How Ultherapy Works to Tighten Loose and Sagging Skin

January 26th, 2017 | Posted in: Face Lift |

Ultrasound therapy, long used for imaging and other treatments, is now helping give people’s faces a lift. If you’ve recently looked in the mirror and thought to yourself that your skin looks a lot looser than it used to, then Ultherapy might be the right skin treatment for you.

Here are some things that you need to know about Ultherapy before receiving your skin treatment with Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery.

What is Ultherapy?

Ultrasound therapy, commercially known as Ultherapy, improves the appearance of moderately loose or sagging skin by depositing focused ultrasound energy below the surface to stimulate the body’s creation of new collagen (the natural protein that gives skin its youthful firmness and elasticity). After your treatment, your skin will begin to lift and tone over a period of time.

Ultherapy is typically used on the brow, neck, and under the chin; although, it was also recently approved by the FDA as a technique for smoothing décolletage (chest area) lines and wrinkles as well. This skin treatment is non-surgical and can be performed in a doctor’s office. Just one non-invasive Ultherapy treatment can help counteract the effects of time, gravity, and sun exposure without any downtime.

The Ultherapy Procedure

Collagen is a natural protein that gives skin its youthfulness by keeping it firmed and toned. As we age, collagen loses its strength and its ability to stand up to the effects of gravity that pull the skin downward. Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound to generate a thermal affect under the skin. The thermal affect essentially jumpstarts a repair process that strengthens existing collagen and produces fresh, new collagen.

The practitioner performing your procedure will begin by cleansing your skin thoroughly. After this is done and the specific areas to be treated are identified, your Ultherapy practitioner will apply the ultrasound gel and place the smooth treatment applicator against your skin. Next, your practitioner will use Ultherapy’s ultrasound imaging to first see deep within the skin to determine optimal placement of the treatment energy, and then deliver the focused ultrasound energy beneath the skin’s surface. During the treatment delivery, you will feel tiny amounts of energy being deposited to precise depths, indicating that the collagen-building process has been initiated.

Ultherapy is the only non-surgical cosmetic procedure that uses focused ultrasound to stimulate the growth of new collagen within the skin. The production of new collagen occurs over time, so results can become more apparent over three to six months. This procedure can take anywhere from two to three hours, depending on how many areas are being treated. There is no downtime, but some patients may experience minimal bruising and tenderness in the face and neck following treatment.

Are You a Good Candidate?

A good candidate for Ultherapy is someone with skin around the face and neck that looks and feels less firm. A lowered eyebrow line or sagging skin on the eyelids, for instance, is often the first sign of maturing skin. Loose skin under the neck and under the chin signals a patient might be a candidate. Typically, those in their thirties or older, who have mild to moderate skin laxity, are good candidates. There are also those under the age of thirty who use this treatment as a preventive measure, as well as those looking to prolong the effects of cosmetic surgery.

While Ultherapy is not a replacement for a surgical face lift, it may be an option for those not ready for surgery, or for those looking for a less invasive option with zero downtime.

Before Your Ultherapy Treatment

The first thing you’ll want to do is schedule a one-on-one consultation with Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery. During this session, your practitioner will address your concerns, assess your skin, and determine if you are a candidate for the treatment.

Once you book your Ultherapy procedure, you won’t need to follow any special preparations or skincare regiments in advance of the treatment; however, your doctor may recommend that you take over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication prior to your session.

Recovery and Aftercare

With Ultherapy, there is no downtime. You can return to your normal activities immediately after your procedure without any post-treatment restrictions or requirements.

Your skin might appear flushed at first, but the redness should disappear within a few hours. Some patients experience slight swelling, tingling, or tenderness to the touch, but these are mild and temporary.

Most patients only need one procedure, but some can benefit from more than one treatment, depending on their biological response to the ultrasound and collagen-building process, as well as how much laxity they have in their skin.

Consult with the Best Plastic Surgeon

If you are living in the Beverly Hills area and are looking for the best plastic surgeon to perform your Ultherapy treatment, then you should book a consultation with Dr. Chiu of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc. With years of experience in his filed, Dr. Chiu has the knowledge and knowhow to answer any questions or concerns that you might have about receiving Ultherapy.