Do you fancy a complete facelift without the hassle of downtime or the invasion of incisions? Then reading our guide to Ultherapy may be ideal for you.
What Is Ultherapy?
Ultherapy is otherwise known as ultrasound therapy. This is a non-invasive treatment to tighten and lift loose skin and wrinkles, and it’s performed on the face and other areas of the body. Ultherapy offers long-term results and to many it is a breakthrough, non-invasive facelift without the hassles from a surgery. BUt can you say farewell to fine lines, jowls, and sagging skin with Ultherapy? Read more to find out if this is the right treatment for you.
Due to its natural stimulation, Ultherapy has become a popular alternative to well-known treatments like Botox. Likewise, Ultherapy is FDA-approved and safe. Furthermore, thousands of medical professionals around the world perform this treatment and it’s known to be quite safe and effective.
Defined as an outpatient treatment once, Ultrasound therapy is a straightforward yet effective way of reversing the signs of aging. However, there’s more to know about the treatment before undertaking it. That’s where we come in to help, with our beginner’s guide to Ultherapy. Keep reading to learn all about the treatment.
Who Is Ultherapy Suitable For?
It’s up to the individual to decide whether Ultherapy is suitable for them, but a medical professional can offer advice. Younger people in their late 30s to mid-40s often haven’t yet reached the age where skin laxity is more obvious. At these ages, the skin hasn’t reached its ‘aged’ look yet.
The treatment is more suitable for those with noticeable skin elasticity and wrinkles aged 50 years or old, but, of course, it’s up to the patient. Some people may be younger than 50 but would still like to move forward with the procedure, and as far as we know, they never regret it!
Does Ultherapy hurt?
Patients may experience a burning sensation on the deep layers of skin as the probe treats parts of the face, neck, and decollete. However, some people may instead find Ultherapy treatment soothing, calming, and relaxing.
Whether the patient experiences pain or not depends on the individual’s tolerance for discomfort. Topical numbing cream may be applied 45 minutes before the treatment. This application brings relief and ease, especially towards the end of the procedure. After the treatment, your physician may apply a soothing cream to reduce any discomfort.
The pain threshold for everyone is different. Most people undertaking the treatment claim some level of pain and discomfort during the procedure. The pain heightens when the device is active.
Many people report experiencing tingling and sharp pains in the treated parts of the skin. The face is likely to twitch, but the pain reduces when your physician removes the device from the area.
Technological advancements to reduce the pain of Ultherapy are currently being worked on. Changes are also being explored to make the treatment more time-efficient. At the moment, the procedure typically takes over an hour, especially when performing on a full face.
Of course, it would be helpful to shorten that time, especially for those that experience some pain and discomfort.
Regardless of the pain or discomfort from Ultherapy, as the treatment doesn’t need any invasive cuts. It’s truly an attractive option as a facelift!
Before your Ultherapy treatment, you don’t need to do anything special to prepare for it. Your practitioner may suggest an over-the-counter or prescribed medicine for you to take before the treatment if you’re worried about any pain.
Generally, patients feel slight pain during the treatment. But, this discomfort indicates that the procedure is working effectively. Collagen is being restored!
Before you undergo Ultherapy, a medical professional should take photos of the treatment area. That way, you can use them as a reference to track the progress in results. When you retake photos after six or eight months, you’ll notice a clear difference.
Is Ultherapy a Face Lift?
One of the most frequently asked questions that we receive! So we thought we include it in our guide. Is Ultherapy a facelift ?. The answer is no, Ultherapy isn’t a facelift.
As aging occurs, skin starts to sag or become loose. Before Ultherapy, the only solution to counteract it was with surgery. But with Ultherapy, there isn’t any surgery involved, and the new technology is the most advanced available to us. It uses ultrasound and the body’s natural healing process to firm and lift your skin! No matter what color your skin is, after the treatment, you’ll have a more youthful complexion. That’s because this smart technology bypasses the surface of the skin, making it a colorblind treatment.
Is Ultherapy a Laser?
Ultherapy isn’t a laser either, as the procedure uses ultrasound technology. Lasers treat the skin from the outside in. However, Ultherapy tends to skin from the inside out. The procedure’s innovative technology helps the physician to see and treat the deepest support layers of the skin. Interestingly, this is all done without cutting or disrupting the surface of the skin at all.
If you’re looking for a laser treatment to improve the appearance of your skin or to address acne scars, many dermatologists and medical practices that offer Ultherapy also provide laser services.
Is Ultherapy Invasive?
No, Ultherapy isn’t invasive. Designed by Merz Pharma, Ultherapy was certified by the FDA as the only non-invasive facelifting treatment.
What Results Can I Expect?
Using innovative micro-focused ultrasound technology, Ultherapy lifts and tightens aging skin. Typically, areas of focus include the brow, neck, and jawline. After treatment, you can expect a diminished appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
An excellent way to compare Ultherapy is to relate it to when you were a child using a magnifying glass to burn some paper. That’s similar to what a machine does with ultrasound. The burn from Ultherapy is below the skin, and the skin cells produce collagen to repair the slight burn. That’s how collagen is created to improve the look of the skin.
The procedure of creating small burns beneath the skin activates the body and an individual’s physiology and processes.
While effects aren’t instantly visible, they’re subtle, natural-looking, and long-lasting. For individuals who have lost contours, such as on the jawline, when treated with Ultherapy, they’ll gain these contours once again with time.
Collagen produces slowly, but you’ll notice it developing over several months. Following Ultherapy, the texture and the quality of the skin significantly improve. It becomes tighter and more lifted.
It takes approximately three months until you notice the full effects of Ultherapy, as changes as gradual and subtle.
As collagen growth is gradual, one Ultherapy procedure is suitable for a year.
Is There Any Downtime?
The great advantage of Ultherapy is that the treatment often requires zero downtime. Ultherapy uses non-invasive and innovative ultrasound technology. So, the rest time is virtually nonexistent.
Patients can head straight to the gym or out for dinner and drinks right after the procedure if they wish to.
Side effects developing the following days after treatment vary from person to person. Some experience soreness and swelling, while others don’t.
Generally, life goes on as usual, though. As Ultherapy isn’t considered surgery and isn’t invasive, after a 60 to 90-minute in-office treatment, recovery is almost immediate. However, you’ll need someone to drive you home after the treatment.
The level of discomfort that’s sometimes experienced after Ultherapy differs from patient to patient. Some patients say that the procedure feels like a deep buzz that’s more irritating than painful. Others claim it feels like a warm pulse that amplifies.
The sensation from treatment is temporary, as it only continues while the ultrasound energy delivers.
Some patients may develop redness that lingers for a few hours, while others may experience tenderness that lasts for a few weeks. But this is nothing to worry about. The tenderness feeling may feel like you’ve recently exercised that muscle.
As with any treatment, your physician will review your side effects and reactions. They will also help you with any discomfort or pain management, if necessary.
When Can I Expect to See Results?
The best results of Ultherapy are often seen around two to three months after treatment, with skin more lifted and tightened. In our guide to Ultherapy, we note that some patients will see improvements up to six months after treatment.
Unlike procedures like Botox, patients have to wait to see visible results from Ultherapy. Results also depend on the size of the treatment and the skin health of the patient.
For the first few days after treatment, there is tenderness and not much to see. A few weeks will go past, and the skin will eventually soften and have a younger-looking appearance. Within a couple of months, the skin of the face will tighten further.
By the end of six months, wrinkles and sagging skin will be gone.
How Much Does Ultherapy Cost?
The cost of Ultherapy depends on what’s treated. The more you increase the surface area, the more you’ll likely have to pay.
The prices of Ultherapy also depend on the provider. Most people stick to having their face done, as this is the most visible area and the area that will show the best results.
Prices usually fall into the $3,500 to $4,500 range for a full face. However, to get an accurate estimation, you must visit your trusted board-certified Medical Spa and ask for a Free Consultation.
Will There Be Swelling after Ultherapy?
Swelling is a common side effect that many patients experience up to two weeks following the procedure. However, many people only experience swelling for a few days. And others may have swelling that lingers longer than usual. But, these people are outliers and it’s quite a rare side-effect to expect.
If the swelling persists, there are a few ways to reduce it. In our guide to Ultherapy, we suggest applying ice packs to the area and taking an antihistamine.
If the swelling persists beyond 72 hours and neither of these methods relieves it, talk to your doctor.
Are There Any Side Effects to Ultherapy?
Side effects are usually rare with Ultherapy. If they do appear, they are typically low to mild.
The side effects of Ultherapy are usually reported as a feeling of numbness in the treated area that lingers for a few days. While this numbness subsides, it can cause temporary issues with motor functions.
As mentioned, swelling and bruising are common side effects, but you can expect this.
Long-term side effects may include hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. If you’re worried about this, discuss these potential side effects with your doctor. It’s essential to note that often these issues aren’t present in the months and years following the procedure, according to most doctors.
There’s also the risk of nerve injury. However, when a physician conducts this treatment professionally, this risk is very low.
Is There Any Aftercare Involved with Ultherapy?
There isn’t much a patient has to do after an Ultherapy session. The individual can go about their usual daily routine without the need to apply creams or any other products to the treated area.
How Many Ultherapy Treatments Should I Have?
Ultherapy is usually a one-time procedure. The results are likely to last years after just one visit. Some people go for a secondary procedure after waiting a suitable amount of time. However, this isn’t usually necessary as results are generally very effective the first time around.
Using Our Guide to Ultherapy
With our guide to Ultherapy, now you can determine whether the treatment is right for you or not.
To learn more about our Ultherapy treatments , Schedule a complimentary consultation to see if you’re a suitable candidate, and ask all your questions about this popular treatment.
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