Ultra-Precise Non-Surgical Facelift
Introduction
Ultherapy Prime is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that uses ultrasound technology to lift and tighten the skin. It is often referred to as a non-surgical facelift or skin tightening treatment. The procedure stimulates the production of collagen, a protein that helps maintain the skin’s firmness and elasticity.
Microfocused Ultrasound (Ultherapy’s underlying technology) has been FDA approved since 2009 to lift a sagging face. It does this by tightening not only the skin, but the layers under the skin which we call the SMAS. This is a tough layer comprising muscles and the fibrous tissue. This is a strong supporting layer for the face.
Sound waves are focused by Ultherapy Prime to leave tiny shockwaves under the skin and into the SMAS. Each point of these shockwaves triggers a cascade of collagen regeneration that translates into firmer and tighter skin.
Non-invasive & Non-surgical
Ultherapy Prime is a non-invasive, non-surgical method to sculpt the face while giving it a mild facelift-type effect.
About the procedure
The ultrasound energy from Ultherapy Prime triggers a healing response which, eventually after months, makes skin more elastic and more radiant. Skin forms new and improved collagen, which gradually tightens and lifts the skin from within. Collagen and elastin fibers are the main supportive structures within the skin against gravitational effects.
Ultrasound energy is delivered to desired depths below the surface of the skin, while leaving the top layers including the epidermis completely unaffected. With no breakage of skin, the Ultherapy Prime procedure involves absolutely no recovery time.
The layer of skin that is of interest is the fibromuscular layer (also called the SMAS). It is a tough layer in the face and neck, and is rich in collagen and elastin. The SMAS is the layer which surgeons target in an open facelift procedure to produce the lift. It is also this layer which threads inserted during thread lifts procedures attach to.
The SMAS can now be accurately visualised with Ultherapy Prime and energy (focused ultrasound) delivered precisely to it. The energy contracts the fibrous tissue within the SMAS and gives rise to a mild facelift-type effect.
Ultherapy Prime’s safety profile is unparalleled. Having operated Ultherapy since 2009, we have not experienced any form of serious injury from Ultherapy, which sometimes can happen with most other energy based treatments.
Sometimes with Ultherapy, a reaction resembling a mild mosquito-bite, happens. These so called wheals are temporary and will typically settle within a few days.
You won’t be handed off to a beauty consultant here. You’ll sit down with Dr David Loh himself, who’ll take a proper look at your face, talk through what’s bothering you, and go over your medical history before anything is planned. From there, he’ll tell you plainly which areas — face, neck, brow, chin, décolletage — are worth treating, and which aren’t. If Ultherapy PRIME isn’t the right fit for you, he’ll say so.
1. Cleansing and topical anaesthesia— your skin is cleansed and anesthetic cream is applied to minimise any discomfort even though Ultherapy Prime is already more tolerable than the legacy version.
2. Gel application — a layer of ultrasound gel goes on, so the energy can transmit cleanly.
3. Real-time imaging — Ultherapy PRIME lets Dr Loh see the layers beneath your skin on screen before he treats them, so the energy goes exactly where it should — into the SMAS layer, well clear of bone, vessels and nerves.
4. Energy delivery — the device delivers focused ultrasound in small, controlled pulses along each treatment line. You’ll likely feel warmth or a bit of tingling as it goes — that’s the collagen-rebuilding process kicking in.
5. Comfort — how much you feel varies from person to person and area to area. Bony areas tend to be more sensitive, most patients find it very manageable, and Ultherapy PRIME’s refined delivery tends to be more comfortable than the legacy device. If you’re concerned, just ask Dr Loh about other anesthetic options beforehand.
A full session usually takes 30 minutes depending on how much ground you’re covering — and because Ultherapy PRIME delivers energy faster than the legacy system, it’s often quicker than a traditional Ultherapy visit.
No downtime, no redness, no bleeding, no bruises and surely no hiding out at home. Most patients go straight back to work, the gym, or dinner plans. Your skin might in fact look a little bit taut from the mild swelling immediately after the the Ultherapy treatment.
There may be some tenderness or tingling for a day or two — nothing that should slow you down. The final results take patience: your skin keeps rebuilding collagen quietly in the background, with visible lifting and tightening showing up gradually over the next 2 to 3 months.
| Feature | Traditional Ultherapy | Ultherapy PRIMENewer |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Focused ultrasound with real-time DeepSEE imaging | Same focused ultrasound platform, upgraded software and console |
| Transducers & treatment depth | Same transducer line, 1.5mm / 3.0mm / 4.5mm depths | Identical transducers and depths — no change |
| Treatment time | Standard session length | ~20% faster per session |
| Imaging & display | Standard DeepSEE screen | 35% larger screen, sharper real-time visualisation |
| Comfort | Tolerable but dreaded. | More tolerable, and patients look forward to it. |
| Clinical results | Gradual lifting & tightening over 2–3 months | Same outcomes, but seems better in terms of lifting anecdotally from our long time patients. |
| FDA clearance | Cleared since 2009 | Same clearance and safety profile |
| Best for | Patients prioritising proven track record | Patients wanting a shorter, more comfortable visit |
Non-invasive and Consistent Results
Ultherapy (skin-tightening with Ulthera) has been shown to produce measurable lifting of lax skin. In the pivotal clinical trial, noticeable improvement occurred in nearly 9 out of 10 patients (89%) resulting in less hooding or skin laxity on the upper eyelid and a more open, refreshed appearance overall.
Ultherapy Prime is a non-surgical procedure, meaning it doesn’t involve incisions or downtime associated with traditional facelift surgery.
Ultherapy Prime allows for precise targeting of specific areas, such as the face, neck, and décolletage, to address localised sagging or laxity.
Results from Ultherapy Prime are gradual and natural-looking, avoiding the sudden and sometimes artificial appearance that can be associated with surgical procedures.
While some patients may experience temporary redness or swelling, there is typically minimal downtime associated with Ultherapy Prime. Most people can resume their normal activities shortly after the procedure.
The collagen production stimulated by Ultherapy Prime can continue over several months, and the results may last for an extended period. However, individual responses may vary.
Besides lifting the face, Ultherapy Prime is one of the few non-surgical skin-lifting treatments that’s approved for the neck, under the chin, brow and décolletage. As an “off-label” use, it can also sculpt the bulky face, which can be a benefit to many of us.
Ultherapy is backed by more than a decade of published clinical evidence.
Dr David Loh helped the original Ulthera principle, before it was acquired by Merz Aesthetics, launch the product in South East Asia and Australia. This was back in 2011. The product was just called Ulthera then. Dr David Loh knew this was the frontier and devoted not only his practice, but also to educate other doctors, about the potential Ultherapy will hold for aesthetic medicine at that time. Time has proven him right.
Fast forward to today. We know Ultherapy works and is very popular. Never mind the social media (K-pop buzz particularly), there is real science behind the product.
Here’s the brief synopsis on why it is a success.
Fundamentally because the device shows the doctor what’s happening beneath your skin in real time, he/she can see exactly where the energy is going before he delivers it — targeting the SMAS layer precisely, well clear of bone, blood vessels and nerves. And the energy is thus not wasted on other tissues or through coupling (conduction across skin) issues. That’s all. That’s technology.
Firstly, don’t expect any downtime. No bleeding, no bruising, no redness but in fact you will look radiant immediately from the flush of the treatment.
What you might notice — and what’s completely expected — is:
Right after the treatment, akin looks taut and radiant from all the fuss. One can go out to lunch without worries. There are no exceptions.
The real collagen that forms will come with time. From 2 weeks to 3 months later. And it will be like the tautness of the first day.
Redness — more like flushing and usually gone within a few hours.
Mild swelling — can last a few hours to a few days.
Tenderness — a bit like muscle soreness after a workout. It usually settles within a few days, and honestly, it’s a sign the treatment is doing its job.
A little bruising — not everyone gets this, and when it happens it’s localised and fades within a few days. More likely if you’re on blood thinners.
Temporary tingling or numbness — can take a few days to a few weeks to fully settle. It doesn’t need any treatment of its own.
In experienced hands, serious complications are uncommon — but you should know what they are:
Safer and More Comfortable
The recovery process after Ultherapy Prime is generally minimal compared to traditional surgical procedures. Here are some key points regarding the recovery process:
Immediate Effects: Some patients may experience mild redness, swelling, or tingling immediately after the Ultherapy Prime procedure. These effects are usually temporary and should subside within a few hours.
Resume Skincare Routine: Patients can generally resume their regular skincare routine, including applying makeup, shortly after the procedure. It’s essential to follow any specific post-treatment instructions provided by the practitioner.
Hydration and Sunscreen: Staying well-hydrated and using sunscreen to protect the treated areas from sun exposure is advisable in the days following the procedure. Sun protection is crucial to support the skin’s healing process.
Gradual Results: While some patients may notice initial improvements, the full results of Ultherapy Prime are typically gradual and may continue to develop over the following weeks and months as the stimulated collagen production takes effect.
Avoiding Intense Physical Activities: While there is no strict restriction on physical activities, it’s advisable to avoid intense workouts or activities that may cause excessive sweating for a day or two after the procedure.
Follow-Up Appointments: Depending on the individual and the treatment plan, practitioners may recommend follow-up appointments to assess the results and determine if additional sessions are needed.
Our Founder
Dr. David Loh founded David Loh Surgery in 2002, during the early days of Aesthetic Medicine. He obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the National University of Singapore and has over 30 years of clinical experience, with more than 20 years dedicated to aesthetics.
Dr Loh is Accredited by MOH to perform liposuction. He is best known as an international trainer for BTX and Dermal Fillers. He has published extensively on injection techniques and the management of serious complications, with one of his papers awarded a Gold Medal by the PRS Global Journal. His contributions to the field include serving as the immediate past President of the Society of Aesthetic Medicine in Singapore.
Call us at +65 6733 9114 for further details.
Contact Information
Tel: (+65) 6733 9114
WhatsApp: (+65) 8878 8045
Email: info@davidloh.sg
Wechat ID: davidlohsurgery
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