Not all non-surgical, anti-aging treatments are the same. Ulthera lift, or Ultherapy, for example, is considerably different from injections or laser treatments. Knowing how it’s different, what it does, and what you can expect can help you see if Ultherapy is the right option for you.
Ulthera Lift Tightens Skin
One of the big differences between the Ulthera Lift and other non-surgical treatments is that Ultherapy actually tightens the skin. In fact, it’s one of the only non-surgical treatments that does so. Other non-surgical treatments typically focus on reducing wrinkles or improving the texture or tone of the skin.
That means that for many people, the Ulthera Lift is a less invasive, more affordable alternative to a facelift. Ultherapy is FDA approved to treat loose skin in three areas of the face: the brow, the neck, and just beneath the chin. The treatment also helps to tighten skin and minimize wrinkles on the décolletage.
Although the treatment does tighten the skin, it’s worth noting that it’s not an absolute replacement for a facelift. The Ulthera Lift is often recommended to people who are just beginning to have some sagging or looseness in their skin. It’s also an ideal option if you’ve already had a facelift and want to prolong the results of your surgery.
It’s Not an Injection
You don’t have to worry about needles if you’re considering Ultherapy. That’s because it’s not an injection. Instead of directing a filler like Juvederm or a toxin like Botox to a specific area to reduce certain wrinkles, the person performing Ultherapy directs ultrasound energy to the appropriate areas of the face. There’s no need for needles, as the ultrasound waves are able to penetrate through the surface of the skin on their own.
It Uses Sound, Not Light
Ultherapy is also considerably different from laser skin resurfacing treatments, such as Fraxel. While Fraxel and other lasers depend on the energy produced by light,the Ulthera Lift relies on sound energy to work. The ultrasound energy works in two ways. First, it allows the person performing the treatment to see beneath the upper layer of skin. The imaging allows the practitioner to best position the Ultherapy treatment, so that the areas of the face that need treatment most get it.
The sound energy also works to stimulate the collagen deep in the skin. It’s collagen that plays a big role in keeping the skin from becoming loose and sagging. During a Ultherapy treatment, the ultrasound energy is at the perfect temperature for stimulating collagen. Thanks to a process called neocollagenesis, the dermis begins to produce more collagen, allowing it to provide better support and structure to the skin.
Another benefit of using sound energy over light energy to stimulate collagen is that the ultrasound energy doesn’t damage the outer layer of skin. Traditional laser treatments often completely destroyed the outer layer of skin. That meant a long recovery time, as a person waited for his or her skin to scab over and heal. It also meant more discomfort, both during and after treatment.
Ultherapy is typically considered a fairly comfortable treatment. It really boils down to a person’s pain tolerance level, but many people find that there’s just a slight tingling sensation during treatment. That’s in comparison to the discomfort created by lasers or the slight pinch created by injectables.
There Are Some Similarities
The Ulthera Lift does have some things in common with other non-surgical cosmetic treatments. Like laser skin resurfacing or even Botox, final results aren’t immediately visible. You might see some improvement right after treatment, but for the most part, you can expect to see your final results within a few months.
The recovery period is also similar between Ultherapy and other non-invasive treatments. You won’t need to request time off from work or stop doing your usual activities for a week or a few days after Ulthera. Many people are able to jump back into their daily lives right after treatment, even going back to work or the gym right away. While you’re able to go back to work right after a treatment with an injectable, you’re usually asked to wait for a few days before you start exercising. Many types of laser treatments have a longer recovery time, in some cases a week or longer.
Actual treatment time is also relatively short in the case of Ulthera. It depends on what area you’re treating, but you can typically expect to be in and out of treatment within 30 to 90 minutes.
One last thing that’s worth noting: You don’t have to have the Ulthera Lift on its own. In fact, depending on your specific anti-aging concerns, you might get the most out of it if you combine the treatment with another procedure. For example, you might try Ultherapy on the chin or neck combined with fillers around the mouth and nose, or Ultherapy combined with a laser treatment to refine your pores or minimize age spots.
If you want more information about Ultherapy and other non-surgical anti-aging treatments, the staff at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique, in Houston, Texas, is happy to provide it. Every procedure at Mirror Mirror is monitored by Dr. Paul Vitenas, one of the top plastic surgeons in Houston. To schedule a consultation, call (281) 810-9083 today.