5 Myths About Ultherapy Skin Lifting Treatment

by Andy Cheng Director

It is very likely that you would have come across "Ultherapy" if you have spent some time finding out more about skin lifting treatments in Singapore. For those unaware of what Ultherapy is, it is a non-surgical skin lifting treatment that is used to treat skin laxity.

Just like any other cosmetic treatments, rumours and untruths fill the internet, distorting the truths about what these treatments can do and their side effects. Hopefully this post will help to clear the air and dispel any myths associated with Ultherapy.

We sat down with Dr. Siew Tuck Wah, Medical Director of Radium Medical Aesthetics to discuss the truths and myths surrounding Ultherapy.

To start off, we asked Dr. Siew to establish some important facts about Ultherapy:

It is a non-invasive treatment that does not require cutting of the skin.
Downtime is minimal since it is a non-invasive treatment. Mild skin redness can be expected but it should subside within a few hours.
Ultherapy is the only non-invasive procedure that is FDA-cleared to lift and tighten the neck, chin, and brow, and improve lines and wrinkles on the chest.
Ultherapy works by stimulating the natural collagen production in the body to lift and tighten the skin.

Myth 1: Ultherapy is a replacement for surgical facelift

Ultherapy treats the same foundational layer of the skin as a surgical facelift. However, it does not duplicate the results of a surgical facelift.

Ultherapy stimulates the natural collagen production in the skin tissue at the various layers of the skin. On the other hand, a facelift surgery takes a more aggressive approach by lifting and tightening the underlying muscles of the face to create a more aesthetically pleasing contours. Excess fat and skin will be removed during the surgery.

Ultherapy is often recommended for people with mild to moderate skin laxity. It is also effective to maintain skin firmness for people who have undergone surgical facelift before.

Myth 2: Ultherapy is extremely painful

When Ultherapy was first introduced, treatments were often painful because doctors were not familiar with the treatment protocol. Clients provided feedback that they felt a burning sensation during the procedure.

Over time, experienced doctors devised new, improved methods to perform the treatment with minimal pain. With the improved way of administering Ultherapy, the collagen-building process gets better with lower frequency and incidence of pain.

Your doctor will give you various options to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. Some options include administering local anesthesia, nerve block, or sedation.

Myth 3: Multiple sessions are required to see visible results

Ultherapy is a treatment that can be done once a year. There is no need to repeat the treatment regularly. The result depends on the degree of your skin laxity and how the body reacts to the high intensity focused ultrasound treatment.

Our skin continues to undergo natural process of aging, therefore future touch up treatments can help to maintain or even prolong the longevity of the skin lifting result.

Myth 4: Ultherapy does not have a long-lasting skin lifting effect

Unlike dermal filler treatment, Ultherapy typically takes several weeks to fully develop as it induces the body to produce collagen naturally. Most people often see the full benefits after 2 to 3 months.

Ultherapy usually lasts for about 18 to 24 months. Just like derma filler treatment, the more you repeat the treatment, the longer the results will last.

Myth 5: Ultherapy is not as affordable as a surgical facelift

You can expect to pay about S$10,000 to S$20,000 for a surgical facelift, depending on who you go to and how extensive the treatment is.

An Ultherapy treatment for the face can range between S$2,000 and S$4,500.

Although a surgical facelift can last for a longer time, it cannot stop the natural aging process and your face will continue to age. This means that a touch up or a repeat may be required to sustain the result.

The affordability of both treatments can be a contentious one because it depends on several factors including your body’s natural response to the respective treatments and the doctor’s skills.

At some clinics, doctors may combine Ultherapy with thread lift treatment such as Silhouette Soft Thread Lift to enhance the skin lifting result.