Although “smoother, tighter, toned” sounds like it could be a Daft Punk anthem for the forever young, it’s actually an ode to the anti-aging treatment known as Ultherapy. Also referred to as Ulthera, the FDA-approved treatment uses the power of ultrasound to reverse the impacts of gravity and hands of time. Areas Ultherapy is known to gently lift and tone include the eyebrows, under the chin, the neck, and the chest area. Other areas that work well include the under-eye area (but not too close to the eyes), the cheeks, and the lower half of the face.
Those of you who think it’s a little too early to go under the knife for a facelift but notice skin laxity and sagging may find Ultherapy to the perfect alternative anti-aging treatment to refresh the way you look. Not only is there no downtime and no foreign substance being injected into the body’s ecosystem (especially for our organic readers), it also brings natural results that won’t leave your face looking overdone.
So Ultherapy works by delivering concentrated energy that bypasses the skin’s surface to penetrate deeper tissue layers and “injure” the areas being focused on. Although injuring your skin doesn’t sound like a very good idea, studies have shown that (in this case) the body responds by stimulating collagen production. And collagen is one of the main proteins of the skin’s supportive structure that helps it to be taut, maintain firmness and keep wrinkles at bay. Weakened collagen has a role in a sagging because it makes the skin’s support structure more susceptible to the ravages of gravity’s pull.
WHO DOES ULTHERAPY SUIT BEST?
Although it is quite dependent on lifestyle, Ultherapy generally works best on those around age 35-60 with medium levels of sagging and skin laxity.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING TREATMENT?
The first step is to cleanse the skin and identify the areas that need to be treated. After the application of ultrasound gel, treatment begins. Energy can be targeted to the more superficial layers of the skin to help fine lines and wrinkles or to the deeper layers to combat sagging. Ultrasound imaging shows the layers of skin throughout the treatment, allowing for the energy to be targeted to where it is needed most. The length of treatment depends on the area being treated. A full face and neck treatment take approximately 60-90 minutes, and the chest area roughly 30 minutes.
DOES IT HURT?
The one downside of Ultherapy is the pain factor. It can hurt, especially on areas close to nerves or bone, though it varies between patients and the level of energy used. Common facial areas that are sensitive tend to be the forehead, jawline and around the eye area. The good news is the pain doesn’t persist – it stops once the treatment ends.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
After treatment, the skin might appear flushed for up to an hour. There have been reports of short-term swelling, tingling, and soreness as well as sometimes slight bruising. Though there aren’t any formal rules for aftercare, we recommend holding off on strenuous activity like exercise for 24 hours following treatment.
HOW LONG TO SEE BENEFITS?
Since collagen generation takes some time, results are not immediate. Generally, skin rejuvenation can be seen within 2-3 months, with more optimal results showing around the 6-month mark.
HOW LONG DO RESULTS LAST?
It truly depends on lifestyle, but clinical studies have shown results last for at least a year. As we all know, the aging process is ongoing so further treatments are required to maintain similar results. Experts estimate a range of anywhere between 1-3 years between treatments.
Ultherapy is one of the best options on the market for skin tightening and we definitely recommend it as a great option for anyone in need of a little boost in firmness.
Discover more about other types of facials treatments in our guide.