What is Ultherapy PRIME and how does it work?
Ultherapy PRIME is a lifting device that delivers focused ultrasound energy while showing the layers beneath the skin on real-time ultrasound imaging.
Understanding Lifting · Q9
Understanding Lifting · Q15
When Lifting Results Appear and How Long They Last
Question: When do lifting results appear and how long do they last?
Short answer
Some effects of lifting may be felt right after treatment, but most appear over several months as new collagen forms. According to manufacturer descriptions, Ulthera improves over 2 to 3 months and Thermage FLX over 2 to 6 months, and how long results last differs from person to person depending on skin condition and the pace of aging. Results vary between individuals and reactions such as redness and swelling can occur, so these are checked together during the consultation.
Key points
- Ulthera: final results appear over 2 to 3 months (manufacturer)
- Thermage FLX: improvement over 2 to 6 months (manufacturer)
- Durations are manufacturer descriptions and vary greatly by person
- Evidence on the long-term effects of Onda is still limited
- Thread lift results are usually described as lasting 6 months to 1 year
Why aren't lifting results fully visible right away?
Device-based lifting uses heat to stimulate collagen and relies on the process of new collagen forming, so results appear over several months.
HIFU reviews explain that the heat of the thermal coagulation points denatures and contracts collagen fibers in the SMAS and deep dermis and stimulates new collagen production. This is why the change felt right after treatment differs from the change a few months later.
Right after treatment, swelling can make contours look different, so it is a good idea to assess results over time after the swelling has gone down.
| Treatment | When results appear | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ultherapy PRIME | Final result over 2 to 3 months after initial lifting | Face a year or longer, abdomen and arms up to 6 months (manufacturer) |
| Thermage FLX | Immediate tightening possible, improvement over 2 to 6 months | 1 to 2 years (manufacturer) |
| Onda | Early improvement at 1 month reported in research | Long-term evidence lacking |
| Thread lift | Effect right after treatment | Usually 6 months to 1 year (CELITA Clinic guidance) |
When do Ultherapy PRIME results appear and how long do they last?
The manufacturer of Ulthera explains that some initial lifting may be felt, but the final result appears over 2 to 3 months.
The manufacturer explains that effects on the face may last a year or longer, and on the abdomen and arms up to 6 months, and states that results differ from person to person.
Reactions such as redness, swelling and tenderness can occur after treatment, and most have been reported as temporary.
When do Thermage FLX results appear and how long do they last?
The manufacturer of Thermage explains that results appear after one treatment, some people feel immediate tightening, and improvement continues over 2 to 6 months.
The manufacturer explains that effects may last 1 to 2 years depending on skin condition and the aging process. A survey of 52 doctors in Korea reported that the interval between treatments is mostly set at 1 year.
The manufacturer notes that some people may have temporary redness and swelling.
What about Onda and Shurink Universe?
Manufacturer figures on when results appear and how long they last were not found for Onda and Shurink Universe, so research findings and the consultation are used as references.
A retrospective study of East Asian patients reported that the microwave-based device showed faster early improvement at 1 month, while HIFU showed greater sustained improvement at 3 months. This is a difference in the course of change and does not mean one device is superior.
An international advisory board consensus states that evaluation of the long-term effects and safety of the Onda method is still lacking. For Shurink Universe as well, durations from other devices are not applied directly; guidance is given in the consultation according to your condition.
FAQ
What can I do to help results last longer?
CELITA Clinic's official home care advice is gentle cleansing, moisturizing 3 times more thickly than usual, and using sunscreen even indoors. The maintenance interval is decided in the consultation based on your skin condition.
When should I have lifting before a wedding?
CELITA Clinic's guidance recommends contouring treatments 3 months before, skin boosters 1 month before, and only soothing care in the final week. For lifting, the timing is decided in the consultation to fit your schedule, considering that results appear over several months.
If the effect is weaker than expected, can I have it again right away?
Device-based lifting results appear over several months, so it is better to assess them after enough time has passed. The timing of any additional treatment is decided in the consultation based on your skin condition and previous treatment records.
Important
This article is general medical information, not a diagnosis or treatment. Results, recovery time and side effects vary with each person's skin, and whether a treatment suits you is decided after consultation with a doctor. If you notice unusual symptoms, contact the clinic that treated you right away.
Sources
All questions in Understanding Lifting
- Q8. How does HIFU (ultrasound) lifting work?
- Q9. What is Ultherapy PRIME and how does it work?
- Q10. What is Thermage FLX and how does it work?
- Q11. What is Onda lifting and how does it work?
- Q12. What is Shurink Universe and how does it work?
- Q13. How is the number of shots for a lifting treatment decided?
- Q14. Does a lifting treatment hurt a lot, and how is numbing done?
- Q15. When do lifting results appear and how long do they last?
- Q16. How is a thread lift different from device-based lifting?