Ultherapy in Los Angeles: Cost, Results, and How It Compares to XERF (2026 Guide)
Last updated: June 2026Ready to book? See Ultherapy at Beauty Ranch →
By the Beauty Ranch Medical Spa team, led by Nurse Jamie — Brentwood, Los Angeles
The short answer: Ultherapy is an FDA-cleared, ultrasound-based skin tightening treatment that lifts the brow, chin, neck and décolletage with no downtime. At Beauty Ranch in Brentwood, full face Ultherapy is $2,500. Results build over 2–3 months and typically last a year or more. We offer both Ultherapy-style ultrasound tightening and XERF — a newer radiofrequency treatment we're among the only med spas in Los Angeles to carry — and the right choice depends on your skin, your goals and your tolerance for discomfort. Here's how to decide.
What Is Ultherapy?
Ultherapy uses microfocused ultrasound (MFU-V) to deliver heat to the deep structural layers of the skin — including the SMAS layer, the same layer surgeons tighten during a facelift — without breaking the surface. That targeted heat triggers your body's natural collagen production, gradually lifting and firming the treated area over the following weeks.
It's FDA-cleared to lift skin on the brow, under the chin and on the neck, and to improve lines and wrinkles on the décolletage. Because the energy is delivered beneath the skin, there's no visible wound, no peeling and no required downtime — most clients go straight back to their day.
What Does Ultherapy Cost in Los Angeles?
At Beauty Ranch in Brentwood, Ultherapy for the full face is $2,500. Smaller areas and combination plans (face + neck, brow, under-chin) are quoted at your consultation, and package pricing is available — contact us for details.
Most people need only one session, with results lasting one to two years as your own collagen cycle continues. Maintenance sessions can extend results.
What Does Ultherapy Feel Like?
Honest answer: it's not the most comfortable treatment in the med spa. As ultrasound energy reaches the deeper layers you'll feel intermittent heat and tingling under the skin. Discomfort is brief and manageable — and at Beauty Ranch we use comfort protocols to take the edge off — but if you're very sensitive to discomfort, this is one of the reasons we'll often steer you toward XERF instead (more on that below).
A typical session takes 30–90 minutes depending on the area. Afterward you might see slight redness for a few hours; that's it.
When Do You See Results?
This is collagen remodeling, not an instant fix. Some clients notice an early tightening effect within days, but the real lift develops over two to three months as new collagen forms, with continued improvement up to six months. Results photograph beautifully precisely because they look natural — friends notice you look rested, not "done."
Ultherapy vs. XERF: Which Skin Tightening Is Right for You?
XERF is the newer arrival in non-surgical skin tightening, and Beauty Ranch is one of the only med spas in Los Angeles offering it. Where Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound, XERF delivers radiofrequency energy deep into the skin to trigger the same collagen-rebuilding response — with a different comfort and coverage profile.
| Ultherapy | XERF | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy type | Microfocused ultrasound (MFU-V) | Deep radiofrequency (RF) |
| Best for | Targeted lifting: brow, chin, neck, décolletage | Broader tightening and skin-quality improvement, face and body |
| Comfort | Moderate discomfort during treatment | Generally more comfortable |
| Downtime | None | None |
| Sessions | Usually 1 | Usually 1–3 depending on goals |
| Results timeline | 2–3 months, up to 6 | Progressive over 2–3 months |
| Availability in LA | Widely available | Beauty Ranch is among the only providers |
Our honest take after treating both: if you want a focused lift in a specific zone — a heavier brow, early jowls, under-chin laxity — Ultherapy's precision is excellent. If you want broader tightening with an easier treatment experience, or you've tried ultrasound tightening before and found it hard to sit through, XERF has become the favorite in our Brentwood treatment rooms — it's the treatment celebrities have been quietly booking with Nurse Jamie. Many clients ultimately combine approaches across a treatment plan.
The best way to choose isn't a blog post — it's a skin assessment. Both treatments reward good candidacy: mild-to-moderate laxity responds best, while significant sagging may warrant a different conversation.
Why Have Skin Tightening Done at Beauty Ranch
Beauty Ranch Medical Spa is located in Brentwood at 140 S Barrington Place, Los Angeles 90049 — minutes from Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Bel Air and Westwood. Founded by celebrity skincare expert Nurse Jamie, our team has spent 15+ years doing non-surgical lifting and tightening for some of the most photographed faces in the world. We carry multiple skin-tightening technologies — ultrasound, XERF, RF microneedling (Potenza) and laser — which means our recommendation is based on your skin, not on the one machine we happen to own.
Or call (310) 587-3502.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Ultherapy cost in Los Angeles?
At Beauty Ranch in Brentwood, full face Ultherapy is $2,500. Other areas and combination treatment plans are quoted at your consultation.
Is Ultherapy worth it?
For the right candidate — mild to moderate skin laxity on the brow, chin, neck or chest — Ultherapy delivers a natural-looking lift with no surgery and no downtime, lasting a year or more. Candidacy matters; a consultation will tell you whether you'll get a result worth paying for.
Does Ultherapy hurt?
You'll feel intermittent heat and deep tingling during treatment. Most clients find it manageable with comfort measures. If discomfort is a concern, ask us about XERF, which most clients find easier to tolerate.
What's the difference between Ultherapy and XERF?
Ultherapy uses microfocused ultrasound for targeted lifting; XERF uses deep radiofrequency for broader skin tightening with a more comfortable treatment experience. Beauty Ranch is among the only med spas in Los Angeles offering XERF.
How long does Ultherapy last?
Results typically last one to two years. Because the treatment builds your own collagen, annual maintenance sessions can keep results going.
Who shouldn't get Ultherapy?
Those with severe skin laxity, certain implanted devices in the treatment area, or active skin conditions at the treatment site may not be candidates. We assess all of this in your consultation.
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