Ultherapy Prime

Ultherapy Prime is an enhanced ultrasound-based treatment that counteracts mild to moderate skin laxity caused by aging, gravity, and declining collagen production. As the only FDA-cleared ultrasound procedure for a non-invasive lift, it delivers focused energy deep into the dermis and SMAS layers—stimulating new collagen and elastin where firmness naturally begins.

With upgraded handpieces, refined ultrasound imaging, and improved energy delivery, Ultherapy Prime offers:

• Faster treatment times for larger areas
• Improved comfort with gentler, more efficient energy pulses
• Greater precision for collagen-rich layers beneath the surface
• More customizable results, especially in delicate areas like the lower face, jawline, and under-chin
• Expanded treatment versatility to naturally lift and firm the face, neck, abdomen, arms, buttocks, and thighs

La Jolla Cosmetic Laser Clinic is recognized as an Ultherapy Premier Plus practice, offering exceptional expertise and consistently high patient outcomes.

Patients in La Jolla and San Diego choose Ultherapy Prime for its powerful, natural-looking rejuvenation. Key benefits include:

• A more lifted, contoured appearance
• Tighter, firmer skin on the face, jawline, neck, and décolletage
• Smoother texture with improved elasticity
• Faster, more comfortable treatments than previous Ultherapy systems
• No downtime or recovery period
• Treatment options for both the face and body areas
• FDA-cleared for non-invasive lifting

Most Ultherapy Prime treatments at La Jolla Cosmetic Laser Clinic take about an hour, depending on the areas being addressed. To help reduce any potential discomfort, we typically recommend taking 800 mg of ibuprofen approximately 45 minutes before your appointment.

When you arrive, your provider will review your treatment plan, cleanse the skin, and apply ultrasound gel. Once the Ultherapy Prime handpiece is placed on the skin, you may feel gentle warmth beneath the surface as the device begins delivering its precise, focused ultrasound energy.

As the handpiece moves across the treatment area, Ultherapy Prime targets specific depths within the skin—including the dermis and the SMAS layer, the same foundational tissue addressed in surgical facelifts. The energy passes safely through the outer epidermis without causing surface damage. When the ultrasound energy reaches these deeper layers, it is converted to heat, triggering the body’s natural wound-healing response.

This response stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin—two essential proteins responsible for skin’s firmness, elasticity, and youthful structure. While there is no actual injury to the skin, your body interprets the precise thermal energy as a signal to regenerate. Over time, the newly formed collagen strengthens and tightens the treated tissues, leading to a subtly lifted, firmer appearance.

Ultherapy Prime uses refined imaging and upgraded handpieces to deliver more accurate, consistent energy than previous Ultherapy systems. These improvements allow your provider to see the collagen-rich layers in real time and deposit energy exactly where it’s needed—typically at 4.5 mm and 3.0 mm depths. These tiny, targeted energy deposits are called thermal coagulation points (TCPs).

TCPs create a two-phase effect:

• Immediate tissue contraction for a subtle tightening effect
• Gradual, long-term collagen remodeling, which continues to improve definition through the lower face, jawline, neck, and other treated areas over several months

Because Ultherapy Prime’s energy bypasses the skin’s surface, most patients find the treatment more comfortable than many other skin-tightening technologies, and there is no downtime or recovery period afterward. You can return to your normal activities immediately.

The result? A naturally lifted, firmer look—often including better jawline definition, smoother neck contours, a refreshed cheek area, and even a gentle brow elevation, depending on the areas treated.

One of the standout advantages of Ultherapy Prime at La Jolla Cosmetic Laser Clinic is that it remains completely non-invasive, with no downtime or recovery period required. You can return to work, exercise, run errands, or engage in social activities immediately after your appointment without restrictions.

Because Ultherapy Prime delivers its focused ultrasound energy beneath the skin’s surface, the outer layers remain unharmed. This is why the treatment is so well-tolerated and requires minimal post-care.

Right after your session, you may notice:

• Slight redness or warmth in the treated areas
• Mild swelling or puffiness
• Tenderness when touching the skin
• A temporary tingling or “tight” sensation

These effects are normal signs that collagen-stimulating activity has begun. They are nearly always mild and temporary, typically fading within a few hours to a few days.

Some patients may experience:

• Minor, temporary numbness in small areas
• Light bruising, especially along the jawline or neck, may occur if these areas were treated more intensely.

These less common effects are still considered normal and should resolve naturally without intervention. Your provider will review all potential side effects during your consultation so you know exactly what to expect.

Importantly, Ultherapy Prime does not require dressings, ointments, or any special post-treatment care. You are free to resume your regular skincare routine, apply makeup, and continue normal activities right away.

Most patients feel completely comfortable returning to daily life immediately, while collagen production continues working beneath the surface for weeks and months to come.