If you are looking for a non-invasive treatment that can dramatically improve skin laxity, Ultherapy is one of our favorite treatments we offer at Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center in Cincinnati, OH. Our joy is to help our patients be happy and confident in their skin, and we use the latest technology available to do just that. Our office proudly serves the Cincinnati area and is here to help answer some of the questions you may have about this treatment.
How Long Do Ultherapy Results Last?
Immediate and Long Lasting Results
Ultherapy, which uses the Ulthera System, is a skin treatment we recommend to a variety of patients due to its non-invasive nature as well as its effectiveness. After treatment, most patients will notice an immediate tightening of the treated areas. For some patients, it may take a few days before they start noticing a positive change.
The beauty of this treatment, however, is that it continues to work and improve over time. Patients can expect maximum results right around four to six months after their initial treatment or treatments.
How Many Initial Treatments Will I Need?
Many patients will come in for another treatment a few weeks or months after their first treatment to boost the great results they’re seeing. The Ulthera System is extremely consistent; we always expect great results when we give this treatment. We love how excited our patients are when they come in and tell us how their friends are asking what they’ve changed in their skincare routine, or what they’ve done to improve their skin tone.
Some patients get exactly the results they wanted with just one treatment. They then are able to wait four to six months, or potentially longer, until they feel a need to come in again. For others, it may take a couple of initial treatments to get a good foundation of what they want their results to look like before we move on to scheduling less frequent maintenance treatments.
How Often Will You Need Repeated Treatments?
Your results could continue to improve up to that six-month point. If you find after six months that you are seeing some previously improved skin laxity returning, it may be time to consider a follow-up treatment. Some patients choose to go longer between treatments. There are several factors that can affect how long a treatment may last for an individual case.
What Factors Into How Long Treatment Lasts?
Since skin continues to lose its elasticity over time, more senior patients may be better able to maintain the results they’re looking for with more frequent treatments. This may also be true for patients hoping to improve sagging skin along their jawline and neck.
How long your skin can hold onto the benefits of treatment is something that can be very individual. While age and overall skin health do play a role, it may be something that you’ll have to judge for yourself when the initial treatments are done. If you have concerns about signs of returning laxity or want to nail down a more specific time frame, we would be happy to work with you to set up the perfect schedule.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Treatment?
Due to its ability to treat a wide variety of patients, this treatment very rarely fails. Before treatment, we will consult with you to go over your goals and any concerns you have. We will discuss what to expect from the treatment and whether or not this treatment should provide the results you’re looking for.
Benefits for Younger Patients
The 30s is when facial skin usually starts to lose some of its elasticity and fullness. You may notice your brow line beginning to lower, or the skin around your eyelids may begin to slightly sag. Some patients may schedule their first treatment right around this time to help their skin age gracefully.
When you start treatment in your early 30s, right when you begin to notice these starting signs of skin laxity, this treatment can help reverse some of those signs and potentially delay further signs of aging down the road. For younger patients, we recommend coming in every year or so to help maintain the firmness of your skin tone and underlying tissue.
Benefits for Older Patients
We love how pleasantly surprised so many of our senior patients are when they get to enjoy such dramatic results from a non-invasive treatment option. The smoothing and lifting effect can help shave years off of the treated areas, while the increased collagen production can help reinvigorate a youthful and healthy glow to the skin.
At any age, this treatment can help correct loose skin, so you can enjoy a more radiant and healthy-looking skin tone. Anyone who wants to address mild to moderate skin laxity, or who wants to delay the signs of aging altogether, may find this treatment can offer them what they’re looking for.
How Does It Compare to Other Treatments?
Compared to Lasers
During laser treatment, the heat produced can help stimulate the dermis to make more collagen. Collagen and elastin are two key proteins that help our skin maintain its youthful fullness and structure. Since our bodies produce less of these proteins as we age, any treatment that can stimulate our bodies to pick production back up can certainly be helpful in combating signs of aging.
We have personally found that lasers are great for more superficial improvement of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as correcting some pigmentation concerns. What lasers may not be as good for is providing the “facelift” effect you can get from the Ulthera System.
Compared to Injections
Injections such as dermal fillers can be a useful tool when it comes to correcting skin laxity. However, some patients prefer not to receive any injections. For those patients, having an alternative available that doesn’t involve any needles can help them feel more comfortable about their treatment.
When it comes to comparing timelines, results from Botox usually last about three to four months. Results from Ultherapy may, on the other hand, last up to six months. Both treatments have merit and can be used for different concerns. In fact, some patients may choose to combine multiple treatments together for even stronger results.
A Facelift Without the Surgery
During a surgical facelift, the skin is physically lifted and the underlying tissue is sutured into place. Surgery can be an effective way to combat signs of aging, there’s no arguing with that. However, surgery isn’t a good fit for everyone. There are multiple reasons why patients seek out non-surgical and less invasive treatments. It could be they’re not mentally ready for it, don’t want to put themselves through the long recovery period, or can’t afford it.
The Ulthera System can target the same tissue that is sutured during facelift surgery. This unique ability isn’t always seen with other non-invasive cosmetic treatments. The fact that it combines this ability with the stimulation of collagen and elastin is one reason why dramatic “before and after” results are the norm when it comes to this treatment option.
What To Expect During Treatment
The first thing we’ll do is cleanse the skin that you’ve chosen to receive treatment. After that, we’ll apply an ultrasound gel and be able to start your treatment session. You may feel a gentle, warm sensation. This is the ultrasound energy delivering heat deep into the layers of your skin. This sensation has been compared to a hot stone massage by many of our patients. You may actually find it relaxing.
Your treatment will last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes on average. How long it takes will depend on what areas are receiving treatment. After treatment is done, you will immediately be ready to go. There will be no need for any rest or recovery period, so you can get right back to your daily plans.
Treatment FAQ
1. Is It Safe?
There are no known side effects or damage to surrounding tissues attributed to this treatment. The Ulthera System has been cleared by the FDA, and had to prove its safety by means of studies and demonstrations. It is used around the world with great success. Since its success is primarily due to the stimulation of your body’s natural collagen production, it doesn’t require injections or cutting into the skin.
Ultrasound energy has been used in medicine for over 50 years and is used on an extremely regular basis. So, the technology that the Ultera System is based on is also considered very safe.
2. What Is Recovery Like?
The recovery time is nonexistent. You can walk in, receive treatment, and walk right back out. Something we like about this treatment is you don’t have to worry too much about planning around it. If you have somewhere you want to go after treatment, you won’t have to worry about hiding your face.
You should be able to comfortably return to work or go to a social event right after treatment, and your friends and coworkers should be none the wiser.
3. What Areas Can Be Treated?
Patients will most commonly ask us to treat the lower face. However, this treatment is extremely versatile and can be used in multiple areas of the body, which can include:
- The whole face
- The jowls
- The neck and cheeks
- Around the eyes
- On or around the lips
- Arms and elbows
- Around the knees
- The stomach area
- The buttocks
- The thighs
When it’s used around the eyes, it has a wonderful lifting effect on the eyebrows that can help open up your entire upper face. When it’s used on the chest, it can address the lines that can appear between the breasts. This treatment covers a lot of concerns, which is what makes it such a great alternative to plastic surgery.
4. How Does It Work?
This treatment uses a focused ultrasound. It’s different than the ultrasound you would receive during pregnancy. This high-intensity energy ultrasound can penetrate multiple layers of skin and tissue. This sets it apart from other radiofrequency treatments that utilize heat. With those treatments, it is sometimes difficult to tell how deep the heat is actually penetrating.
With Ultherapy, there is an image displayed for us that shows us the different layers of your skin. This shows us exactly where the energy is going and how deep it’s reaching, so we can target the right areas.
Feel Confident About Your Skin Again
Our office would be happy to help you find the right treatment for your needs. If you would like to further explore how this treatment may help you reach your skin goals, reach out to Dermatology, Laser & Vein Center of Cincinnati, OH, today for a consultation. We take great pride in the quality of our care and the joy it brings to our patients. We look forward to helping you look and feel your best.
