What Is Ultherapy?

Somewhere in our mid-30s or early 40s, we look in the mirror one day and realize our skin looks different than it used to. Over time, skin loses elasticity and collagen, causing the telltale sagging and loose skin that signifies aging. Jawlines loosen, cheeks begin to fall, eyebrows and eyelids droop, and chins start to look weaker than they are. Time and gravity can be cruel, and this loose skin is one of the principal complaints dermatologists see. Yet even those who are most bothered by the touch of time and gravity on their skin are often hesitant to sign up to get poked by needles, injected with fillers and neurotoxins, or go under the knife, fearing the unnatural results and complications that can come with these procedures. So, is there an option that doesn’t require these kinds of invasive treatments?

There is indeed. Ultherapy is a non-surgical procedure using ultrasound technology to lift and tighten skin. As Dr. Lancer is a proponent of non-invasive procedures, the surgery averse and needle phobic can rejoice in the knowledge that there are no neurotoxins, no needles, and no cuts of any kind involved with this treatment. In fact, it’s the only treatment cleared by the FDA to dramatically lift skin without requiring anything invasive at all. The ultrasound energy used by Ulthera reaches deep into the tissue beneath your skin to stimulate the production of natural connective proteins. The results are natural because they come from your skin’s naturally occurring regenerative process. It’s your skin, but upgraded.

How Does Ulthera Work?

Unlike lasers or injectables, Ultherapy circumvents the surface of the skin entirely, using ultrasound energy to delve deep into the tissue at the right depth and the right temperature to safely stimulate the skin’s natural healing process. Because Ultherapy is an ultrasound procedure, specialists are able to use ultrasound imaging to see the layers of tissue being treated and pinpoint the ideal location for focused treatment and the best possible results. In just one treatment, this technology naturally smooths and lifts your skin, counteracting the signs of aging on your face, neck and décolleté over two to three months.

Ulthera treatments are concentrated and efficient, for maximum results in minimal time. Rather than having to treat your entire face to see the results in one area, you can specifically target your double chin and sagging brow. Of course, you can still go for gold and treat your entire face, but it’s not required for great results. Patients generally only need one treatment for successful results, but many patients opt for additional touch-up treatments down the road as time marches on and skin continues to age.

What to Expect from Ultherapy

If you’re considering Ultherapy to naturally lift your skin, make an appointment with a trusted dermatologist for an initial consultation. Talk to your dermatologist about areas of your skin you’d like to see improved and be clear about the results you want to see from Ultherapy. Whether you’re hoping for a chest free of the lines left by a lifetime of side-sleeping or a jawline without jowls, being open and honest with your doctor is important for assessing the potential success of the treatment. If your dermatologist feels you’re a good candidate for Ultherapy, there are no preparations required—just another benefit of a non-invasive treatment.

When you arrive for your Ultherapy treatment, you’ll likely be given something for pain management as some patients experience varying discomfort as the ultrasound deposits energy inside the tissue. Your skin will be cleansed and each area receiving treatment will be marked and identified. Then, ultrasound gel will be applied to your face before the Ulthera wand is placed on your skin. Your specialist will begin by using only the ultrasound imaging to identify the ideal depth and location for the treatment energy to target. At this point, the treatment itself has not yet started and you’ll be feeling quite comfortable. Once the energy deposits begin, you may feel what has been described as shocks or zaps as each deposit is made. The sensation will vary depending on the treatment area and the depth of the energy deposited. Treatments take between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the size and location of the treatment area.

After your Ultherapy treatment, you may experience some flushing or mild swelling, tingling, sensitivity, or bruising, all of which should recede relatively quickly. There is almost no downtime with this treatment—none if you’re comfortable going to the office or the grocery store with a slightly swollen jawline—so you’ll be back to your life and regular activities right away.

See the Results of Ulthera on Your Skin

Some patients see some immediate lifted results in the first few days after the treatment, with full results continuing to become evident over the next eight to 12 weeks. By the third month, most patients are experiencing a noticeable youthful boost in their skin and getting compliments on their refreshed appearance. Skin looks tighter and lifted, as though the clock has been turned back a few years.

If you’ve gone from “What is Ultherapy?” to “I need it now!” find a skilled medical practitioner experienced with Ulthera to receive your treatment. A knowledgeable dermatologist with an established practice—like Dr. Harold Lancer and the renowned Lancer Dermatology Clinic—can be trusted to understand how skin and muscle tissue work together, as well as fully understanding your body’s natural regenerative processes. Only an expert can ensure you get the best possible results for your skin with Ulthera. You can enjoy naturally lifted skin without an invasive procedure. Stop the clock and give your skin a lift with Ultherapy.