The signs of aging are impossible to avoid; we all see them at some point. It is helpful to be prepared for the onset of skin laxity and volume loss so when this does occur, we are familiar with our options for appropriate rejuvenation. We are proud to offer treatments to give proven new life to the skin, including Ultherapy.
What is Ultherapy?
Ultherapy is a skin tightening platform that is based on the innovative use of ultrasound. Ultrasound is typically recognized as a form of imaging, somewhat like x-rays. In the instance of Ultherapy, ultrasound is used in a clinical, therapeutic sense. The objective of this treatment is to induce skin-firming collagen.
What sets Ultherapy apart from other skin-tightening procedures is the use of its base energy to both visualize and treat the precise depth of tissue to achieve the best possible results. First, the Ultherapy system shows us exactly where collagen-producing cells lie; then it delivers powerful energy to excite them into a prolonged period of production.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Ultherapy?
Many adults over the age of 35 are great candidates for Ultherapy. This non-invasive treatment is an excellent option for treating mild-to-moderate skin laxity; looseness that needs to be addressed but isn’t quite ready for a surgical facelift. Ultherapy is often performed to reduce the appearance of jowls, drooping eyebrows, heavy eyelids, submental fullness (double-chin), and loose neck and chest skin. This non-surgical treatment does not achieve results that are as dramatic as a surgical facelift. However, there is also no downtime, no incisions, and no anesthesia risks.
If you want to look younger but aren’t quite ready for a surgical lift, Ultherapy may be an attractive opportunity to age at your chosen pace.
What are the benefits of Ultherapy?
Ultherapy is a preferred method of facial rejuvenation for several reasons. Benefits of this treatment include:
- Non-invasive tissue remodeling. Ultherapy does not incur stitches and does not require anesthesia. It provides a significant improvement in lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin without the side effects and potential complications of surgery.
- Safety. Ultherapy is cleared by the FDA for the treatment of tissue laxity and wrinkles on the face and neck. No substances are injected into the body and there are zero anesthesia risks because none is needed.
- Customized care. The Ultherapy device provides us with a visual of the lower layers of the skin using painless ultrasound imaging. This allows the doctor to determine the exact locations that are most in need of tissue remodeling.
- Convenience. After the non-invasive treatment, patients can immediately resume normal activities with minimal, if any, redness.
- Natural-looking rejuvenation. Because Ultherapy works with the body to produce healthy new collagen, the results look completely natural. It’s like aging in reverse.
- Long-lasting. Many skin-tightening treatments require multiple sessions to achieve optimal results. Ultherapy achieves dramatic tissue-tightening in one visit. The results of the treatment can last as long as two years. With occasional touch-ups, the skin can remain firm and supple.
What should you avoid before an Ultherapy treatment?
Before Ultherapy, patients should be careful to avoid excess sun exposure. The treatment may be more uncomfortable if the skin is sunburned. It is also necessary to avoid certain products before undergoing Ultherapy. Examples include ibuprofen, retinol creams, and vitamin E. Our office may provide a conclusive list of dos and don’ts before your appointment. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
How Ultherapy Works
Aging and lifestyle habits combine to determine how the skin on the face ages. Our level of UV exposure, what we eat, how much alcohol we consume, whether or not we smoke, and even how well we sleep will affect biological aging as much as chronological age. These factors, as well as hormonal shifts, can deplete the strength of existing collagen, the protein that is responsible for wound healing and skin firmness and thickness.
Ultherapy addresses the signs of aging by exciting the cells that produce collagen with heat. When fibroblasts reach a precise temperature, collagen remodeling begins. For months after treatment, these cells remain more active than they would without treatment. As a result, the appearance of the skin progressively improves.
Targeting the cells and tissues that lie deeper beneath the skin’s surface – those that give the skin its structure – achieve long-lasting change. Prolonged collagen production strengthens the connective tissue that lies in the superficial layers of the dermis, ultimately upgrading the appearance of the epidermis.
Delivering ultrasound energy to the dermis is not unlike concentrating the sun’s rays using a magnifying glass. Energy bypasses superficial tissues and penetrates into the depth of tissue that prompts a healing response – the increased production of collagen.
How is Ultherapy different from other Skin Tightening procedures?
Various skin tightening procedures have been developed in recent years. Some stimulate collagen production by targeting the dermis with radiofrequency energy, some with laser energy. Ultherapy is the only aesthetic ultrasound device of its kind. This platform not only delivers powerful ultrasound waves but does so in a precise way. Before sending waves into the deeper layers of tissue, the device first observes the treatment area diagnostically. This helps determine the precise depth at which ultrasound waves should be delivered, achieving outstanding results in a single session.
How long does an Ultherapy treatment take?>
Ultherapy treatments can last thirty to sixty minutes. This may depend on the extent of treatment. Ultherapy may be limited to one part of the face, the face only, or may address the face and neck in one session. We will discuss how much time to allow for your treatment when you schedule your appointment.
How long after an Ultherapy treatment will I see my results?
Patients do not typically report looking and feeling any different after their Ultherapy treatment. This can be a benefit, though. There is no swelling, bruising, soreness, or downtime associated with treatment, so patients can resume their normal activities without looking like they’ve had work done. Over time, as collagen is remodeled, the skin looks firmer, tighter, and younger. The results of Ultherapy continue to build over 3 to 6 months.
Is Ultherapy treatment painful?
No. Ultherapy uses safe, effective ultrasound waves to stimulate profound tissue remodeling in a gentle manner. Some areas of the face may be slightly uncomfortable as tissue absorbs the energy. Your provider observes your response and can adjust the settings on the device if the energy feels too intense.
How Long Does Ultherapy Last?
Collagen production may peak between six and eight months, which is why follow-up treatments may be scheduled on an annual basis. The longevity of results varies from person to person depending on their lifestyle and the natural aging process.
Ultherapy Side Effects
Ultherapy is not only non-surgical, but it is also altogether non-invasive. Most patients develop minimal side effects from treatment beyond residual redness, tingling, and minimal swelling. Though it is uncommon for swelling to worsen before it decreases, some patients do notice more swelling the day after treatment. The treatment itself can be slightly uncomfortable, but this is due to the immediate effects of energy absorption. After Ultherapy, most patients are able to resume their normal daily activities immediately.
Many people who undergo Ultherapy notice immediate improvement in the tightness of their skin. This is due to the constriction of collagen strands related to heating. Usually, this initial response in the skin diminishes after a few days. The lasting results of treatment occur gradually as the new production of collagen restructures the foundation of the skin to be firmer.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Kronberg proudly serves patients in the Houston area who are interested in reducing the effects of aging with non-invasive modalities. We would be happy to discuss what Ultherapy can do for you. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kronberg call 713-988-8442.