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Skin lifting · Pleasanton & Sunnyvale
Ultherapy in Pleasanton
In short
Ultherapy lifts rather than firms. It is what we reach for when the concern is position rather than general laxity, with no surface injury and no downtime.
It focuses ultrasound at set depths beneath the skin, including the SMAS, the layer surgeons address in a facelift. That depth is also why it can be uncomfortable. Results develop over two to six months.
Where Ultherapy fits
Most energy tightening heats a broad plane of tissue. Ultherapy focuses ultrasound to discrete points at set depths, which is why it can reach the SMAS, the fibrous layer beneath the fat that gives the lower face its structural support. Reaching that layer without an incision is what the treatment is for.
That depth is also why it asks more of the patient than a radiofrequency treatment does. It is a trade: more focused lift, less comfort.
When we recommend it
- A softening jawline where the skin still has reasonable thickness
- Brow position, where a small change reads clearly
- Neck and décolletage
- Patients who want lift specifically, rather than overall skin quality
- Patients who cannot take downtime
When we would choose something else
Very thin or lax skin often does better with a broader approach such as XERF. Significant established sagging is surgical. And if what bothers you is texture or pigment rather than position, Ultherapy is not the treatment.
Ultherapy answers a specific question: can this be lifted without surgery? It is a poor choice for every other question.
How it compares
| Ultherapy | XERF | Potenza | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Microfocused ultrasound | Dual-frequency monopolar RF | RF through microneedles |
| Depth | Discrete points, including SMAS | Multiple depths, distributed | Adjustable, within the dermis |
| Downtime | None | None | Several days |
| Best at | Targeted lifting | Broader firmness | Texture and scarring |
Common questions
Is Ultherapy painful?
It is felt at depth, and that is a consequence of what it does. Energy is deposited at set depths including the SMAS, which is deeper than radiofrequency tightening reaches. Settings can be adjusted for comfort.
How long do Ultherapy results last?
Results develop over two to six months and generally hold for around a year, depending on age, skin quality and how much laxity was present to begin with.
Should I have Ultherapy or XERF?
Ultherapy is for targeted lifting, XERF for broader firmness. If the concern is position, Ultherapy reaches the layer that holds position. If it is overall laxity across a region, XERF is usually the better fit.
Medically reviewed by Seth Eberlin, MD, Medical Director at Essential Bella. Last reviewed 18 September 2026. General information, not a substitute for an in-person assessment.