How does Ultherapy work?
Ultherapy is a non-surgical ultrasound treatment that stimulates the body to produce new collagen and elastin deeply within the skin. Ultherapy utilises precise ultrasound energy to specifically target the deep structural layers without damaging the epidermis of the skin. After treatment, the body responds with a wound healing response, new collagen and elastin is produced, creating a lifting and tightening effect over time.
Am I suitable for Ultherapy?
The ideal candidate for Ultherapy is typically someone who has a mild to moderate degree of skin laxity that wants to improve lifting, tightening and skin firmness. Perhaps they are not fully ready for a surgical skin tightening procedure such as a facelift. Typically, those in their thirties and early forties 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 facelift procedure to ensure a better result. Nonetheless patients with more advanced and obvious laxity of the skin, who have already ruled out an invasive surgical facelift, may also benefit from the Ultherapy procedure.
How long does Ultherapy treatment take?
A full face and neck treatment will take 90 – 120 minutes. A partial face or brow lift treatment can take around 30 minutes.
How many treatments are required?
The majority of patients will only need one treatment.Rarely, some patients may benefit from more than one treatment depending on the degree of laxity and their body’s own clinical response to the Ultrasound technology. This will be assessed at your consultation and follow-up appointment.
What does the treatment feel like? Does Ultherapy hurt?
Comfort thresholds will vary but you should expect mild to moderate pain during treatment as the ultrasound energy is being delivered. We often try to minimise this by administering a combination of three oral pain killers 1 hour prior to the procedure to provide analgesia. Once the treatment is completed you will be pain free.
Which area of the body can Ultherapy treat?
Ultherapy is an ideal treatment for lifting and tightening loose and lax skin on the face and neck regions, with optimal results within the cheek and jowl areas in particular. Ultherapy is also licensed for the décolletage area. Ultherapy can also be used on other parts of the body including banana rolls and sagging buttocks
Is there any downtime from Ultherapy?
The procedure may result in very mild swelling, discomfort and possible redness. These symptoms usually subsides within a few hours and most patients are able to return to normal daily activities immediately after their treatment.
Are top up treatments required?
As the collagen produced by the Ultherapy procedure is subject to ageing like our existing collagen, it is envisaged that top up treatments will be required at yearly intervals to maintain optimal clinical results.
What are the known side effects from Ultherapy?
There may be slight redness for up to an hour or so following the treatment and a small percentage of patients may have slight swelling, tingling or tenderness to touch within the treatment area. These symptoms are mild and temporary in nature. As with any procedure, there is always the possibility for side effects. These are very uncommon and usually settle without any long term complications.
They can include possible bruising, skin discolouration, prolonged stinging, numbness, or tingling and the appearance of skin welts. If these do arise, they are usually temporary and settle over the first few days to weeks.
When will I see the results?
Following treatment, you may notice an initial short-term boost due to the tightening of your existing collagen. However, new collagen stimulated by the Ultherapy procedure takes time to mature and form a supportive framework, hence results will continue to improve 4-6 months post treatment with some patients reporting changes up to 12 months post procedure.
How long will the results last?
Research studies have reported clinical effects lasting 18 months to 2 years or more. It is envisaged that patients may seek another top up treatment before this time to maintain their clinical appearance.
Can I expect similar results to a surgical facelift?
The simple answer is no. When there is excessive sagging or laxity in the facial tissues, then the only realistic and feasible option is a surgical facelift. For the treatment of mild or moderate laxity however, Ultherapy is often the preferred treatment option.
Are all Ultherapy treatments the same in any clinic?
The answer to this is absolutely not. There are a number of variables that can dramatically effect the treatment results.
- An experienced, highly trained practitioner performing the treatment is crucial to clinical outcome
- The SMAS layer must be visualised with a high degree of accuracy.
- A lot of energy must be applied – this is critical. More energy usually means more effect and therefore better results.
- Appropriate client selection is of paramount importance. More energy usually means more effect and therefore better results.
When is Ultherapy not advised?
Ultherapy is not advised in clinical situations where there is severe laxity of the skin, underlying muscle and subcutaneous fat tissues. It is also not advised in conditions where there is any form of collagen or immune disease, severe thinning of the skin, or extensive sun damage. It is also not very effective in overweight individuals with overfull round faces.
Does Ultherapy work on darker skin types?
Yes. The colour of your skin does not impact on the clinical effectiveness of Ultherapy treatment.
Is Ultherapy safe?
Ultherapy is the only FDA approved non-surgical skin tightening device and over 1.75 million patients have been treated world wide. It is regarded as the Gold Standard lifting device and tightening treatment with over 110 studies (60 peer reviewed papers and 50 clinical studies)