Ulthera vs. Facelift: What You Need to Know

A combination of the aging process, sun exposure, and certain lifestyle habits means that your skin will eventually lose some of its elasticity and begin to sag and wrinkle. Wrinkled, sagging skin can add years to your appearance and make you look tired, worried, or angry. Fortunately, there are multiple options available for minimizing sagging skin and wrinkles to turn back the clock, including Ulthera and facelift. Ulthera is non-surgical treatment, while the facelift is a popular cosmetic surgery. But which option is right for you? That depends on different factors, like your age, lifestyle, and goals.

The best way to make a decision is to learn more about the differences between Ulthera and a facelift, then weigh the pros and cons of each before deciding which one is the best match for you.

What is Ulthera?

Ulthera, sometimes known as Ultherapy, is a treatment that uses ultrasound energy to lift sagging skin and smooth out unwanted wrinkles. The treatment can be used on several different areas of the face, including the chin, neck, and brow. It’s also frequently used on the skin of the chest to smooth wrinkles.

Ulthera works by kickstarting the production of collagen beneath the surface of the skin. Collagen is a protein that provides support and structure to the skin. As you get older, your body produces less of it naturally, which can lead to an increase in skin laxity. When collagen production is stimulated, skin gradually becomes firmer and loses some of its wrinkles.

So far, Ulthera is the only non-surgical ultrasound treatment that’s approved by the FDA to rejuvenate sagging skin. It’s not necessarily a replacement for a facelift, but for the right patients, it can be an appropriate option.

What is a Facelift?

A facelift is a type of plastic surgery that’s designed to reduce the signs of aging in the lower portion of the face, including the jawline and chin. It treats sagging skin as well as deep creases and fatty deposits. A facelift can turn back the clock and make you look younger, but it can’t stop the aging process or keep new wrinkles from developing. Since a facelift focuses on the lower part of the face, some patients decide to combine it with a brow lift or eyelid lift to rejuvenate the entire face.

Ulthera vs. Facelift: What’s the Time Commitment?

One significant difference between a facelift and Ulthera is the amount of time needed for treatment. Usually, an Ulthera treatment takes less than one hour, depending on which areas are treated. You might only need a single treatment to get the results you want, but some people do decide to repeat the treatment annually to maintain their results.

A facelift takes considerably longer, lasting anywhere from four to six hours. You’ll also have to see your surgeon for a few follow-up appointments after the procedure to make sure everything is healing well.

Ulthera vs. Facelift: What Happens After Treatment?

Another significant difference between Ulthera and a facelift is the recovery required after each procedure. Since Ulthera is a non-surgical treatment, there’s very little downtime involved. You can go back to work or other activities right away and won’t have to skip your workouts. You might have some redness, swelling or bruising in the treatment area, but that usually diminishes after a few days. Your surgeon can recommend pain relievers for any discomfort and might recommend cold compresses to ease the redness and bruising.

Recovery after a facelift takes considerably longer. You’ll most likely need to take at least a week or two off from work or other daily activities. Once you’re cleared to go back to work, it can still be another few weeks before you resume exercise or strenuous activities. You’ll likely have swelling, bruising, some discomfort in the first few days after your surgery. Prescription medications are prescribed to keep patients comfortable during recovery, but it’s something to consider.

Ulthera vs. Facelift: What Are Results Like?

Ulthera and facelift don’t exactly provide the same results. While both are recommended for minimizing skin sagging and laxity, a facelift usually provides more dramatic results. There’s only so much Ulthera can do to lift the skin. If you have significant sagging, a facelift is likely to give you better results. Ulthera is often a better option for people who are just beginning to notice sagging and other signs of aging.

Both treatments provide long-lasting results. A facelift can take up to 10 years off of your appearance, meaning that you’ll continue to look more youthful even as you age. Ulthera can also provide long-lasting results and those results can be extended by repeating the treatment every year or so.

In Houston, Texas, Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique offers Ulthera treatment under the supervision of Dr. Paul Vitenas. To learn more about the non-surgical skin lifting treatment, call 281-810-9083 to schedule a consultation today.