Ultherapy PRIME: What changes if you've had Ulthera before?
The energy and tip depths are the same as the previous Ulthera; what has changed is the main unit's screen and software.
According to the clearance documents the manufacturer submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ultherapy PRIME was cleared in February 2024 as a modification of the existing Ulthera main unit, with the same ultrasound signal energy and treatment guidelines as the previous device. This means the sensations and records from your past treatments can still be used when planning this one.
What stays the same and what has changed
| Category | Previous Ulthera | Ultherapy PRIME |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Focused ultrasound | Focused ultrasound; same ultrasound signal energy |
| Energy delivery depth | 1.5mm, 3.0mm, 4.5mm by tip | 1.5mm, 3.0mm, 4.5mm by tip |
| Imaging depth | Up to 8mm below the skin | Up to 8mm below the skin |
| Screen | 15-inch, 4:3 aspect ratio | 18.5-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio |
| Main unit | Earlier design | Console design and on-screen graphics redesigned, and hardware updated to current electromedical standards |
| Treatment steps and anesthesia | Self-cleansing, numbing cream, then treatment | Same |
How pain or swelling feels depends more on the area, skin thickness, and intensity than on the device name. A new name does not necessarily mean it hurts less or is stronger.
What the 8mm imaging does
- Checking contact: Using a tip with an imaging function called DeepSEE, we view up to 8mm below the skin and confirm that the tip is properly in contact with the skin.
- Checking depth: Confirming that the treatment depth is appropriate, for example to avoid bone.
- Viewing depth vs. delivery depth: 8mm is the range visible on the image. The depth at which energy is delivered is still one of the three set for each tip, and the new device displays this image on a larger screen.
Areas to reassess
Ulthera-family devices focus ultrasound energy on the fascial (SMAS) layer to contract loosened tissue, so we reassess previously treated areas by the same criteria this time.
- Jawline: A jawline and facial contour blurred by sagging
- Cheek and cheekbone line: Sagging of the cheeks and cheekbone line that have drifted downward
- Overall facial firmness: When overall firmness, rather than a single area, is the concern
Plans that vary with your past records
1. If your last treatment was recent
- Recommended interval: typically every 6 months to 1 year
- Key point: Changes appear gradually over 1~2 months after treatment. We first check how far the changes from your last treatment have progressed, then schedule the next session.
2. If the treatment was quite painful
- Key point: Let us know which areas were especially painful, and we will readjust the intensity and shot distribution for those areas. Numbing cream is applied as before.
3. If some areas felt underwhelming or you were concerned about cheek hollowing
- Key point: We review areas where the change felt insufficient together with any concerns about cheek hollowing, and redistribute shots by area for this treatment. We do not simply carry over your previous shot count.
4. If you have had other treatments since then
- Characteristics: If you have had fillers, thread lifting, or other lifting treatments, please let us know when and where. Because the areas of sagging may have shifted since then, we reassess based on your face as it is now.
When you come for your consultation, try to recall when your last treatment was, which areas were treated and how many shots were used, and how many days any swelling and bruising lasted afterward. This lets us look at your previous treatment and this one as a continuous plan.
Read the comparison of Ultherapy Prime and the previous Ulthera
Procedure order
The steps are the same as before: consultation, self-cleansing, and numbing cream, followed by the treatment. The whole process takes about 1 hour in total, and you can go about your day as usual from the day of treatment.
Aftercare guidelines
- Day of treatment: As before, you can wash your face and wear makeup right away; for the first 3 days, cleanse gently with lukewarm water.
- 1 week: Postpone saunas, alcohol, peels, and scrub products.
- Afterward: Pay attention to sun protection and moisturizing, and taking antioxidants such as vitamin C can be helpful.
For a few days, you may experience throbbing, slight swelling, bruising, or redness. If swelling or bruising lasted a long time after a previous Ulthera treatment, please tell us before the treatment. Please also let us know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, any medications you are taking, allergies, or a tendency to form keloids. If you notice the rare white line marks (white stripes) or numbness that persists, please contact us right away.
Booking and consultation
Face Filter Clinic Suwon offers Ultherapy PRIME in 300 shots, 600 shots, and 1200 shots, and the 1200 shots can be split across 2 sessions. In a personalized consultation, we first check when and where you had previous Ulthera treatments, then decide on the areas and number of shots for this treatment.
This content is provided as general treatment information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a medical professional to decide whether and how to proceed with a treatment.