Ultherapy – Ultrasound Face Lift

Ultherapy is a non-surgical ultrasound device that stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin deep within the skin, and tightens the muscle layer. Ultrasound has been used in medicine for over 50 years for 2 purposes:

1. It is used to look inside the body such as with baby scans. The visualisation mode used in Ultherapy has been patented and hence no other machines have this valuable and essential function.
2. The heat energy created can be used to promote healing.

With Ultherapy we use precise ultrasound energy to target the deep structural layers of the skin without disrupting the skin’s surface. We deliver high doses of energy that cause contraction of the tissues and stimulate collagen and elastin, giving the skin a firmer texture, healthy quality and fewer wrinkles.

We first target the muscle layer that surgeons pull tight in a face lift. With Ultherapy we heat the muscle to 68 degrees which causes it to shrink (as with frying a steak in a pan it shrivels up), this gives the lifting power. After treating this layer, we then heat the lower part of the dermis (the skin), this stimulates new collagen and elastin. The end result is lifting and tightening of the tissues with good firm skin quality.

These are both important building blocks within our skin. Collagen is an abundant protein and is important in providing strength and stability. It is produced by special cells called fibroblasts but over time our skin loses some of its collagen, contributing to skin laxity and sagging. Elastin is a high elastic protein and allows the skin to resume its normal shape after stretching or contracting. Again, as we age, our skin loses some elastin contributing to aging.

The length of the treatment will depend on the area being treated and your individual treatment plan. A face and neck procedure takes 60-90minutes, while a chest treatment takes approximately 30 minutes. We can also do smaller treatment areas, such as around the mouth for lip lips, or under the eyes for poor quality skin.

There is continued improvement of the quality of the skin for up to 12 months. Initial results can be after about 6 weeks, but most people will see a noticeable difference by 3-4 months. After 12months there is no further improvement from the treatment, but having wound back the clock by 5 years, we are then just fighting natural aging.

Most patients need one treatment. However, based on the degree of skin laxity, the biological response to ultrasound and the individual’s collagen-building process, some patients benefit from additional treatments. Because skin continues to age, future touch up treatments can help patients keep pace with the body’s natural ageing process.

After an Ultherapy procedure, you can resume your usual lifestyle and activities immediately without having to follow any special post-treatment measures.

Some people will find the treatment itself uncomfortable, so this is managed with local anaesthetic cream and painkillers.

There may be redness for a few hours after the treatment and possibly some urticarial lines. This all settles quickly.

The week afterwards, there can be some bruising, mild swelling and occasional tenderness along the jawline. Transient local muscle weakness is rare but possible due to inflammation of a nerve. If you experience side effects, they are temporary and short lived.

Over 1 million Ultherapy treatments have been performed safely. Ultherapy has the industry’s highest safety stamps of approval; FDA clearance and CE marking. They perform rigorous safety checks and clinical trials requiring substantial evidence that the treatment is effective.

Anyone can be treated, the 30’s age group benefit preventatively and reduce the onset of sagging, 40’s-50’s really tighten up that sagging that has started to appear. 60’s onward also benefit, although a good candidate has mild to moderate laxity. At this age, you may benefit from treatment of smaller areas such as firming up the smokers lines around the mouth, puffiness/hallows under the eyes or a brow lift for droopy lids. The possibilities are endless and exciting.

While Ultherapy does not duplicate the results of a facelift, it may be used before, or as an alternative to surgery and after surgery to maintain the effects. Unlike surgery it also has the added benefit of allowing you to resume your usual lifestyle and activities immediately.

Lasers rely on light energy, which typically only treat superficial skin (around 1mm in depth) and they are not FDA cleared or CE marked to lift the skin. Lasers also work through the skin surface, often resulting in downtime after the procedure. Ultherapy’s ultrasound bypasses the skin going to depths upto 4.5m, with no downtime. The two technologies treat different issues and can be compatible.