Skin laxity from the natural aging process can make fine lines and wrinkles appear much more severe. While your collagen-boosting skincare products can temporarily lift your skin, most people are looking for longer-lasting results. Some patients may opt for surgical techniques such as a classic facelift, but others may prefer a non-invasive treatment. At Sule Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic in Dallas, TX, we know that Ultherapy® is an ideal anti-aging option for most patients.
How Quickly Does Ultherapy® Start Working?
Most people are amazed by the power of this non-invasive ultrasound therapy device, which can produce results immediately after only a single treatment. After your first treatment, you will notice that your skin feels tighter and looks visibly younger or more radiant. These initial results will gradually improve as more collagen is produced in your skin, which will restore the texture of your skin and even benefit your complexion.
However, while this powerful treatment device can improve the appearance of your skin after one session, you will likely need multiple treatments to achieve your desired results. Your early results will start to peak about two to three months after your first treatment, and these results will continue to improve for about six months after your final session.
How Many Sessions Will You Need?
To estimate the number of treatments you will need to achieve your desired results, the current condition of your skin is an important factor to consider. For people who have mild to moderate concerns, a few treatments spaced several weeks apart can drastically improve the texture of the skin. For severe wrinkles, fine lines, and skin laxity, more than three treatments may be necessary to reach your aesthetic goals.
A skin analysis during your consultation can be used to estimate the number of sessions you will need. If you want to treat multiple areas of the body or if your skin laxity is particularly advanced, you may need to build a long-term treatment plan to improve your skin condition.
How Can You Maximize Your Results?
You can maximize your results in a few ways. First, you should attend all of your follow-up appointments so you can maintain your desired results. Most of the time, your maintenance appointments will be scheduled once a year, although some people may need to have touch-up appointments more regularly. Other ways you can maximize your results include:
Customize Your Skincare Routine
You can work with your dermatologist to customize your skincare routine. When each step of your skincare routine is designed to improve cellular turnover and collagen production, you will be able to enjoy younger-looking skin for longer periods. The cleansers, essences, toners, and moisturizers you use should all contain active ingredients that nourish your skin. Your dermatologist may also prescribe prescription-strength active products, such as retinol.
Use Sunscreen Consistently
Damage from UV rays is one of the biggest factors that contributes to premature skin aging. UV rays are especially damaging to collagen and elastin in the skin, which means that unprotected sun exposure can undo the results of your Ultherapy® treatments. If you want your results to last for a year or longer, you will need to use sunscreen consistently as part of your skincare routine.
Some people make the mistake of only using sunscreen when it’s sunny outside, or they plan to spend several hours outdoors. However, not only should you reapply sunscreen when you are spending time outside, but you should also wear sunscreen even on cloudy days. Windows are also not built with very strong UV protection, so sitting near a window also means you should wear sunscreen to protect your skin.
Add Other Cosmetic Treatments
You may also want to consider adding other cosmetic treatments to your skincare plan, particularly if you have skin concerns that can’t be addressed by ultrasound therapy. Issues such as dark spots, sun damage, acne scars, and other forms of hyperpigmentation typically don’t improve drastically unless you use a skin resurfacing treatment such as LED therapy, laser therapy, or chemical peels.
Likewise, skin concerns related to dynamic wrinkles may also not improve with this treatment. Collagen-boosting treatments are ideal for increasing skin volume, which can reduce the appearance of static wrinkles. However, dynamic wrinkles caused by facial expressions on areas of the face where there is low skin volume may only be resolved by neurotoxin injectables.
How Does This Treatment Work?
This treatment works by using the powerful, yet skin-friendly power of ultrasound energy. Ultrasound energy has been used for decades to see beneath the skin surface in medicine; as part of an aesthetic treatment, this same energy can be used to stimulate collagen and elastin production. This is because ultrasound technology generates a thermal energy that boosts natural collagen and elastin within the skin. As collagen increases, visible signs of aging wane.
What Can You Expect During Your Treatment?
This treatment is non-invasive, which means your skin will not be ablated or penetrated as part of the treatment. For people who are used to laser treatments, this can be a huge benefit since this treatment is gentler on the skin. The ultrasound technology is delivered to the skin with a handheld device, which will feel warm against the skin surface while the device is in use.
Usually, your appointments will take about 30 minutes. However, your treatment session may take longer if you are treating multiple areas of the body or if you are combining your treatment with another aesthetic treatment. Touch-up appointments will also take about 30 to 60 minutes to complete.
Where Can You Use This Treatment?
Ultherapy® is a unique treatment that can be used on virtually every area of your body where there is pronounced skin laxity caused by collagen and elastin depletion. Sagging skin can occur in most areas of the body as a result of the natural aging process, which means this treatment can be used to effectively tighten all of your skin. Some of the most common areas of treatment include:
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Neck
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Collarbone
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Upper chest
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Stomach
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Knees
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Thighs
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Buttocks
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Arms
On the face, this treatment is delicate enough to address age-related concerns in areas where the skin is especially thin or sensitive. These areas can include the eyes and brows, as well as the upper face. Many people use this treatment to address skin laxity and wrinkles on the cheeks and chin, as well as wrinkles that may develop around the mouth.
How Should You Prepare for Treatment?
Like many other energy-based treatments, you will need to be careful about the medications and supplements you are taking about a week before your treatment. You should avoid consuming any products that have blood-thinning side effects, including NSAIDs, aspirin, and many herbal supplements. You should also stop using AHAs, BHAs, and retinol before your treatment and shave your desired treatment locations before your treatment.
What Are Your Aftercare Instructions?
While there is no downtime associated with this treatment, there are a few aftercare instructions you should follow if you want your results to develop optimally. You should continue to avoid irritating skincare products for at least three days after your treatment and focus on soothing your skin with cool water, non-foaming cleansers, and nutrient-rich moisturizers.
You will need to avoid unprotected sun exposure and other activities like suntanning for at least two weeks after your treatment. Hot water, hot tubs, and chlorine should all be avoided for several days until your skin has adjusted after the treatment.
Is This Treatment Right for You?
This treatment is generally a good match for most people, regardless of skin type or skin tone. Most patients who use this treatment are between the ages of 40s and 50s. You are likely eligible for this treatment if you have healthy skin and if you are not pregnant. You may not be able to use this treatment if you are taking certain medications.
Enjoy Your Desired Results Quickly With Ultherapy®
If you want to duplicate the effects of a facelift without undergoing cosmetic surgery, then a treatment such as Ultherapy® may be an ideal option for you. This treatment uses thermal ultrasound energy to stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin in the deepest dermal layers of the skin to improve the tightness and texture of your skin. If you want to try this treatment, get in touch with Sule Facial Plastic Surgery Clinic in Dallas, TX to schedule your first appointment today.