WHAT IS ULTHERAPY?
HOW DOES ULTHERAPY WORK?
HOW MUCH DOES ULTHERAPY COST?
HOW LONG DOES ULTHERAPY LAST?
About Using Ultherapy Non-Surgical Facelift to Transform Your Looks
The Ultherapy non-surgical facelift procedure is a safe, non-surgical treatment that uses ultrasound technology to counteract the effects of time and gravity on your skin. It uses the body’s own regenerative response – the generation of collagen – to gently and gradually lift skin. The therapy is commonly used on the eyebrow, under the chin and on the neck, and smooth lines and wrinkles on the décolletage.
Ultherapy non-surgical facelift is the only non-invasive treatment approved by the FDA to lift sagging skin. It is also the only cosmetic procedure to use ultrasound imaging, which allows practitioners to see the layers of tissue best targeted during treatment to give lasting results. On top of that, Ultherapy is the only non-invasive procedure specifically indicated by the FDA to improve lines and wrinkles on the chest.
*Individual results may vary.
Who Is Ultherapy For?
As we grow older, our bodies stop producing collagen. We then start losing the collagen in our bodies when in our 30s. This leads to sagging wrinkled skin. Ultherapy is ideal for anyone over 30 who sees the onset of sagginess, wrinkles, fine lines, and jowls around the brow, neck, and chest.
Ultherapy FAQ’s
How long does Ultherapy take?
The length of the treatment will depend on the area being treated. A face and neck procedure typically takes 60-90 minutes, while a chest treatment takes approximately 30 minutes. A Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center consultant will be able to give you more information after discussing a tailored plan to suit your needs.
Ulthera Vs. Thermage
The debate on which among Ulthera vs Thermage is the best skin tightening treatment rages on. Ulthera harnesses the power of ultrasound while Thermage uses radiofrequency technology. While both skin tightening treatments leave one looking younger and glowing, there are some key differences that set them apart.
Ulthera comes out tops in efficacy as it treats multiple layers of tissue below the skin and works deeper for a more natural and longer lasting effect. Ulthera has the additional advantage of causing less pain and discomfort with fewer side effects. Some side effects one might experience with Thermage include skin redness, mild swelling, and bumps but these wear off within hours.
Thermage relies on a cooling spray to cool your skin which heats up during treatment but the more advanced ultrasound technology used in Ulthera targets deeper skin layers without heating up the skin surface.
Both treatments are safe and FDA-approved though it’s not advisable to use Thermage on people over the age of 50 or on areas with loose muscles or high concentrations of fat. Ulthera makes use of acoustic imaging for accurate targeting. This provides an extra layer of safety as your skin specialist can make real time decisions during treatment.
Are there any side effects of Ultherapy?
The treatment has been used safely in over 250,000 treatments worldwide. Before it’s cosmetic use at facilities like the Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center, ultrasound energy has been used safely in the medical field for more than 50 years. Every Ultherapy practitioner receives extensive procedural training, so you can feel confident you’re getting the highest level of treatment at Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center
As with any medical procedure, there is a small chance that you may temporarily experience some side effects. The skin might appear flushed at first, but the redness should disappear within a few hours. Some patients experience swelling, tingling, or tenderness of the skin, but these are temporary in nature. Other, less common effects may include temporary bruising or numbness on small areas of skin.
How long will it take to see results from Ultherapy?
There are two phases of correction after Ultherapy. The first is collagen contracture, which literally is occurring as we perform the procedure. As a result, many patients will appreciate a subtle, but distinct, improvement in their appearance within a few days following the treatment. Ultimately the more impressive correction is from collagen stimulation. Your body responds to the pinpoint thermal injuries placed in the deep tissue by creating new collagen fibers. Collagen fiber formation can take several months, so the final results from Ultherapy may take up to 6 months.
What to expect during your Ultherapy treatment.
During your treatment a variety of ultrasound transducers (the hand piece which delivers the ultrasound energy) may be used. Each transducer treats different tissue depths, from deep to shallow.
The deep transducer is usually applied first and you will feel more sensation than the shallower transducers. The sensation can be likened to a Fourth of July Sparkler “spark” touching the surface of your skin – fine sparks of heat that dissipate immediately. Most patients find the sensation unpleasant but tolerable. You will be given a medical device that you will control and allows you to direct cold air where you need it. This helps tremendously with the level of sensation. There are many adjustments which can be made through the treatment if you find yourself sensitive. Please let your provider know how you are feeling so we can make those adjustments as necessary.
Some patients experience a toothache type discomfort for several minutes after an area has been treated. The ibuprofen which you take prior to the session will help considerably.
Immediately after the procedure the treated area may look slightly pink like you have had a facial. Rarely, some spots of bruising may be already visible, but typically bruising is not evident until 2-5 days after the session.
To minimize risk of bruising we will give you ice packs and recommend icing and holding pressure on your cheeks and jawline for about 10 minutes after the session.
If your forehead was treated you may have a mild headache, stinging, or hair pulling sensation in your scalp following the treatment. When this occurs it usually last less than 24 hours but on rare occasions can continue to be sporadically bothersome for up to a week.
You may immediately apply makeup following the treatment and there are no post-procedure limitations on activity.
What should I do before my Ultherapy treatment?
Stop any medications that thin your blood, as bruising is possible. If you are unsure about whether your medications are blood thinners please review this with our providers prior to your treatment. Over the counter medications like aspirin, daily large dose anti-inflammatories and fish oil supplements may also exacerbate bruising and should be discontinued.
We highly recommend starting arnica montana, an oral homeopathic supplement which has been shown to reduce bruising and swelling. You should start 3-5 days prior to the procedure and continue for up to a week if you do experience bruising. Arnica montana is available at most health food stores. The recommended dose is three sublingual pearls three times daily.
On the day of your Ultherapy treatment
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing to your appointment.
- Prior to your treatment photography, will be taken for comparison on your follow up.
- Thirty minutes prior to your treatment we recommend that you take 800 mg of ibuprofen for pain relief during the session. A single dose like this will not exacerbate your bruising.
What should I do after my Ultherapy treatment?
- You can expect none or some of the following symptoms immediately after the procedure. These symptoms may persist for up to four weeks. Most patients have very mild symptoms but, as with any medical procedure, each patient experiences it uniquely.
- Symptoms always subside over time. There have been no reports of long lasting complications. The treated area may be slightly pink for up to a few hours.
- Bruising, swelling and tenderness can occur in the treated area. Bruising may not be evident for several days following the treatment and often is greenish in color by the time it becomes visible. Most common areas for bruising are along the jawline and cheekbone.
- Even without bruising, tenderness to the touch is expected. This is usually most evident along the jawline and cheekbone and most often noted when touching your face, washing or applying makeup. This will not interfere with eating, talking or moving your facial muscles.
- Irritation of peripheral sensory or motor nerves is uncommon but can happen. This can result in temporary patches of decreased sensation or some weakness of facial muscles (usually the muscle which pulls the corner of the mouth downward). When this occurs it is always temporary and usually resolves within three weeks.
- With the exception of possible bruising there is no downtime after your Ultherapy. You will be able to return to your normal daily routine and exercise program immediately after the procedure.