How to Prep for Ultherapy PRIME—and Make Your Results Last

It’s no secret—I’m a huge Ultherapy PRIME fan. After seeing noticeable results just three months after a single treatment, I’m ready to be its poster child. But while the technology—and your provider—do most of the heavy lifting, there’s a third, often overlooked factor that plays a major role in results: your lifestyle and how you care for yourself before and after treatment.

Ultherapy—and its latest generation, Ultherapy PRIME—is the only FDA-cleared, noninvasive procedure that uses microfocused ultrasound energy to lift and tighten the skin of the brow, neck, under-chin and décolleté. Ultherapy PRIME jumpstarts your body’s natural collagen and elastin production (the proteins that help skin stay firm, lifted and bouncy). But habits in the weeks leading up to treatment—and the three to six months that follow—can significantly influence how strong and long-lasting those results are.

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A quick science lesson: Collagen naturally begins to decline in our mid-20s—by about one percent per year—due to a mix of genetics, sun exposure and lifestyle factors. That’s why treatments like Ultherapy work best when they’re supported by smart habits, including proper pre- and post-care, daily SPF and a consistent skin-care routine.

Just as important, Ultherapy relies on real-time ultrasound imaging to guide energy placement beneath the skin—meaning results are highly dependent on provider expertise. I visited New York facial plastic surgeon Jennifer Levine, MD, who specializes in Ultherapy PRIME. While there are several steps you can take to reinforce your results, working closely with your provider to create a plan tailored to your skin and goals is the most important place to start.

Ahead, I’m breaking down exactly what to do before and after Ultherapy PRIME to get the most out of your treatment.

Before Ultherapy PRIME: Set Yourself Up for Success

In the weeks leading up to treatment—and continuing afterward—focus on strengthening your skin’s baseline health. As Dr. Levine advises, incorporating daily vitamin C, either through diet or supplementation, can help support collagen synthesis and protect existing collagen. Zinc and copper may also play a role in collagen formation.

Sun protection is nonnegotiable, as UV exposure actively breaks down collagen. A protein-rich diet is equally important, since collagen is built from amino acids, and staying well hydrated helps support overall skin function.

It’s also best to avoid excess alcohol, smoking (including vaping) and high sugar intake in the one to two weeks before and after treatment, as these habits can accelerate collagen and elastin breakdown—working directly against the results you’re trying to achieve.

After Ultherapy PRIME: Support the Collagen-Building Phase

This is when your body gets to work rebuilding collagen. In the first week after treatment, continue following the same nutrition guidelines you focused on beforehand and stick to gentle, fragrance-free skin care without active ingredients. The goal during this period is to protect the skin barrier while collagen production ramps up beneath the surface.

Around week two—when collagen stimulation is at its peak—you can gradually reintroduce targeted actives such as retinoids and vitamin C to support collagen remodeling. Peptides and growth factors can also be helpful during this phase, aiding skin repair and overall resilience.

Dr. Levine also recommends complementary treatments, such as radiofrequency and microneedling, to further stimulate collagen production. Lifestyle habits remain just as important: adequate sleep, regular movement, daily sun protection and a balanced, protein-rich diet all help reinforce your results.

As always, work closely with your provider to determine the best timing and combination of products and treatments for your skin. Ahead, I’m sharing a few recommended products that can help support your Ultherapy PRIME results along the way.

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This daily supplement is formulated to help support vitamin C levels, collagen production and antioxidant activity. Each serving provides 1,000 mg of vitamin C, along with choline, phosphatidylcholine and essential phospholipids—ingredients designed to help improve absorption and utilization of vitamin C in the body.

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This curated three-step post-procedure routine includes Dr. Whitney Bowe’s bestselling Bowe Glowe Cleanser Gentle Creamy Face Wash, P46 Peptide + HA Plumping Serum and Bowe Glowe Microbiome Nourishing Cream. Designed to support skin recovery after in-office cosmetic treatments, the routine helps hydrate, calm visible redness and reinforce the skin barrier. Each product is also available individually.

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One daily bottle of this anti-aging collagen drink has been clinically studied to help improve skin hydration and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Formulated with hydrolyzed marine collagen peptides, vitamin C, L-lysine, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids and a vitamin B complex, it’s designed to support collagen production, hydration, radiance and overall skin suppleness.

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Recommended by medical esthetician Evelyn Ramirez of Evelyn Aesthetics in NYC for its calming properties and suitability for sensitive skin, this ultra-lightweight, sheer, broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide to help protect against UVA and UVB rays. Infused with antioxidants and bisabolol, a soothing skin-care ingredient, it helps calm, hydrate and support the skin barrier.

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This convenient, chocolate-flavored shake delivers 10 g of collagen peptides to help support hair, skin, nails and joint health, along with 30 g of high-quality protein to support satiety and lean muscle.

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This copper peptide serum is formulated to help support collagen and elastin production, promote a more youthful-looking fullness and reinforce the skin barrier. Powered by the brand’s patented Auro GSH Delivery System, it’s designed to optimize ingredient delivery, supporting skin repair and overall resilience.

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Powered by human growth factors and proprietary peptides, this serum helps boost the skin’s natural collagen and elastin production. With continued use, it helps improve the look of firmness, elasticity, texture, tone, brightness and hydration, with some users reporting visible improvements within a week.