The procedure uses ultrasound energy to heat the skin tissue, causing it to contract and stimulate new collagen production.
You will feel a gentle, tingling sensation during your Ultherapy treatment as the technology delivers the energy to the depths of your skin.
After your Ultherapy treatment, the treated skin areas may become flushed or red in the hours following the procedure. Short-term sensations including tingling, swelling, and tenderness may also occur. These symptoms typically subside within a few days of the treatment.
Ultrasound Energy
Ultrasound energy is a form of mechanical energy that can be used to produce thermal effects in tissues. The energy travels through most mediums, such as water, ice and air, in waves that vibrate the particles in the medium. This movement of the particles causes the material to be deformed or displaced. The resulting oscillation of the particles produces heat, which can then be converted to energy by the molecules in the tissue.
In the human body, sound frequencies range from about 16 Hz to 20 kHz. Beyond this upper limit, the vibration of the molecules is not audible. This vibration, or ultrasound energy, can be used in therapy as a means of heating or ablating tissue (e.g., to kill cancer cells).
When the acoustic energy is delivered from the ultrasound machine, it is directed at a specific target. This can be done with pulsed or continuous mode. Pulsed mode is more effective at causing tissue effects, because the energy is delivered in bursts of time. It is also more effective at targeting specific targets, such as tumors and blood vessels.
During the treatment, ultrasound energy is emitted from a transducer that is placed over the targeted area and aimed at a gel-filled chamber. The gel absorbs the energy and enables it to be directed into deep layers of skin. This directs the energy where it can be most beneficial for healing.
The transducer consists of a piezoelectric ceramic crystal that vibrates when an electrical current is applied to it. The crystal vibrates at high frequencies. These frequencies are similar to the sound frequencies that you hear when you speak or sing.
These frequencies are called ultrasound waves and are used by many different devices to perform sanitary procedures, aesthetic treatments or industrial processes. These ultrasound frequencies range from 20 kHz to 31.5 kHz, and they can be absorbed by the human body.
As a result, it is important to understand how the sound waves in ultrasound energy work and how they can be used for therapeutic purposes. This can help you make the right decision for your needs.
High-Resolution Visualization
According to Dr. Rokhsar, ultherapy is a non-invasive, safe, and effective cosmetic procedure that uses micro-focused ultrasound energy to lift the skin. The ultrasound beams stimulate collagen production in the deep layers of the skin, which can help tighten and tone sagging or loose skin.
In addition, Ultherapy is the only device on the market that allows physicians to visualize the tissue they are targeting with ultrasound energy. This visualisation is a key factor in Ultherapy’s success as it allows the provider to pinpoint the tissues that will benefit from treatment and choose the correct depth of treatment.
During treatment, the physician or laser technician applies an ultrasound gel to the patient’s skin and then uses the visualization to determine which tissue they are targeting. Then, they use the ultrasound energy to heat the targeted tissue and cause thermocoagulation, which causes the body to produce new collagen and elastin.
The visualization allows the doctor or laser technician to see exactly where the pulsed energy is going and can guide the patient through the entire procedure. This makes the treatment process more efficient and results in a better outcome for the patient.
High-resolution visualization can also be used during a procedure to check for complications. For example, if there is a problem with the HIFU device or an over-the-top application of ultrasound gel, this can be easily detected and avoided.
However, if you are considering the treatment, it is important to find an experienced practitioner who can ensure you get the best possible outcome. There are many factors that can lead to botched Ultherapy treatments, including improper patient selection and the wrong amount of ultrasound gel.
The FDA approved Ultherapy in 2004 to tighten and lift the skin on the face, neck, and decolletage (chest). Since then, researchers have discovered that this non-invasive skin tightening method can make a difference in skin physiology. As a result, more and more people are opting to have the treatment. It is the only FDA-cleared method for non-surgical skin lifting, and it has been shown to be safe and effective.
Non-Invasive
Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to stimulate the body’s natural collagen production process. This results in tighter and firmer skin on your face and neck, chin, and chest.
The ultrasound waves used in Ultherapy penetrate the deep layers of the skin without harming the outer layer, which is why it’s a non-invasive alternative to surgical procedures like a face lift or neck lift. It has also been proven to be safe and effective in clinical studies.
During an Ultherapy session, a licensed doctor or technician will clean the areas to be treated and apply ultrasound gel. The ultrasound applicator is then placed against the skin, and the tiny amounts of energy deposited to precise depths initiate the collagen-building process.
Your practitioner may also apply a numbing cream to the treatment area before performing the procedure. This is to reduce discomfort, but the majority of patients feel nothing at all during a treatment session.
After the treatment, the skin may appear flushed or red for a few hours, but this dissipates quickly and leaves you with revitalised skin. Depending on your skin’s ability to produce collagen, results are expected to become apparent from three to six months after treatment.
This treatment is suitable for most people with mild to moderate skin laxity, especially around the neck, chin, and brow. It’s also a good option for those who aren’t yet ready for surgery but want to improve the appearance of their skin.
The treatment is typically performed in one session and can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the area to be treated. Your practitioner will identify the areas to be treated during your in-depth consultation, so you’re fully prepared for a smooth, painless experience.
A single treatment is usually sufficient to achieve the desired results, but future touch-up treatments can help maintain the youthful look and texture of your skin. Based on the degree of your skin laxity, the biological response to the ultrasound energy and your unique collagen-building process, some patients may require additional treatment sessions.
The results of your Ultherapy treatment will be visible for up to a year, but as skin ages, it loses its elasticity and becomes more porous. This is normal and part of the aging process, but it’s not something you need to worry about.
No Downtime
The Ulthera(r) procedure is a non-invasive, no-downtime lift for the face and neck that stimulates your body’s natural production of collagen. This results in tighter, firmer skin that looks and feels more youthful.
The treatment is performed by a trained physician, using a small handheld device that delivers ultrasound energy to the targeted area. The energy is absorbed by the tissue to reach precise depths and stimulate collagen.
During the treatment, your skin will feel slightly warm or tingly as the ultrasound energy is deposited to the tissue. This sensation is temporary and is an indication that the treatment is working.
Your doctor will apply a topical anesthetic to your skin and then use the Ulthera(r) device to deliver the ultrasound energy. This is a safe and effective procedure that has been used in the medical field for more than 50 years and has received FDA approval.
Patients are typically comfortable during the treatment and can resume normal activities immediately afterward. Some bruising or redness is possible, but this is generally mild and should fade within a few hours.
Since the treatment is non-invasive, it can be performed on a variety of skin types and colors. This makes it an excellent option for women who don’t want to have surgery, but are still looking to improve their skin laxity and reduce wrinkles.
It is also a good choice for men who are looking for a way to tighten the skin on their chest, as the procedure can improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles on that area as well.
When choosing an Ulthera(r) provider, be sure to select one who has extensive experience with the procedure and can ensure that it will produce the best results for you. A thorough consultation is important so that your doctor can determine which areas of your skin are most likely to benefit from the procedure.
Most patients see an immediate “boost” after their initial treatment, but the full results develop over the next few months as the new collagen continues to work to lift and tighten your skin. You may need a few treatments to achieve the desired results, but your physician will discuss this with you during your consultation.