The collagen fibres that provide internal support for our skin break down over time, and our bodies produce fewer new collagen fibres to replace them. This may result in a gradually drooping brow, wrinkles across the chest and loosening skin on the neck, jaw or chin.
Ultherapy is a noninvasive treatment that delivers collagen-boosting ultrasound energy into the deep layers of your skin. The energy initiates your body’s natural repair process, leading to the creation of new, strong collagen and a skin lifting and tightening effect on your chin, neck or brows.
What Is Ulthera?
Ulthera is the device used to perform Ultherapy treatments. The Ulthera system sends focused ultrasonic waves below the surface of the skin at the optimal temperature for collagen regeneration. To ensure the energy travels to the right place, the Ulthera system also uses ultrasound imaging to show physicians the different anatomical layers of the skin while performing the treatment. This proprietary real-time imaging technology ensures the ultrasound energy reaches the intended area.
How Does Ultherapy Work?
Ultherapy jumpstarts neocollagenesis, the natural process your body uses to make new collagen. When the ultrasonic waves reach the intended tissue layer, they generate a deep thermal (heat) effect. In turn, the heat stimulates collagen formation and gradually leads to a tightening or lifting of the skin. The superficial layers of the skin are not affected, and neither are surrounding structures like bones, nerves and blood vessels. This helps to reduce patient discomfort, downtime and side effects.
What Areas Can Be Treated With Ulthera?
By enhancing your body’s own regenerative response, Ultherapy can:
- Lift the brow and smooth the forehead
- Tighten skin under the chin
- Tighten skin on the neck
- Smooth lines and wrinkles on the chest
Who Are Ultherapy Treatments For?
Noninvasive and minimally invasive treatments are options for people who want to address the visible signs of ageing in their skin without undergoing an invasive surgical procedure like a facelift or brow lift. Candidates for Ultherapy have mild to moderate skin laxity. This means that there is some noticeable drooping in their skin, but it has not progressed to the point that a surgical approach would produce a better result.
Ultherapy can also be an option for patients who have already undergone a surgical procedure and have some residual skin laxity they’d like to address.
Ultherapy can be customised. Our physicians will assess your areas of concern during an initial consultation and help you decide whether Ultherapy is the proper treatment for you.
How Is Ultherapy Treatment Performed?
Before your Ultherapy treatment at AF Aesthetics, your physician will map out your skin to create a personalised treatment plan. Your physician will also cleanse your skin and apply the ultrasound gel in preparation for the procedure to begin.
Using the Ulthera system’s smooth treatment applicator, your physician will systematically treat the targeted area, holding each position briefly so the handpiece can fire multiple focused ultrasound points along your skin. Ultrasound imaging will help your physician determine the placement of the treatment energy.
The length of your Ultherapy treatment will depend on the area(s) being treated and your unique treatment plan. A chest treatment takes approximately 30 minutes, while a face and neck procedure typically takes 60 to 90 minutes.
What Is the Expected Recovery After Ultherapy?
One of the chief benefits of Ultherapy is that there is no required downtime following the procedure. You may notice a degree of redness and/or swelling after your treatment, but this generally resolves in a few hours. You will be free to resume your regular activities immediately if you are comfortable with your appearance.
Some patients experience bruising, numbness, soreness or tingling in the treated area. These side effects are less common, but out of an abundance of caution, Ultherapy may not be recommended just before a big event or special occasion.
When Will I See Results From My Ulthera Treatment?
You may notice some tightening of your skin and sense the lifting action soon after your Ultherapy session. These improvements are preliminary. The creation of new collagen takes two to three months to become fully apparent. Results gradually develop during this time, producing the treatment’s most significant benefits. The collagen-growth process can continue for up to six months.
How Many Ultherapy Treatments Will I Need?
Most Ultherapy patients only need one treatment. However, based on the individual’s collagen-building process, response to ultrasound energy and degree of skin laxity, some patients benefit from additional treatments.
How Long Do Ultherapy Results Last?
Your natural ageing process will determine how long your Ultherapy results last. Many individuals enjoy the visible rejuvenating effects of this treatment for up to a year. To maintain your results, touch-up treatments may be needed.
Request More Information About Ultherapy in Sydney
The AF Aesthetics team are proud to offer patients Ultherapy – an innovative, noninvasive way to tighten and lift skin. With decades of combined experience, our physicians’ expertise and meticulous eye for detail allow them to personalise each treatment according to the patient’s needs.
We encourage you to schedule a consultation with us today if you’d like more information about Ultherapy.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can Ultherapy replace facelift surgery?
Ultherapy is not a direct substitute for any surgical procedure. Although it does treat the deep foundational layer of skin (the SMAS) that is often addressed in facial rejuvenation surgeries, surgery can produce more significant results. Ultherapy is appropriate for those who are not ready for surgery or for patients looking to extend the effects of a surgical procedure.
Does Ultherapy hurt?
Tolerance levels vary from patient to patient. You will feel the ultrasound energy being deposited into your skin with an associated feeling of heat. The heating sensation is an indication that the procedure is working, and it does not last after the treatment is complete.
Ulthera vs. lasers — what is the difference?
Ulthera sends ultrasound energy to deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production without downtime. Laser systems rely on light energy and often focus only on superficial skin. Lasers that go deeper may require downtime after a procedure. The two technologies can be complementary because they often treat different skin issues.