Ultherapy®

Our faces tell many stories, and while wrinkles might say ‘experience’, droopiness can say ‘tired’. Surgery has always been an option, but now there’s Ultherapy, a non-surgical ultrasound treatment for counteracting the effects of time and gravity on your skin. The beauty of this 30-60 minute face, neck and chest treatment is that it uses the body’s own regenerative response to gently and gradually restore memory to the skin and underlying tissue support.

As with other ultrasound procedures, a smooth applicator placed upon your skin projects an image onto a screen that allows your provider to plan where the energy will be directed.  This same applicator is then used to deliver low levels of focused heat to just the right depth below the skin to achieve a positive effect, all the while leaving the surface of your skin undisturbed.

Your skin’s response to the energy is to stimulate the growth of new collagen.  A gradual tightening and firming occurs, resulting in a natural lift of the skin over time.

Total treatment time depends upon the amount of skin that you want treated. An average-sized forehead takes 30 minutes while the full face requires 90 minutes. Time may vary with each individual.

There can be some discomfort while the energy is being delivered, but it is temporary and a signal that the collagen-building process has been initiated.  A mild sedative* such as oral Valium® can help keep you relaxed throughout the procedure. Many patients describe the sensation as a momentary prickling or heat beneath the skin.  You can improve your pain tolerance by avoiding large amounts of caffeine and nicotine prior to treatment. Do not schedule your treatment within a week of other surgeries, stressful social events, or menstruation.

Our patients typically leave comfortable and excited about the benefits to come!

*For patients completing multiple areas of treatment (i.e. brow + cheeks + upper neck, etc.), please discuss additional ways to manage discomfort with your provider.

You are able to return to your normal activities right away, and there are no special measures you need to take. Your skin may appear a bit flushed immediately after the treatment, but any redness will subside in a matter of hours. It’s not uncommon to experience slight swelling for a few days following the procedure or tingling/tenderness to the touch for a few weeks following the procedure.  These feelings are temporary and mild in nature.  There are other less-common post-procedural effects, such as temporary small areas of bruising or numbness, which your provider will review with you.

Most people can feel a difference in their skin immediately following the procedure. With just one treatment the regenerative process is initiated, but the full effect will build gradually over a course of three to six months.

Visible effects include a lifting and toning of sagging skin.  In the FDA clinical trial for instance, nine out of ten patients had a noticeable, significant lift of the brow line.  This resulted in reduced skin laxity of the eyelid and a more open, youthful look to the eyes overall.  Patients reported firmer, better-fitting skin in other areas of the face and neck as well.  There is also an invisible result from the procedure with the creation of new collagen, which can help to slow down the rate of skin aging.

Results are estimated to last two to three years. As with any cosmetic procedure, the duration of benefits depends on factors such as smoking, overall health, and cumulative sun damage. Good skin care can help maintain the benefits.

This will be determined by your provider, but we have good clinical results based upon just one or two treatments. In addition, we will schedule a three-month follow-up appointment so we can track your progress.

Ultherapy^® uses ultrasound energy, which has been around for over 50 years.  Clinical studies have confirmed the safety of this application. As with any medical procedure there are general safety considerations, which your provider will review with you.

Surgical lifting of the brow, eyelid, neck, and/or face provides the greatest improvement in skin laxity and associated wrinkles but requires anesthesia and some recovery time. Ablative lasers (e.g., carbon dioxide or erbium laser) can improve wrinkles and cause some skin tightening by vaporizing the outer layers of skin; however, the recovery period and risks (infection, color abnormalities, etc.) are much greater. Ultherapy^® is the most effective nonsurgical method for preventing and improving laxity of the skin.

*Medicine is not an exact science and individual results may vary.