What Is Ultherapy

Ultherapy is the only non-invasive cosmetic procedure FDA-cleared to lift skin on the neck, under the chin and on the eyebrows. It is now also FDA-cleared to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Ultherapy can help you achieve a fresher, more youthful look from your brow to your chest. This therapy harnesses the power of ultrasound to transform the brow, chin, neck and chest. Ultrasound, of course, has been used safely throughout the medical field for more than 50 years. In addition, every plastic surgeon receives extensive procedural training and has been established as safe and effective in clinical studies in over half a million treatments worldwide.

Ultherapy relies on ultrasound therapy to deliver its collagen-boosting treatment. It also incorporates traditional ultrasound imaging, which allows practitioners to see the layers of tissue they are treating, ensuring the treatment energy is delivered to where it will be most beneficial.

Unlike lasers, radio frequency, surgery and other technologies, Ultherapy bypasses the surface of the skin non-surgically. It delivers the right amount of ultrasound energy at the right depths and the right temperature. This energy triggers a natural response under the skin, jumpstarting the regenerative process that produces fresh, new collagen.

Ultherapy treats the deep foundational layer addressed in plastic surgery. However, it won't duplicate the results of a facelift. This type of therapy is a great alternative especially for those not ready for surgery or for patients looking to extend the effects of cosmetic surgery. It uses ultrasound, which is most commonly associated with OBGYNs but has other applications. Ultrasound has unique properties that allow it to bypass the surface of the skin to treat depths not matched by any other non-invasive cosmetic device. Ultherapy ultrasound stimulates collagen production in the skin's foundation, resulting in a clinically significant lift of tissue over two to three months. Lasers rely on light energy, which cannot reach deeper skin layers at an optimal temperature. Because of this, laser treatments typically only treat superficial skin and are not FDA-cleared to lift skin.

Before your treatment, the first thing you will want to do is schedule a one-on-one consultation with an plastic surgeon. A good candidate for this therapy has mild to moderate skin elasticity. The skin is beginning to feel and look less firm. Examples include a lowered eyebrow line, loose skin on the neck, sagging under the chin, and lines or wrinkles on the chest.

Of course, the best way to find out if you're an Ultherapy candidate is to consult with a plastic surgeon. During this session, your plastic surgeon will address your concerns, assess your skin and determine if you are a candidate for the treatment. Once you book your procedure, you won’t need to follow any special preparations or skincare regimens in advance of the treatment. To enhance your comfort, your plastic surgeon may recommend that you take an over-the-counter or prescribed medication before the treatment.

After cleansing the skin and identifying the specific areas to be treated, your plastic surgeon will apply the ultrasound gel and place the smooth treatment applicator against your skin. Next, your plastic surgeon will use Ultherapy’s ultrasound imaging to first see deep within the skin to determine optimal placement of the treatment energy, and then deliver the focused ultrasound energy beneath the skin’s surface. During the treatment delivery, you will feel tiny amounts of energy being deposited to precise depths, indicating that the collagen-building process has been initiated.

After the treatment, some patients see an initial effect right after their treatment, but the real results appear over two to three months as new collagen works to lift and tighten skin on the treated areas. Your skin might appear flushed at first. However, the redness should disappear within a few hours. Some patients experience slight swelling, tingling or tenderness to the touch. These are mild and temporary in nature. Most patients only need one treatment. However, based on the degree of skin elasticity, the biological response to ultrasound energy and the individual's collagen-building process, some patients benefit from additional treatments. Since your skin continues to age, future touch-up treatments can help patients keep pace with the body's natural aging process.

While Ultherapy won’t duplicate the results of a facelift, it’s a clinically proven non-invasive alternative for those not ready for surgery. It  can even be an option for patients who wish to extend the effects of plastic surgery. Since the procedure stimulates your own collagen production, how long the results last really depends on you and your body. The treatment produces new collagen on the inside, but your natural aging process will dictate how long that translates into visible results on the outside.

After your treatment, there is no downtime! You can return to your normal activities immediately after your procedure without any post-treatment restrictions or requirements.

The cost of an Ultherapy treatment can range depending upon the area being treated and factors such as geographic location and individual physician practices. Since the treatment is so personalized, to get the most accurate price quote, it is best to speak with a nearby plastic surgeon. If you are in the San Antonio, Texas area, consider visiting Dr. Suresh Koneru, a board-certified plastic surgeon at Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery.