The popularity of non-surgical skin tightening procedures has consistently grown over the past several years. One is called Ultherapy, a unique and relatively new procedure but a non-surgical alternative to a facelift. This FDA-cleared technology stimulates collagen production, creating a more youthful look overall.
How Does Ultherapy Work?
The procedure works by targeting areas beneath the skin with focused ultrasound energy at the right temperature to support collagen regeneration. Simultaneously, the heat energy from the applicator is aimed at different depths, affecting three layers:
- muscle
- skin
- superficial wrinkles
The ultrasound energy stimulates collagen and elastic tissue, resulting in firmer skin, less sagging, and fewer wrinkles.
What Are The Benefits Of Ultherapy?
The following benefits are what Ultherapy can provide, which include:
- Reverse the effects of aging
- Stimulate collagen production
- Rejuvenate the skin
- Look younger than the actual age
- A quick procedure, which can be done during lunchtime
- No chance of scarring
- Approved by the FDA
- Little/no downtime
- Minimal risks
What Areas Can Ultherapy Address?
Ultherapy is carried out mainly over the entire face, on the eyebrows, neck, and chest. These areas are most often affected by the loss of tone and respond well to ultrasound therapy. Depending on the needs, it is also possible to treat the entire face or just a targeted area of the face; the jawline can redefine facial contours, while the eye area can be targeted to lift eyebrows and smooth fine lines and “open up” the eyes.
This treatment is typically used alongside dermal fillers to create a more visible rejuvenating effect. While Ultherapy is used to treat sagging skin, hyaluronic acid injections are used to treat facial hollows.
What To Expect During The Procedure?
The aesthetician will clean the target areas as they work on any oil or residue and apply an ultrasound gel. This will be followed by placing the Ultherapy device against the skin and will use an ultrasound viewer to adjust the device to the appropriate settings. The energy from the ultrasound is then delivered to the targeted areas.
There may be a quick, intermittent feeling of heat as well as a tingling sensation during treatment. Also, pain medication might be administered to address any patient’s discomfort. After the procedure, the applicator is removed.
Overall, a single procedure can last up to 90 minutes, depending on the treatment. Ultherapy treatment on the chest takes about 30 minutes compared to the face and neck areas which can take 60 to 90 minutes.
How Safe Is Ultherapy?
A trained and experienced medical professional with sufficient expertise in this unique arena will help ensure satisfaction with this cosmetic procedure and mitigate any concerns about the unexpected or unpleasant side effects. In addition to ensuring that the chosen surgeon has the proper technique and training, the patient should need to understand precisely how the procedure can achieve such dramatic and pleasing results.
During Ultherapy sessions, an ultrasonic probe targets specific areas of the face and neck. The treatment system in Ultherapy treatment delivers a low dose of focused, high-frequency ultrasound energy, which is aimed at those target areas. Moreover, the areas, including but not limited to the jowls, upper lip, or cheeks, are heated by ultrasonic waves from the probe, and, as a result, new collagen cells are stimulated.
This means that the body is, essentially, performing the procedure internally. Ultherapy is a very safe and gentle procedure. Rejuvenation is not achieved by injecting fillers or chemicals, nor pain management or recovery time is required.
What Are The Common Side Effects Of Ulthera?
Skin Redness
Skin redness is the most common side effect of Ultherapy treatment. This is because ultrasound energy is being delivered into the deeper layers of your skin to stimulate collagen production. The deep layers of your skin are typically heated up to approximately 50 to 70 degrees Celsius.
Pain
The second most common concern when it comes to Ultherapy treatment is pain. Pain or mild discomfort might be present during the Ultherapy treatment. Most patients can tolerate the treatment with topical anesthesia (numbing cream), while some may require oral pain killers to improve comfort levels.
Slight swelling
Another most common side effect and the third one is slight swelling during the first 1 to 3 days after the treatment. However, most patients might not have significant face swelling after Ultherapy, but there might be a possibility. Consider cold calming facial masks to soothe the skin as well as the provider may offer oral medications to reduce swelling.
Tingling Sensation and Tenderness
Due to the ultrasound stimulation of the deeper tissues of the face, some patients may feel a tingling sensation and tenderness in some regions of the face. The typical areas are the jawline, cheekbones, and brows. The tingling sensation and tenderness usually resolve within two weeks.
Temporary Numbness
Temporary numbness is one of the rarest side effects of Ultherapy due to accidental irritation of nerves on the face. The temporary numbness might last from days to weeks. That said, only find an experienced Ultherapy provider for the Ultherapy treatment.
How Many Treatments Are Required To Achieve Optimal Results?
While most patients only need one treatment to see the effect, some will benefit from it more. However, it will all depend on the laxity of the patient, how the body responds to the ultrasound, and the collagen-building process. The number of lines of treatment depends on the surface area of the lower face and mid-face, neck, and jowls, but it is usually around 400 to 750 lines of treatment, which will complete the neck and the whole look.
How Long Do the Results Last?
A non-surgical procedure like Ultherapy has the best results, which can be maintained for many years. Typically, the results can be for two years. It’s best to note that results are not permanent due to collagen production.
Also, the process of aging doesn’t stop. The use of quality skin care products can help in increasing the production of collagen. Follow-up treatments will help maintain results.
The Bottom Line
Ultherapy is a non-surgical ultrasound technology used to kick-start collagen production and tighten skin. ReNu Aesthetics & Wellness offers Ultherapy that utilizes ultrasound energy which, in turn, can stimulate the body’s own collagen production. This treatment device will allow the ultrasound energy to penetrate the layers of the skin, muscle, and superficial wrinkles.
