Beauty editor Alice Smellie, 52, said a single UltraClear treatment delivered at a London clinic produced what she described as the appearance of a neck “ten years younger” after two months.
UltraClear, an FDA-cleared non-invasive aesthetic device recently launched in the UK, combines superficial resurfacing with deeper thermal stimulation to tighten skin and promote collagen and elastin production, according to the clinic that performed the procedure. Dr. Mervyn Patterson of Woodford Medical, who has treated patients with the device, said the neck is particularly vulnerable to ageing because its skin is thinner, contains fewer oil glands and is subject to constant movement and sun exposure.
The device uses a dual-action approach: short, concentrated light beams remove the top layer of skin in a controlled pattern while a separate thermal energy mode stimulates deeper tissue. Providers describe the technology as a “cold laser” designed to minimise heat build-up and reduce swelling and downtime compared with traditional ablation. The most intensive setting, marketed as Laser-Coring and described by one treating clinician as “precision micro-stamping,” is aimed at more significant laxity and texture concerns.
Smellie elected to have the stronger Laser-Coring setting on her neck and a lighter facial setting called 3D Miracl on her lower face. Local anaesthetic cream containing lidocaine was applied for roughly 30 minutes before treatment. The face portion took about 20 minutes and the neck and décolletage around 30 minutes. Practitioners applied a sterile Velez mask after the procedure to draw out heat, and patients typically receive moisturizing and healing products such as copper-peptide creams for aftercare.
Immediate effects included diffuse redness, pinpoint bleeding where the device had treated the skin and swelling. The treated area was described as looking like a faint mesh pattern up close. Over the subsequent days the superficial skin sloughed off and patients reported itching and a burning-type sensation; clinicians advise avoiding scratching and keeping sun exposure to a minimum while the skin heals. Smellie said she felt most self-conscious in the first week, with visible redness and some remaining bleeding spots the morning after the procedure, but reported almost normal appearance after a week and comfort exposing the neck after about 10 days.
Practitioners recommend strict sun protection following treatment because the new skin is hyper-sensitive; patients are typically advised to avoid direct sunlight for two weeks and to use high-factor SPF. Some clinics offer UltraClear as a one-off session, while others advise a repeat session after two to three months for additional tightening, followed by maintenance treatments every 12 to 18 months. Prices reported for UK clinics start from about £950.
The procedure is among several non-surgical options marketed specifically for neck rejuvenation. Alternatives include Ultherapy, which uses focused ultrasound to lift and tighten tissue; radiofrequency microneedling treatments such as Morpheus8 that stimulate collagen with energy delivered through needles; and topical prescriptions or over-the-counter creams that claim to improve texture and hydration. Clinicians and industry suppliers caution that topical products typically have more modest effects on significant laxity compared with energy-based devices.
Cosmetic practitioners stress that the treatment intentionally creates micro-injury to stimulate the body’s healing response, and that expected short-term side effects include redness, swelling, pinpoint bleeding and peeling. Providers also note that individual recovery varies with skin type and the intensity of the setting used. Patients with extensive sun exposure, certain medical conditions, or those on medications that affect healing should discuss suitability and timing with a qualified clinician.
Smellie told readers the results appeared natural and that acquaintances attributed her refreshed appearance to general wellbeing. The arrival of UltraClear in the UK reflects growing demand for procedures targeting the neck and lower face, as patients seek non-surgical options to address sagging, crepey texture and pigmentation without the risks and recovery associated with surgical neck lifts. Clinicians caution that while energy-based devices can improve appearance, realistic expectations and a thorough consultation remain important components of care.