What is Ultherapy? Complete Guide in Gangnam 2026

Ultherapy is an FDA-cleared non-invasive lifting procedure that delivers micro-focused ultrasound energy to the SMAS layer at depths of 1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm, heating tissue to 60-70 degrees Celsius to stimulate new collagen production. A single session of 300-500 shots takes 60-90 minutes and produces measurable lifting results in 86% of patients within 90 days.
What is Ultherapy? Complete Guide in Gangnam 2026

How Ultherapy Works: Micro-Focused Ultrasound Technology

Ultherapy uses micro-focused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) to deliver concentrated acoustic energy beneath the skin surface. The device generates ultrasound waves that converge at precise focal points, creating thermal coagulation zones measuring less than 1mm in diameter. These controlled micro-injuries heat tissue to 60-70 degrees Celsius at targeted depths of 1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm, reaching the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) without disrupting the epidermis.

The SMAS layer is the same tissue plane surgeons address during facelift procedures. By targeting this deep structural layer non-invasively, Ultherapy initiates a wound-healing cascade that produces new collagen and elastin fibers over the following 2-3 months. The integrated ultrasound imaging allows practitioners to visualize tissue layers in real time before delivering each pulse, ensuring energy reaches the intended depth with millimeter precision.

Who Benefits from Ultherapy Treatment

Ideal Candidates

Ultherapy is designed for patients aged 30-65 experiencing mild to moderate skin laxity in the face, neck, and decolletage. Ideal candidates notice early signs of sagging along the jawline, brow drooping, or loose neck skin but are not yet ready for surgical intervention. The treatment works across all Fitzpatrick skin types I through VI, making it suitable for a wide range of patients. Those with realistic expectations about gradual, natural-looking improvement over 2-3 months are the strongest candidates.

Contraindications

Patients with active skin infections, open wounds in the treatment area, or severe cystic acne should postpone Ultherapy until those conditions resolve. The procedure is not recommended for individuals with metallic implants in the treatment zone. Pregnant or nursing patients are advised to wait. Those with very advanced skin laxity requiring more than 5mm of tissue repositioning may achieve better outcomes with surgical approaches combined with energy-based maintenance.

What Happens During an Ultherapy Session

The treatment begins with cleansing the face and applying a thin layer of ultrasound gel. The practitioner places the Ultherapy transducer against the skin and uses the built-in imaging screen to identify the correct tissue depth before delivering energy. A full-face treatment requires 300-500 individual shots depending on the treatment plan and the number of zones covered. The forehead, temples, cheeks, jawline, submental area, and neck each receive targeted passes with specific transducer depths.

Session duration ranges from 60 to 90 minutes for a comprehensive full-face and neck protocol. Patients experience brief pulses of heat and tingling during energy delivery, with discomfort levels averaging 4-6 on a 10-point scale. Many clinics in Gangnam provide comfort measures including topical numbing cream applied 30-45 minutes before the session and oral analgesics to reduce sensation during treatment. No incisions, needles for the procedure itself, or general anesthesia are involved.

Ultherapy Results and Timeline

Initial skin tightening is visible immediately after treatment due to collagen contraction from thermal exposure. The primary lifting effect develops gradually over 2-3 months as the body generates new collagen fibers in response to the controlled micro-injuries. Peak results appear at 3-6 months post-treatment. Clinical studies demonstrate that 86% of patients show measurable improvement in skin laxity, with brow elevation averaging 1.5-2.0mm and jawline tightening visible on standardized photography.

Results from a single Ultherapy session last 12-18 months depending on the patient's age, skin condition, and lifestyle factors. Collagen degradation is an ongoing biological process, so periodic maintenance sessions every 12-18 months help sustain the lifting effect. At RE:BERRY Gangnam, Aesthetic Medicine Specialist Yoon-Gon Ryu designs individualized treatment protocols that may combine Ultherapy with complementary energy devices to address multiple tissue depths in a single visit.

Clinical Evidence Supporting Ultherapy

Ultherapy received FDA clearance in 2009 for non-invasive brow lifting, making it the first and only ultrasound device cleared for this indication. Subsequent clearances expanded to include the submental area and decolletage. Over 50 peer-reviewed studies and more than 4 million treatments worldwide support its safety and efficacy profile. Fabi et al. documented sustained tissue lifting at 180 days post-treatment with a single session protocol. Fabi SG et al. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39(6):899-906. doi:10.1111/dsu.12183

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ultherapy treat?
Ultherapy targets 3 distinct tissue depths at 1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm to lift and tighten skin on the face, neck, and decolletage. It addresses brow drooping, jawline sagging, submental laxity, and neck skin looseness by stimulating collagen production in the SMAS layer and dermis through focused ultrasound energy.
Who is a good candidate for Ultherapy?
Patients aged 30-65 with mild to moderate skin laxity across all 6 Fitzpatrick skin types are ideal candidates. Those noticing early jawline softening, brow descent, or neck looseness benefit most. Individuals with severe sagging requiring more than 5mm tissue repositioning may need surgical options for optimal correction.
How long does Ultherapy take?
A full-face Ultherapy session takes 60-90 minutes for 300-500 shots depending on the treatment zones covered. Adding the neck and decolletage extends total procedure time to 90 minutes. Including 30-45 minutes of pre-treatment numbing cream application, the complete appointment requires approximately 2 hours from arrival.
Is Ultherapy FDA approved?
Ultherapy received its first FDA clearance in 2009, making it the only ultrasound device cleared for non-invasive brow lifting. It has 3 separate FDA clearances covering the brow, submental region, and decolletage. Over 4 million treatments have been performed worldwide since regulatory approval across multiple countries.
What results can I expect from Ultherapy?
Clinical data shows 86% of patients achieve measurable lifting within 90 days, with brow elevation averaging 1.5-2.0mm. Initial tightening appears immediately from collagen contraction, while full results develop over 2-3 months as new collagen forms. A single session sustains visible improvement for 12-18 months.
Does Ultherapy hurt during treatment?
Patients report discomfort levels of 4-6 on a 10-point scale during energy delivery without anesthesia. With topical numbing cream applied 30-45 minutes beforehand, scores drop to 2-3. The sensation consists of brief heat pulses lasting under 1 second per shot. Discomfort subsides immediately after each pulse is delivered.
How deep does Ultherapy penetrate compared to other devices?
Ultherapy reaches 4.5mm depth to target the SMAS layer, which is 2-3 times deeper than radiofrequency devices like Thermage that treat at 1.5-3.0mm. Three interchangeable transducers address depths of 1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm in a single session. This multi-depth approach treats the dermis and deep foundational tissue simultaneously.

Book a Consultation

Free consultation. We respond within 24 hours.

Thank you! We will contact you within 24 hours.