Ultherapy Prime: Before, During & Post Treatment Care (Step-By-Step Guide)

Ultherapy Prime has quickly gained popularity among those seeking non-invasive skin lifting and tightening. As the upgraded version of the original Ultherapy system, Ultherapy Prime offers faster treatments and enhanced comfort, while still delivering gradual, natural-looking results.

If you’re considering this treatment, understanding what happens before, during, and after can help you feel more confident and prepared—both for the experience and the outcome.

What Is Ultherapy Prime?

Ultherapy Prime uses focused ultrasound energy to stimulate your body’s natural collagen production at three specific depths in the skin: the superficial layer, the dermis, and the deeper SMAS layer (which is typically targeted in surgical facelifts). This helps lift, tighten, and firm areas like the brow, jawline, neck, and décolletage—without surgery or needles.

Compared to the original Ultherapy, Ultherapy Prime features:

• A streamlined delivery system for faster treatment time (usually 45–60 minutes)

• A redesigned handpiece for enhanced comfort

• Optimised energy delivery for effective collagen stimulation with reduced discomfort

Now, let’s break down the process and care tips before, during, and after your session.

Before Your Ultherapy Prime Treatment

Ultherapy Prime requires little to no special preparation, but there are still a few important steps you can take to ensure a smooth experience.

1. Book a Consultation First

Every face is unique, and so is every Ultherapy Prime treatment. A personalised consultation with our doctor helps determine the number of lines (or "shots") needed, and which areas to focus on based on your skin laxity, age, and goals. We’ll also evaluate your medical history to ensure the treatment is suitable for you.

2. Avoid Anti-Inflammatories (If Possible)

Unless prescribed for a medical condition, try to avoid anti-inflammatory medications (like ibuprofen or aspirin) a few days before treatment. These can potentially reduce the inflammatory response your body uses to produce new collagen after Ultherapy.

3. Stay Hydrated

Proper hydration supports your skin’s overall health and healing response. Drink adequate water in the days leading up to your appointment.

4. Skip Aggressive Treatments

Avoid strong chemical peels, laser resurfacing, or other intense facial procedures for at least 1–2 weeks before Ultherapy Prime. Your skin should be calm and free from active irritation or sunburn.

During the Treatment: What Happens in the Clinic & What It Feels Like

The treatment session typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the areas being treated.

1. Topical Numbing for Comfort

To ensure a more comfortable experience, a topical numbing cream will be applied beforehand. Some patients also opt for oral medications or other relaxants, depending on their sensitivity.

2. Marking & Mapping the Face

Our doctor will assess and mark the treatment areas to guide accurate and consistent energy delivery. Each zone is mapped out based on anatomical landmarks.

3. Ultrasound Imaging for Accuracy

Ultherapy is unique because it uses real-time ultrasound imaging, allowing the doctor to see beneath the skin and deliver energy exactly where it’s needed.

4. Delivery of Ultrasound Energy

As the handpiece glides across your skin, you may feel brief moments of heat or tingling beneath the surface—this is the ultrasound energy being delivered. While not usually painful, certain areas (such as the jawline or forehead) can feel more sensitive.

With Ultherapy Prime, patient feedback has shown improved tolerability compared to the older system, thanks to updated energy modulation and ergonomic design.

After Ultherapy Prime: What to Expect Post-Treatment & How to Maximise Results

There’s minimal to no downtime after Ultherapy Prime, and most patients return to normal activities right away.

1. Immediate Effects

• You might experience slight redness or mild swelling, which typically resolves within a few hours.

• Some people feel a gentle tightness or soreness, especially in areas where the ultrasound penetrated deeper.

• Bruising is rare but may occur in sensitive zones or if you’re prone to it.

2. Short-Term Skin Sensations

Over the next few days, you may feel tenderness to touch or a slight tingling sensation beneath the skin—this is normal and indicates collagen remodeling is underway. These sensations usually subside within 1 to 2 weeks.

3. No Special Downtime Needed

You can resume makeup, exercise, work, and your regular skincare routine the same or next day. However, it’s best to:

• Avoid hot saunas or steam rooms for 24–48 hours

• Skip vigorous facial massage for a few days

• Use gentle, hydrating skincare to support skin recovery

4. When Will You See Results?

Ultherapy Prime works by stimulating your body’s natural collagen production, so results appear gradually over 3 to 6 months.

You might notice subtle firming or lifting earlier, but significant visible improvements take time as collagen builds and strengthens the skin’s deeper layers.

Results typically last 12 to 18 months, though this depends on your lifestyle, skincare habits, and natural aging process. Many patients repeat the treatment annually to maintain their lift.

Tips to Maximise Your Ultherapy Prime Results

While Ultherapy Prime doesn’t require ongoing maintenance, here’s how you can support and enhance your outcome:

✓ Combine With Complementary Treatments

Ultherapy Prime lifts and firms, but it can be paired with other treatments to address surface-level concerns:

• Skin boosters to improve hydration and glow

• Lasers or peels to even out skin tone or texture

• Biostimulators like PDLLA, PCL and CaHA for enhanced lifting and sculpting

✓ Protect With Sunscreen

Daily sun protection prevents collagen breakdown and prolongs your results. Use a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days.

✓ Maintain a Collagen-Boosting Routine

Eat collagen-rich foods, stay hydrated, avoid smoking, and use skincare with ingredients like peptides, retinol, or growth factors to support long-term skin health.

Final Thoughts

Ultherapy Prime offers a safe, non-invasive option for those looking to lift and firm the face and neck with no surgery, needles, or downtime. By understanding what to expect before, during, and after your treatment, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy your results and take care of your skin in the process.

Interested in seeing if Ultherapy Prime is right for you? Schedule a personalised consultation with our doctor today.