Everything you need to know about Ultherapy in Newport Beach — how it works, what to expect, recovery, results, costs, and who is the right provider. Performed by Jim Hooper, Ultherapy-certified and inventor of the Butterfly Facelift.
This is the definitive guide to Ultherapy as it is offered at Newport Beach Skin Tightening. Whether you are considering Ultherapy as a standalone treatment or as part of our exclusive Butterfly Facelift protocol, this guide will answer every question patients commonly ask during consultation.
What Is Ultherapy?
Ultherapy is the only FDA-cleared non-invasive procedure that uses focused ultrasound to lift the skin on the brow, chin, neck, and décolleté. Approved by the FDA in 2009, it has a longer clinical track record than most non-surgical lifting treatments on the market.
The technology delivers focused ultrasound energy beneath the surface of the skin to stimulate the production of new collagen at a deep tissue level. The result is a natural lift over time, without surgery, injections, or downtime.
How Ultherapy Works at the Tissue Level
Three layers of tissue are targeted during an Ultherapy session:
- Superficial dermal layer (1.5mm depth) — addresses fine lines and surface tone
- Deeper dermal layer (3.0mm depth) — addresses overall elasticity
- SMAS layer (4.5mm depth) — the same layer plastic surgeons lift during a traditional facelift
The ability to reach the SMAS layer non-invasively is what makes Ultherapy unique. Most other non-invasive treatments only address the upper layers of skin.
Treatment Areas
Ultherapy is FDA-cleared for:
- Lifting the brow
- Lifting the chin and neck
- Improving lines and wrinkles on the décolleté
It is commonly used to address jowls, sagging skin under the chin, loose neck skin, brow hooding, and crepey décolleté.
What to Expect During the Session
A typical Ultherapy session takes 60-90 minutes, depending on the areas treated.
- Consultation and prep (15 min) — Jim reviews your concerns, takes baseline photos, and prepares the treatment areas.
- Treatment (45-75 min) — ultrasound gel is applied; the Ultherapy applicator delivers controlled energy. You will feel sensations of warmth and brief stinging as the energy is delivered.
- Immediate post-care (5-10 min) — the area is cleansed and a calming serum applied. You can leave immediately and resume normal activities.
How to Prepare for Your Session
- 2 weeks before: Avoid retinol, glycolic acid, or chemical peels on treatment areas.
- 1 week before: Stop blood-thinning supplements (fish oil, vitamin E, gingko) if you take them. Consult your physician before stopping prescription blood thinners.
- Day of treatment: Arrive with clean skin, no makeup. Eat normally. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever 30-60 minutes before your appointment if you are sensitive to discomfort.
- What to bring: Nothing required. Wear comfortable clothing.
Does Ultherapy Hurt?
Honest answer: there is discomfort during the energy delivery. Patients describe it as warm pinpricks or brief stinging sensations as energy is delivered to the deeper tissue layers.
The discomfort is manageable and stops the moment the applicator moves to the next area. Most patients rate the discomfort at 4-6 out of 10. We offer pre-treatment options to minimize sensation, including topical numbing and over-the-counter pain management.
Recovery and Aftercare
Ultherapy has minimal downtime. You can return to normal activities immediately after the session.
What you may experience:
- Mild redness for a few hours
- Slight swelling that resolves within 24-48 hours
- Tenderness when touching the treated area for several days
- Occasionally, small areas of bruising (uncommon)
Aftercare guidelines:
- Apply sunscreen daily — the treatment makes skin more sensitive to sun
- Stay hydrated to support collagen production
- Continue gentle skincare; avoid harsh actives for 1 week
- Sleep with your head slightly elevated for the first 2 nights
- Resume normal exercise, work, and social activities immediately
When You Will See Results
Ultherapy stimulates your body’s natural collagen production. This is a gradual process, not an instant result.
- Immediately after: Some patients see initial tightening from inflammation response. This is not the actual result.
- 4-6 weeks: Early improvement becomes visible.
- 3 months: Significant lifting and tightening visible to others.
- 6 months: Full results achieved. This is when before-and-after photos are most dramatic.
- 12-24 months: Results continue to be maintained as new collagen continues to form.
How Long Results Last
Most patients enjoy Ultherapy results for 12-24 months. The actual collagen produced is part of your skin and does not disappear, but the natural aging process continues, so eventually the same patient will need maintenance treatment.
Some patients return annually for maintenance. Others wait 2-3 years between sessions. Your provider can advise based on your specific skin and goals.
Side Effects to Know About
Ultherapy is well-tolerated. Most patients experience only the mild, temporary effects listed under recovery above.
Less common, generally minor effects:
- Bruising at treatment sites (resolves within a week)
- Numbness in treated areas (resolves within 2-4 weeks)
- Welts that appear briefly after treatment (resolves within hours)
Rare effects: Temporary muscle weakness in the jaw or neck (typically resolves within weeks). Discuss your medical history during consultation so we can flag any specific concerns.
Who Is a Good Candidate
Ultherapy works best for patients with:
- Mild to moderate skin laxity on the face, neck, or décolleté
- Realistic expectations of gradual, natural-looking results
- Generally good skin health
- Age 35-75 (though it has been used effectively at ages outside this range)
Ultherapy is less ideal for patients with severe skin laxity (where surgical lifting may be needed) or patients with active skin infections, certain autoimmune conditions, or implanted devices in the treatment area.
Cost of Ultherapy in Newport Beach
Ultherapy pricing in Orange County typically ranges from $800-$2,500 per session, depending on the areas treated. At Newport Beach Skin Tightening, Ultherapy starts at $800 for targeted treatments.
Importantly: Ultherapy is included as one of the five technologies in our exclusive Butterfly Facelift protocol. Patients seeking comprehensive facial rejuvenation often find better value in the combined protocol than in standalone Ultherapy, since the Butterfly Facelift adds four additional synergistic technologies for the same or modestly higher cost.
Ultherapy as Part of the Butterfly Facelift
The Butterfly Facelift is the exclusive multi-technology protocol invented by Jim Hooper. It combines Ultherapy (focused ultrasound) with four additional non-invasive technologies in a single 2.5-hour session. Patients who would otherwise have chosen standalone Ultherapy often find the combined protocol produces dramatically better results in the same session.
See the full comparison of Butterfly Facelift vs. standalone Ultherapy »
Why Choose Jim Hooper for Your Ultherapy
Several practices in Orange County offer Ultherapy. The differences that matter:
- Certification: Jim Hooper is Ultherapy-certified by the manufacturer. Not all providers are formally certified.
- Experience: 20+ years in non-invasive aesthetic medicine.
- Inventor of the Butterfly Facelift: Jim invented the multi-technology protocol that incorporates Ultherapy. His understanding of the modality is uniquely deep.
- Personally performed: Every session at our practice is performed by Jim personally, not a technician or assistant.
- Media credibility: Featured on Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and LA Channel 11 News.
Booking Your Consultation
Your initial consultation is free and takes approximately 45 minutes. Jim will review your skin, discuss your goals, and recommend whether standalone Ultherapy or the Butterfly Facelift is the better fit for your concerns.
There is no pressure, no commitment, and no high-pressure sales process. If Ultherapy is not the right treatment for you, we will tell you so honestly and may recommend an alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Ultherapy different from Morpheus8 or Thermage?
Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound to reach the SMAS layer (the same layer plastic surgeons lift). Morpheus8 uses RF microneedling, which involves needles. Thermage uses RF without ultrasound. Each is a different technology with different strengths. See the full comparison »
Is Ultherapy safe?
Yes. Ultherapy is FDA-cleared with over 1.5 million treatments performed globally. No needles, no incisions, no foreign substances. The technology delivers controlled energy beneath the skin surface without harming the surface.
Can I combine Ultherapy with my current Botox or filler?
Yes. Ultherapy works alongside existing injectables. Most patients prefer to schedule Ultherapy at least 2 weeks before or after filler injections to allow the filler to settle.
How is the Butterfly Facelift different from Ultherapy alone?
The Butterfly Facelift includes Ultherapy as one of five combined technologies in a single session. Standalone Ultherapy treats only with ultrasound. The Butterfly Facelift adds radiofrequency, microneedling with RF, light therapy, and additional modalities for a more comprehensive collagen response.
Will Ultherapy make me look unnatural?
No. Because Ultherapy stimulates your own collagen production rather than introducing filler or freezing muscles, the results follow your face’s natural contours. Patients typically report that family and friends notice they look refreshed but cannot identify what changed.
How often should I do Ultherapy?
Most patients benefit from a session every 12-24 months. Your provider can advise based on your specific skin response and aging rate.
Related Reading
- The Butterfly Facelift — 5 Skin-Tightening Technologies in 1 Session
- Butterfly Facelift vs. Morpheus8, Ultherapy, Endolift & Thermage — Honest Comparison
- Beyond Botox: The Off-Ramp from Injectables
- Frequently Asked Questions
- See Real Patient Results
Located in the Heart of Orange County
Newport Beach Skin Tightening serves patients across Orange County from our Costa Mesa location at 3151 Airway Ave Bldg K106. We are conveniently located near Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, and the surrounding OC communities. As featured on Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and LA Channel 11 News. Book a free consultation with Jim Hooper, the inventor of the Butterfly Facelift, by calling (949) 500-0719 or visiting our Contact page.
Reviewed By
Jim Hooper
Inventor of the Butterfly Facelift
Jim Hooper invented the Butterfly Facelift after more than 20 years working in non-invasive aesthetic medicine. He personally performs every Butterfly Facelift procedure at our Costa Mesa practice and has been featured on Dr. Oz, The Doctors, and LA Channel 11 News.