evaluation of the ulthera® system and efficacy correlation to morphological differences

Conditions: Facial and Neck Skin Laxity

Summary: evaluate if there is a correlation between efficacy results and where the thermal coagulation points (tcps) produced during a treatment with the ulthera system make contact with anatomical layers of the skin and underlying tissues.

this is a prospective, single-site, non-randomized study designed to evaluate if there is a correlation between efficacy results and where the thermal coagulation points (tcps), produced during treatment with the ulthera system, make contact with the anatomical layers of skin and underlying tissues. the study consists of one ultherapy treatment administered at two depths using deepsee transducers on the full-face and neck area. ultrasound images will be captured at the beginning, middle and end of each treatment section during treatment.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. subject in good health. 2. mild to moderate skin laxity on the area(s) to be treated. 3. subject is pre-menopausal (treated in first week of cycle) or post-menopausal. 4. subject forehead's sub-dermal layer is at least a depth of 4.5mm using the 7-4.5mm transducer. 5. understands and accepts the obligation not to undergo any other procedures in the areas to be treated through the follow-up period. 6. 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. 7. subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test result and must not be lactating at the screening visit and be willing and able to use an acceptable method of birth control (e.g. barrier methods used with a spermicidal agent, hormonal methods, iud, surgical sterilization, abstinence) during the study. women will not be considered of childbearing potential if the following conditions is documented on the medical history: a. bilateral tubal ligation at least six months prior to study enrollment. 8. absence of physical or psychological conditions unacceptable to the investigator. 9. willingness to refrain from use of aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen or any other nsaid prior to each study treatment and chronic use during the entire post-treatment study period. washout period, if chronic user, for 4 weeks prior to the first treatment. after all study treatments are completed, limited acute nsaid use is allowed i.e a maximum of 2-3 doses, in any 2 weeks period. 10. willingness and ability to provide written consent for study-required photography and adherence to photography procedures (i.e., removal of jewelry and makeup). 11. willingness and ability to provide written informed consent and hipaa authorization prior to performance of any study-related procedure. exclusion criteria: 1. presence of an active systemic or local skin disease that may affect wound healing. 2. severe solar elastosis. 3. excessive subcutaneous fat in the area(s) to be treated. 4. excessive skin laxity on the area(s) to be treated. 5. significant scarring in the area(s) to be treated that would interfere with assessing results. 6. open wounds or lesions in the area(s) to be treated. 7. severe or cystic acne on the area(s) to be treated. 8. active implants (e.g., pacemakers or defibrillators), or metallic implants in the treatment areas (dental implants not included.) 9. inability to understand the protocol or to give informed consent. 10. microdermabrasion, or prescription level glycolic acid treatment to the treatment area(s) within four weeks prior to study participation or during the study. 11. marked asymmetry, ptosis, excessive dermatochalasis, deep dermal scarring, or thick sebaceous skin in the area(s) to be treated. 12. bmi equal to or greater than 25. 13. history of chronic drug or alcohol abuse. 14. history of autoimmune disease. 15. history of hysterectomy. 16. concurrent therapy that, in the investigator's opinion, would interfere with the evaluation of the safety or efficacy of the study device. 17. subjects who anticipate the need for inpatient surgery or overnight hospitalization during the study. 18. subjects who, in the investigator's opinion, have a history of poor cooperation, noncompliance with medical treatment, or unreliability. 19. concurrent enrollment in any study involving the use of investigational devices or drugs. 20. current smoker or history of smoking in the last five years. 21. current user of any nicotine-containing products, e.g., e-cigarettes, nicorette gum, nicotine patches, etc. 22. use of long-wear makeup (lipstick, lip liner, mascara, etc.) within 48 hours of study photographs and assessments. 23. history of the following cosmetic treatments in the area(s) to be treated: 1. skin tightening procedure within the past year; 2. injectable filler of any type within the past: i. 12 months for hyaluronic acid fillers (e.g. restylane); ii 12 months for ca hydroxyapatite fillers (e.g. radiesse); iii. 24 months for long-lasting hyaluronic acid (juvéderm voluma) and poly-l-lactic acid fillers (e.g. sculptra); iv. ever for permanent fillers (e.g. silicone, artefill) 3. neurotoxins within the past three months; 4. ablative resurfacing laser treatment; 5. nonablative, rejuvenative laser or light treatment within the past six months; 6. surgical dermabrasion or deep facial peels; 7. facelifts, blepharoplasty, or browlift within the past year; or 8. any history of contour threads. 24. history of using the following prescription medications: 1. accutane or other systemic retinoids within the past six months; 2. topical retinoids within the past two weeks; 3. antiplatelet agents/anticoagulants (coumadin, heparin, plavix, dabigatran); 4. psychiatric drugs that in the investigators opinion would impair the subject from understanding the protocol requirements or understanding and signing the informed consent.