Radiant, glowing, and beautiful, the skin of the youth is often wasted on the young. And while we grow wiser as we grow older, our body can often show signs of that wisdom through wrinkles, sagging, and looseness. There are several different methods to get that youthful look back, but if you’re looking for a surgery or treatment that is non-invasive, then Salas Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL has the answer for you: ultherapy.
Ultherapy is a new and innovative way to get back that skin you loved during your youthful years, while not having to undergo anything drastic or heavy-duty as far as treatments go. As the only FDA-approved treatment of its kind, this method to youthful, glowing skin is the perfect solution between plastic surgery and simple facial treatments, such as chemical peels and scrubs. Let’s dive into the details of this unique treatment to find out if it’s right for you.
What Is Ultherapy?
Also known as Ulthera, this treatment uses ultrasound waves to trigger your skin’s natural ability to tighten and lift. The ultrasound waves penetrate deep into the skin’s layers and cause the proteins there to produce more rapidly. This is your skin’s natural healing response, which then creates tightening and lifting on the surface.
Ulthera can be used on its own to stop aging in its tracks or it can be combined with another type of treatment to create a youthful look and regain your confidence in your own skin. Whether you have years of wrinkles that you want to correct or if you’re just starting to notice the march of time in your appearance, this treatment is perfect for those looking for a quick and painless way to get back that youthful glow.
How It Works
The ultrasound waves used during an ultherapy treatment are different from the ones used during pregnancy, for example. The ultrasound machine used during a pregnancy exam emits much lighter waves that are less concentrated, making it safe for mother and baby. In contrast, the ultrasound machine used during this skin-lifting treatment has a much more concentrated wave emission. These waves generate a safe heat that can penetrate deep into the dermis – or the middle layer of your skin – and cause protein production.
Because the ultrasound waves are more concentrated in this treatment, the dermatologist can pinpoint the problem areas in the dermis and create a reaction in that specific location. The method is completely safe and is the only method of its kind that is FDA-approved.
The Proteins Your Skin Needs
Your skin has three layers. The surface, known as the epidermis, is the layer that can be seen. The middle layer is called the dermis, where sweat glands, nerves, and pores begin. This is also the layer that produces proteins and oils for your skin. The last layer is called the hypodermis, which stores fatty tissues. Ulthera focuses on the dermis during treatment, which is the layer that is the most comprehensive and does a lot for your skin’s overall health.
When the ultrasound waves create heat in the dermis, this triggers a natural reaction from your body. The two proteins that contribute to skin tightness and elasticity are called collagen and elastin. These two proteins work together in the dermis to hold your skin and organs in place, causing your skin to be tight and smooth. This treatment simply causes the skin to react in a healing process that will produce more of these proteins.
What to Expect From the Treatment
Because this method is using your body’s natural healing process to transform the outer appearance of your skin, the best results are seen within three to six months after the treatment. During your visit to the dermatologist, you’ll discuss the exact areas where you want to see improvement, and your doctor will develop a plan for the specific areas that will receive the ultrasound waves, and what intensity will be used to produce heat there.
The treatment is using your body’s natural processes to retighten sagging or wrinkled skin. This means that you’ll only need one treatment session that will then last you for months afterwards as your skin produces the necessary proteins to tighten and smooth your appearance. Many patients choose to have the treatment once each year to keep on top of their problem areas, but there are patients that can go as long as two to three years between treatments.
Where Can I Use the Treatment?
When most people hear the terms “wrinkles,” “sagging,” or “skin-tightening,” they automatically think about the face, as most treatments do focus on the face. Ultherapy is safe to use anywhere on the face and is often used for treatment in this area. But because this method is using the body’s natural ability to retighten the skin, the treatment can be used anywhere!
Any place on the body that you are experiencing sagging skin is safe to be treated with this unique therapy. A few examples of areas of the body that can be treated include:
- Eyelids
- Under the eyes
- Cheekbones
- Forehead
- Jawline
- Chin
- Neck
- Chest
- Underarms
- Knees
The list goes on. Your body naturally produces collagen and elastin in all your skin, so the ultrasound waves can trigger the natural healing process anywhere that you require treatment. Don’t feel like you need to be limited to just your facial features when it comes to getting back that youthful look. Many patients use the treatment under their arms where there is sagging and just below their collarbone where wrinkles often begin to appear.
Am I the Right Candidate for the Treatment?
The best candidates for ultherapy are those that are starting to notice some sagging, wrinkling, or looseness in their skin. This typically happens around the age of 30 to 40, when most patients benefit greatly from this type of preventative and correcting treatment. However, Ulthera has no age limit, which means anyone younger can also receive treatment to stay on top of their skin’s tightness and prevent sagging or looseness in the future.
Likewise, anyone that is older and experiencing more sagging and wrinkles can also benefit from this treatment. The changes you will see in your skin won’t be as drastic as a facelift, but you will notice changes that will lift years off your face. This is a great option for those hoping to take a smaller step in their appearance without undergoing any surgeries.
The best part about this method of treatment is that it has no downtime. You can easily get it done as one of your errands during the day, and make plans for something else right after. This is great for anyone with a busy schedule or who is on the go most of the time.
Looking for a Dramatic Change
If, however, you are interested in seeing dramatic results in your face and skin, then using this treatment alone might not be the best solution for you. Your dermatologist can help you decide if using this method, combined with another type of treatment, will create the best results for your appearance. Ulthera isn’t as drastic as other treatment options, but it can lift off several years from your appearance in a natural, painless way.
Are There Any Risk Factors I Should Know About?
This treatment is unique and highly recommended because it doesn’t produce any allergic reactions or risks. The use of ultrasound waves is a non-invasive way to help your body do what it was naturally made to do. The treatment simply helps your body to produce the proteins that it already can.
No chemicals, injections, or medications are used during this process. The treatment is safe for patients of any age. Be sure to talk with your dermatologists about any doubts you might have.
What to Expect for Your Appointment
Starting your ultherapy journey is a two-appointment process with no downtime to worry about. If your dermatologist is available, you can even have the two appointments together, so that you are in and out of the office in just one day. And because the treatment lasts for several months, you won’t have to come back for at least a year.
Before the Treatment
During your first consultation, your dermatologist will work with you to decide what results you would like to see and the best treatment options to make these results a reality. He might use an ultrasound machine that emits light waves for picture purposes.
With this, he can map out the deeper layers of your skin and create a thorough treatment plan. This is the time to discuss any concerns you have about the treatment.
During the Treatment
There is no preparation that you need to do before the treatment. Just show up at the office on the day you are scheduled, and you’ll be perfectly ready to go. Your dermatologist will cleanse your skin before starting, and he might shave away any thicker hair in the area if necessary.
He will then apply an ultrasound gel, and use the machine to emit the ultrasound waves into the skin. Depending on the size of the area that you are having treated, the process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour.
After the Treatment
Once the treatment is finished, you’re free to go! There is no downtime with ultherapy and no after-treatment care that you will need to do. Feel free to schedule other activities for right after your session, as well.
The area might be slightly red just after the treatment, but it will go away quickly as the skin begins its healing process. We highly suggest that you use sunscreen daily to protect your skin from direct sun exposure.
Results of the Treatment
Don’t expect to see results immediately after leaving the office. The skin needs time to produce collagen and elastin, which means the best time to see results is about three to six months after treatment. During this time, be sure to use sunscreen and avoid any direct sunlight exposure. This will help you to see results faster and to keep your skin looking younger. Sunlight is a damaging factor to your skin and one of the reasons that wrinkles and sagging appear.
To make your results last as long as possible, there are some other ways to take care of your skin besides sunscreen and avoiding direct sun exposure. Smoking can increase the aging process in your skin and can cause wrinkles around your mouth. Likewise, we suggest wearing sunglasses whenever you are outdoors or driving to reduce the wrinkles around your eyes.
Ready to Get Started?
Your youthful look is waiting for you, and with such an easy and quick solution, there’s no reason to make it wait any longer. Contact Salas Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL today to schedule your preliminary consultation with our dermatologist to see if ultherapy is right for you.
