Ultherapy

FACIAL SKIN TIGHTENING

Not a facelift, but an uplift!

Ultherapy is the only FDA-cleared procedure to utilize non-invasive, non-surgical ultrasound technology for skin tightening. Ultherapy works to tighten and lift the brow, face, under the neck and along the jawline, as well as the décolleté.

It is an ideal treatment for someone with skin that has “relaxed” to the point of looking less firm. A lowered eyebrow line or sagging skin on the neck or the jowls is often the first sign of “maturing” skin. There is a broad range of people who can benefit from Ultherapy, but typically, those in their thirties and older, both men and women, who have mild to moderate skin laxity are candidates.

Ultherapy is an “uplift,” not a “facelift.” While it is not a replacement for surgery, it is a viable option for those not ready for a facelift, or those people who want to “stay ahead of the game” as well as those looking to prolong the effects of cosmetic surgery.

 

HOW IT WORKS

Ultherapy works from the inside-out, directing the ultrasound energy precisely at the areas in need of tightening, creating a stronger, tighter structural foundation, as well as noticeable surface tightening.  While lasers improve the appearance of the superficial skin layers, Ultherapy goes deep, affecting the foundational layers, SMAS and Platysma, which support the skin.  The device produces an image of the skin and underlying connective tissue so the practitioner can deliver targeted energy under the surface of the skin with the optimal depth, temperature, and precision necessary to generate new collagen and to tighten and lift the skin.

Similar to the way a vigorous workout leaves you sore the next day, Ultherapy creates micro-damage to the underlying tissues, which helps your body respond faster with rebuilding collagen and tightening throughout the area.  Collagen is a natural protein that provides the elasticity and tone in youthful skin. As we age, the collagen in our skin loses its strength and diminishes. Ultherapy works by jump-starting the collagen-production. Because your body builds collagen over the months following your Ultherapy treatment, your results appear naturally and slowly.

Ultherapy sessions usually last 60-90 minutes. You do not have to take downtime after your treatment.   Discomfort level varies from patient to patient, and so it is difficult to say if you will experience this as discomfort. Some of our patients tolerate the procedure well, while others experience discomfort or pain during the treatment. Possible painful sensations are temporary, and it is a signal that the collagen-building process has started.  There are no significant risks associated with this procedure other than short-term swelling, bruising,  tenderness, or tingling.

RESULTS

Results are not immediate, though you may experience a boost in collagen production directly following your treatment. Full results will develop over time, usually between 4-6 months following the procedure. Natural, slower-developing results mean you won’t look radically different overnight, and no one will need to know you’ve had anything done.  Results have been shown to last for at least two years, with gradual aging beginning to show after the two years. Every patient responds to treatment differently. Factors that affect the results of an Ultherapy treatment include the patient’s aftercare, environmental factors such as sun exposure, habits such as smoking, and the patient’s intrinsic aging. For more enhanced, long-lasting results, you can combine this treatment with simultaneous means of skin tightening (Vivace Microneedling, Clear + Brilliant or CO2). You can also get an Ultherapy treatment alongside injectable relaxants or fillers such as Botox, Juvederm, Dysport, and Restylane. To prolong your results, you may wish to have another treatment at the end of the two years. Remember that no procedure can stop the aging process, but Ultherapy can help you make significant progress towards turning back the effects of gravity.

The majority of patients only need one treatment; however, some may benefit from more than one treatment (depending on how much laxity you have and your body’s biological response to the ultrasound and collagen-building process). Your practitioner will be able to recommend the right treatment plan for your needs during your consultation.