During my third trimester of pregnancy, I noticed something that added to the long list of humbling pregnancy symptoms: my jawline seemed to disappear. Though I’ve always carried a bit of extra fat in my face, the combination of pregnancy edema (due to soon-to-be-diagnosed preeclampsia) and weight gain made my jawline—once a distinct feature—seem practically nonexistent.
I remember standing in front of my bathroom mirror and Googling “What is Ultherapy?” as I mentally bookmarked the procedure for when I’d recover post-birth. While I shed the weight and swelling within about a year, my jawline never quite bounced back. At one point, after my son turned one, I tried a few sessions of Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling on my lower face. The results were subtle and decent, but I was looking for something more dramatic. By the time my son was two, I finally booked a two-hour Ultherapy appointment with dermatologist Jaime Glick at New York Dermatology Group.
What Is Ultherapy?
“Ultherapy is a non-invasive skin-tightening treatment that stimulates collagen and elastin production,” explains Dr. Glick. “It’s FDA-cleared for lifting the skin on the brow, neck, under the chin, and improving lines and wrinkles on the décolletage.” Unlike lasers or microneedling, Ultherapy bypasses the top layers of skin and uses ultrasound energy to target deeper dermal layers, creating a thermal effect that promotes new collagen production.
Michael Bassiri-Tehrani, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, adds, “Ultherapy’s ultrasound energy penetrates the skin’s surface and heats the targeted tissue, which triggers the body’s natural healing response. This leads to the production of new collagen, which improves skin elasticity over time.”
I was drawn to Ultherapy for its promise of noticeable results with just one session and minimal downtime—a perfect option for busy moms like me.
What Is the Ultherapy Appointment Like?
The day before my appointment, a nurse from Dr. Glick’s office called to confirm the appointment and prepare me for the possibility of pain. She explained the pain management options available during the treatment, which I appreciated. With a high pain tolerance, I opted not to numb the area, wanting to experience the treatment firsthand for this story. Upon arriving, Dr. Glick marked the treatment areas—from my upper collarbone to my cheeks—and used a device to measure my skin’s depth. Then, the zapping began.
“Ultherapy allows for real-time visualization of the skin tissues,” Dr. Glick explains. “We use multi-level transducers that are tailored to the specific needs of each patient.”
How Long Does Ultherapy Take?
Ultherapy can take anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the areas being treated. My session lasted about two hours, with the device being passed over each area 40-60 times for two rounds. While time-consuming, the process was manageable.
How Painful Is Ultherapy?
As mentioned, I took half a Vicodin about 15 minutes before starting, and I was glad I did. As Dr. Glick ran the device over my cheeks, it felt like a series of rubber band snaps—sharp but brief stings that faded quickly. “One side of the face typically hurts more,” Dr. Glick noted. On a scale from one to ten, with ten being childbirth, Ultherapy on my jawline and neck was a solid 8.5. I squirmed and took the second half of the Vicodin, all while squeezing two stress balls and trying to recall Lamaze breathing techniques.
The pain was more of a burn followed by an ache, and the sensation could be intense due to the sheer number of zaps needed on each area. But it’s a bit of a mind game—once Glick moved to the next area, there was instant relief. For those with a lower pain threshold, laughing gas and other pain management options like nitrous oxide are available to help ease the discomfort.
What Was the Recovery Like?
One of the best things about Ultherapy is that it has almost no downtime. “You might experience slight swelling immediately after the procedure, and some mild soreness upon touch,” Dr. Glick explains. “Occasionally, there may be minor bruising or tenderness, but most patients can resume normal activities immediately after treatment.”
For me, my face was sore to the touch for about a week, but there was no bruising or noticeable swelling. In fact, this is the kind of procedure you could easily do during a lunch break and return to work right after.
What Are the Risks of Ultherapy?
As with any procedure, there are some risks to be aware of. According to Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani, “Temporary discomfort, swelling, redness, or bruising can occur in the treated area. Though rare, facial nerve damage or temporary numbness and tingling may also happen.” It’s also worth noting that results can vary, with some patients experiencing minimal improvement.
Before proceeding with Ultherapy, it’s important to have a thorough conversation with your provider to understand any potential risks, particularly if you have any underlying health conditions.
Ultherapy Before and After
Now, more than six months post-treatment, I am absolutely thrilled with the results. The “tech neck” lines across my neck are less noticeable, and my jawline is noticeably more defined. The biggest improvement is under my chin and around my jawline, where the contour has become more distinct. I also saw a softening of the smile lines around my mouth, which was a pleasant bonus.
Is Ultherapy Worth It?
For me, Ultherapy was absolutely worth it. The procedure was quick, recovery was minimal, and the results have been noticeable and long-lasting. I was particularly impressed by how the results gradually revealed themselves over the course of a few months. While the pain was intense, it was temporary, and the lifting results were definitely worth the discomfort.
However, if you have significant skin laxity, Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani notes that “non-invasive treatments like Ultherapy may not be sufficient. In cases of more extreme sagging, it’s often better to skip non-invasive methods and consider surgery, such as a facelift or neck lift, which provides more predictable, permanent results.”
