Ultherapy in Asheville: What to Expect, How Long it Lasts

Med Age on February 3, 2026

Ultherapy is one of a kind in Asheville. As far as we can confirm, medAge is one of very few practices in the area offering the only FDA-approved ultrasound device for non-surgical skin lifting. Here’s what that actually means for patients.

We hear variations of the same question often: “I’ve seen Ultherapy mentioned but I don’t really know what it does — or whether the results are real.” Fair question. Let’s walk through it clearly.

What Ultherapy actually does

Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound energy to reach the SMAS layer — the superficial musculoaponeurotic system. That’s the same structural layer surgeons address during a facelift. It’s the foundational scaffolding beneath the skin and fat, and it’s what holds facial tissue in position over time.

As the SMAS weakens with age, skin descends. Volume shifts downward. The jawline loses definition. The brow drops. These aren’t superficial texture issues — they’re structural changes that surface-level treatments can’t meaningfully address.

Ultherapy reaches that deeper layer non-surgically. The focused ultrasound creates precise thermal coagulation points that trigger the body’s own collagen-building response in the SMAS and deep dermis. Over three to six months, that collagen production translates into a visible, measurable lift.

Key things to know before your appointment

FDA-ApprovedThe only ultrasound lifting device with FDA clearance for brow, chin, and neck lifting

3–6 monthsWhen full results appear, as collagen production peaks

No downtimeMost patients return to normal activity the same day

What does Ultherapy feel like?

We won’t sugarcoat it: Ultherapy involves sensation. Patients describe it as a deep warmth or intermittent intensity that pulses through treatment areas. The sensation is brief and punctuated — not continuous. Most patients tolerate it well, especially with the comfort protocols we use at medAge. If you have low pain tolerance, discuss this at your consultation and we’ll prepare accordingly.

Who is a good candidate?

Ultherapy works best for patients who have mild-to-moderate laxity and are not ready — or simply don’t want — surgical intervention. Ideal candidates are typically in their mid-30s through 60s with skin that retains reasonable quality and elasticity. For patients with significant tissue descent, Ultherapy alone may be part of a combination approach rather than a standalone solution.

How long do results last?

Most patients see results that last 12 to 18 months or longer. Because Ultherapy stimulates your body’s own collagen production rather than delivering a foreign substance, results build gradually and are durable. Many patients return annually for a maintenance treatment once results have peaked.

What makes medAge a different Ultherapy experience

Ultherapy outcomes are highly technique-dependent. The positioning of transducer lines, the depth settings selected for each anatomical area, and the clinical judgment of your provider all affect what you see at month six. At medAge, Ultherapy treatments are physician-supervised — not delegated without oversight — and performed by providers trained specifically in the Merz Ultherapy protocol.

We’re a Merz Aesthetics partner clinic, which gives us access to ongoing training and protocol updates that independent practices don’t receive.

Find out whether you’re a candidate for Ultherapy at medAge Asheville.

Learn about Ultherapy at medAge →

Category: Skin Treatments

Ultherapy — lift and tighten without surgery, without downtime.

The only FDA-cleared non-invasive treatment that lifts the neck, chin, and brow — and improves lines and wrinkles on the chest. Ultherapy reaches the same foundational skin layer addressed in surgical facelifts, using focused ultrasound energy instead of a scalpel.

FDA-ClearedProven Safety & Efficacy No SurgeryNo Incisions, No Downtime Biltmore ParkSuite 218, Asheville

What Ultherapy does — and why it works.

How it works

Focused Ultrasound Energy

Ultherapy uses traditional ultrasound imaging to visualize the skin layers being treated, then delivers focused ultrasound energy as heat into the SMAS layer — the same foundational layer tightened during a surgical facelift. The heat triggers a natural collagen-rebuilding response that gradually lifts and tightens the skin over 2–3 months.

What makes it different

Depth Nobody Else Reaches

Most non-invasive skin treatments work at the surface. Ultherapy works at 1.5mm, 3mm, and 4.5mm depth — reaching the structural foundation of the skin. That's why it produces results that surface treatments simply cannot match for lifting and contouring.

Who it's for

Mild to Moderate Skin Laxity

Ideal candidates are typically in their 30s to 50s with mild to moderate skin laxity on the face and neck. Patients who want to address visible loosening without surgery, or who want to extend the results of a previous surgical procedure, are often excellent candidates.

Neck Chin Brow Jawline Upper Chest Décolletage Under-Eye Area

What to expect before, during, and after.

During treatment

The procedure takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on the areas treated. Our clinician uses ultrasound imaging to precisely place energy at the correct depth. You may feel warmth or a brief tingling sensation as energy is delivered — most patients find our technique comfortable throughout.

After treatment

There are no post-treatment restrictions. Most patients return to normal activity immediately. Some experience mild redness that resolves within hours, or temporary slight swelling and tenderness — all normal and temporary responses to the treatment.

Results timeline

Collagen remodeling is a gradual process. Most patients notice visible changes beginning at 2–3 months post-treatment, with results continuing to improve through 3–6 months. Results typically last approximately one year, after which a maintenance treatment is recommended.

Honest expectations

Ultherapy produces real, measurable lifting results — but it is not a surgical facelift. Patients with significant skin laxity may ultimately need a surgical approach. We'll tell you honestly at your consultation whether Ultherapy is likely to deliver the results you're looking for.

Find out if Ultherapy is right for you.

Book a consultation at medAge. We'll assess your skin, explain what Ultherapy can realistically achieve, and tell you whether it's the right treatment for your specific concerns.

$75 new patient deposit · applied toward your first treatment

Financing available through PatientFi — pay as low as $97/mo. See payment options →