Ultherapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment that uses focused ultrasound energy from a device to cause very precise and specific deep tissue heating without disturbing the surface of the skin. As a result of this heating the tissues undergo 'remodelling' which leads to new collagen formation, shrinkage and firming, with tightening of the skin and deeper muscle layers.
Ultherapy is practical and quick hence attractive to the active person who does not want a surgical face or eye lift.
Ultherapy uses ultrasound imaging so when the practitioner places the handset on the area that is to be treated, they can see the tissue on screen and target focused ultrasound beams at the right depth below the skin. This targeting and rapid heating of the tissues prompts cell renewal beneath the skin and prompts the body to respond by producing more elastin and collagen, restoring the skin's underlying tissue and rejuvenating and tightening the skin.
The Ultherapy specifically targets the deep foundation layers of the tissue which doctors usually address by surgery. The smooth applicator delivers the energy at a depth of 3.5 mm and 1.5 mm around the eyes and up to a depth of 4.5mm on the cheeks, jowls and upper neck where the skin is thicker. This specific targeting forms an essential part of the Ultherapy, to diminishes side effects.
Ultherapy is the only FDA-cleared procedure to 'lift' skin on hard-to-treat areas using ultrasound. Treatment takes between 45 - 60 minutes.
Anybody who wants to have tighter, less wrinkly looking skin around the eyes, cheeks, jowls and upper neck can benefit from Ultherapy. Ultherapy in general has very little downtime; some patients though experience mild to severe swelling, some redness or bruising, the skin may tingle for a few days. The effect of the biostimulation starts 6 to 8 weeks after the treatment and continues for several months before stabilising. Therefore a gradual skin tightening and firming occurs, resulting in a natural lift of the deeper tissues over time.
All the studies and initial trials that have been completed for the Ultherapy treatment have been on the face and neck regions, with noticeable results on the brow, cheek, jowl areas in particular. Ulthera was cleared for use on the chest quite recently.
Comfort thresholds will vary from patient to patient but you should expect mild to moderate pain during treatment when the ultrasound energy is being delivered. We often try to minimise this by administering combination pain killers 30-45 minutes prior to the procedure to provide pain relief. Once the treatment is completed however there is no pain and patients typically leave comfortable and excited about the benefits to come!
Ultherapy is beneficial for rejuvenating tired-looking or sagging skin, a lowered brow line and other signs of maturing skin.
The ideal candidate for Ulthera is typically someone who has some mild to moderate degree of skin laxity that wants to improve his or her skin firmness and volume and perhaps is not fully ready for a surgical skin tightening procedure such as a face lift. Typically, those in their fourties early fifties who have a good quality of skin are the best candidates. Patients who have more advanced levels of skin laxity (sagging) are sometimes advised to consider a face lift procedure to ensure a better result. Nonetheless patients with more advanced and obvious laxity of the skin-but who have already ruled out an invasive surgical face lift, for any of a number of reasons, may also benefit from the Ultherapy procedure, however these patients will need to understand that Ultherapy in these circumstances can never mimic or achieve the results obtained with a surgical face lift and therefore have to be prepared to curtail their expectations.
