experience temporary redness to the areas treated but this will settle in the hours following treatment.

Is Ultherapy safe?

Ultrasound imaging has a proven track record having been safely used in medicine for over 50 years. Ultherapy treatment has had over 1 million treatments performed worldwide and is the only micro-focused ultrasound technology process that has been reviewed and cleared in the US by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Ultherapy treatment is also CE certified for non-invasive lifting and sculpting of the skin on the face, neck and décolletage.

What are the side effects from Ultherapy treatment?

As with all cosmetic treatments, side effects may occur following treatment. These will all be fully discussed during your consultation. The most common side effect from Ultherapy treatment is redness in the treated area. This will subside a few hours after treatment. Some patients may also experience swelling, tingling or tenderness but these are mild and temporary in nature. Other, less common side effects may include temporary bruising or numbness on small areas of skin which your practitioner will review with you.

How does Ultherapy work?

Ultherapy treatment works by encouraging new collagen and elastin to be produced. It also strengthens existing collagen and restores structure to the skin.

Collagen occurs naturally within the skin and is a natural protein that keeps the skin firm, toned and youthful in appearance. As we age, our collagen production gradually decreases, and the existing collagen starts to lose skin strength and the ability to fight against the effects of gravity which results in sagging of the skin.

Can Ultherapy treat ageing eyes?

Ultherapy has been FDA cleared for use on the eyes as well as the face, neck and décolletage. The ultrasound treatment works to stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin underneath the surface of the skin which generates a lifting effect. Ultherapy can be used on the brow to lift and tighten the skin and it can also improve the appearance of drooping eyelids.

Ultherapy is only suitable for use under the eyes on eyebags if the targeted area is on the bone. If you are looking to improve the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, then we have a selection of other treatments that may be more suitable.

To find out more about our treatment for ageing eyes, contact us to book a consultation with one of our experts.

When can I see the results from Ultherapy?

The results from Ultherapy treatment are gradual but some patients may see the initial signs of lifting in the days following treatment.

The natural-looking results from treatment will be more visible after three to six months which is how long it can take for the new collagen to build and lift the skin.

Results can last up to two years.

How much does Ultherapy cost?

The cost of Ultherapy treatment starts from £500.

To get a more accurate quote and find out more about treatment, book a consultation with one of our experts.

Consultations with our expert Ultherapy practitioners are £25 however this cost is redeemable against the price of any skin treatment that you wish to book following your consultation.

Where can I have Ultherapy?

Ultherapy treatment is available in our clinics in;

To find out more about booking a consultation at a clinic near you, contact us here.

Is Ultherapy the same as Thermage?

Ultherapy may sound similar to Thermage treatment but they are not the same.

Ultherapy uses ultrasound technology to create a thermal effect that encourages new collagen production. Thermage instead uses RadioFrequency technology to tighten existing collagen whilst also encouraging new collagen.

This energy difference is important because ultrasound can generally reach deeper into the dermal layer

Both Ultherapy and Thermage are FDA-approved non surgical procedures that help to improve the signs of aging.

What is a Gold Standard treatment?

Ultherapy is now considered the ‘Gold Standard’ in non-invasive skin tightening and lifting treatments and technology.

An expert consensus acclaimed Ultherapy as the gold standard in lifting and tightening (as published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology). 

Ultherapy is the only treatment using Microfocused Ultrasound with Visualization which is able to deliver the precise amount of energy needed at the correct depth to ensure the best outcome of treatment.

Ultherapy can specifically target the essential layers of the skin with three different treatment tips of varying depths. This enables the treatment to achieve superior results when compared to older and even newer similar devices.

2 million treatments have been performed in more than 80 countries worldwide resulting in over 95% patient satisfaction one year after treatment.

These are the reasons why it’s considered to be the gold standard skin tightening procedure.

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Book a consultation to find out more.

What areas can Ultherapy treat?

Ultherapy has been FDA cleared to treat the full face, neck and décolletage

It can achieve noticeable results on the brow, cheek and jowl areas in particular. 

Does Ultherapy treatment hurt?

Whilst Ultherapy is a non-invasive treatment, some discomfort may still be felt.

Everyone’s pain threshold is different so what is felt may vary from person to person.

Most patients experience slight discomfort whilst the ultrasound energy is delivered. Many describe it as a heat or tingling sensation below the dermis.

Your expert practitioner will be able to help you with managing any discomfort. They may suggest painkillers that you can take before treatment.

Numbing cream is also available on request, but generally, painkillers are a better way to manage this due to the Ultherapy working at a dermal level. Numbing creams only numb the epidermis but it can still provide some additional comfort to those who need it.

How long does Ultherapy treatment take to perform?

The time taken for Ultherapy treatment to be performed will depend on the area being treated.

On average, a full face, lower face, or neck treatment can take 60 – 90 minutes.

Treatment for the chest or décolletage usually takes around 30 minutes to perform.

Your practitioner will be able to advise on how long you will be in the clinic for your treatment following your consultation.

Why Choose The Private Clinic

  • Expert medical practitioners with years of experience.
  • State of the art medical facilities, all registered by the CQC (Care Quality Commission).
  • Our innovative treatment choice means you will be offered the most advanced minimally invasive treatment options.
  • When it comes to non-surgical treatments we always strive to give you little to no downtime, so you can get back to enjoying life.
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