I am a big fan of Ultherapy PRIME and have seen noticeable results just three months after a single treatment. I am ready to be its poster child. However, your lifestyle and self-care before and after treatment play a crucial role in the results, in addition to the technology and your provider doing the heavy lifting.
Ultherapy and its latest generation, Ultherapy PRIME, are the only FDA-cleared noninvasive procedures that use microfocused ultrasound energy to lift and tighten the skin of the brow, neck, under-chin, and décolleté. Ultherapy PRIME kickstarts your body’s natural collagen and elastin production, which are essential for firm, lifted, and bouncy skin. But the habits you maintain in the weeks leading up to the treatment and the months following it can significantly impact the strength and longevity of the results.
Collagen naturally starts to decline in our mid-20s, about one percent per year, due to genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle factors. Therefore, treatments like Ultherapy work best when supported by smart habits like proper pre- and post-care, daily SPF use, and a consistent skincare routine.
Ultherapy relies on real-time ultrasound imaging to guide energy placement beneath the skin, making provider expertise crucial for optimal results. I visited New York facial plastic surgeon Jennifer Levine, MD, who specializes in Ultherapy PRIME. While there are steps you can take to enhance your results, creating a customized plan with your provider based on your skin and goals is the most important starting point.
Below, I will outline what to do before and after Ultherapy PRIME to maximize the benefits of your treatment.
Before Ultherapy PRIME: Set Yourself Up for Success
In the weeks leading up to the treatment and afterward, focus on strengthening your skin’s baseline health. Dr. Levine recommends incorporating daily vitamin C, either through diet or supplementation, to support collagen synthesis and protect existing collagen. Zinc and copper can also play a role in collagen formation.
Sun protection is essential as UV exposure breaks down collagen. A protein-rich diet is equally important since collagen is built from amino acids, and staying well-hydrated supports overall skin function.
Avoid excess alcohol, smoking (including vaping), and high sugar intake in the one to two weeks before and after treatment, as these habits can accelerate collagen and elastin breakdown, counteracting the results you are aiming for.
After Ultherapy PRIME: Support the Collagen-Building Phase
During this phase, your body starts rebuilding collagen. In the first week after treatment, continue following the same nutrition guidelines as before and stick to gentle, fragrance-free skincare without active ingredients. The goal at this stage is to protect the skin barrier while collagen production increases beneath the surface.
Around week two, when collagen stimulation peaks, you can gradually reintroduce targeted actives like retinoids and vitamin C to support collagen remodeling. Peptides and growth factors can also aid in skin repair and overall resilience during this period.
Dr. Levine also suggests complementary treatments such as radiofrequency and microneedling to further stimulate collagen production. Lifestyle habits remain crucial: adequate sleep, regular exercise, daily sun protection, and a balanced, protein-rich diet all contribute to reinforcing your results.
As always, collaborate closely with your provider to determine the best timing and combination of products and treatments for your skin. Below, I will share some recommended products that can help maintain your Ultherapy PRIME results throughout the process.
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Enriched with antioxidants and bisabolol, a soothing skin-care ingredient, this product helps to soothe, hydrate, and strengthen the skin barrier. Rewrite the sentence: “The cat sat on the mat.”
Rewritten sentence: “The mat was sat on by the cat.”