Feasibility Study: Evaluation of Ulthera Versus Thermage for Treating the Face and Neck

This is a prospective, single-center, double-blinded, split-face, randomized pilot study. A triple Ultherapy® treatment and standard Thermage treatment will be provided to all subjects to the full half face, neck, and submental areas. Changes in face and neck skin laxity and wrinkles, from baseline and between study treatments, will be assessed at study follow-up visits. Patient satisfaction questionnaires will also be obtained.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female, age 30 to 65 years.
• Subject in good health.
• Skin laxity on the area(s) to be treated.
• Understands and accepts the obligation not to undergo any other procedures in the areas to be treated through the follow-up period.
• Willingness and ability to comply with protocol requirements, including returning for follow-up visits and abstaining from exclusionary procedures for the duration of the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of an active systemic or local skin disease that may affect wound healing.
• Severe solar elastosis.
• Excessive subcutaneous fat in the area(s) to be treated.
• Excessive skin laxity on the area(s) to be treated.
• Significant scarring in the area(s) to be treated.
• Open wounds or lesions in the area(s) to be treated.
• Severe or cystic acne on the area(s) to be treated.
• Presence of a metal stent or implant in the area(s) to be treated.
• Inability to understand the protocol or to give informed consent.
• Microdermabrasion, or prescription level glycolic acid treatment to the treatment area(s) within two weeks prior to study participation or during the study.
• Marked asymmetry, ptosis, excessive dermatochalasis, deep dermal scarring, or thick sebaceous skin in the area(s) to be treated.
• BMI equal to or greater than 25.