Ultherapy: How Does It Work?

by Andy Cheng Director

One of the most desirable qualities of younger, healthier-looking skin is its ability to return to its previous state after being stretched. Conversely, older skin becomes drier and tougher and lose skin tone and elasticity. When stretched, it is no longer able to return to the original state.

Why Does Our Skin Sag?

Like it or not, aging affects everyone of us. As we age, our skin cells increase in size and reduce in number. What this means is that our skin becomes less dense with our cells, causing our skin to become thinner and more brittle. Our skin loses mass and density over time.

With the decreased cell activity and elasticity, the connective tissue also loses strength. Our constant exposure to the sun and extreme weather conditions accelerate the aging process by breaking down the skin tissue.

In addition to the natural biological changes in our body, the law of gravity also causes our skin to sag, forming folds and lines. As we grow older, our skin loses collagen and elastin, causing our skin to become droopy and facial muscles weaken due to the lack of connective tissue.

Ulthera: Non-Invasive Skin Lifting Treatment

We all know that the only way to delay aging is to increase our collagen levels in our skin. Collagen is an essential component when it comes to retaining your youth and keeping your skin from looking supple, firm, and wrinkle-free.

Also known as the ‘Lunchtime Lift’, Ulthera Skin Lifting is the new standard for non-invasive anti-aging treatment. While it may not be able to provide the full benefits of a surgical facelift, it is certainly as close as you can get to getting a facelift without going under the knife.

Ultherapy is the only FDA-cleared, non-invasive procedure that lifts and tightens the neck, chin, brow, and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the chest.

Alternatively, a generic ultrasound therapy is also available which uses almost identical technology for skin lifting called HIFU Skin Lifting.

How Does Ultherapy Work?

When doctors perform a surgical facelift, they usually make skin incision to reach the Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System (SMAS) layer. They will then trim and tighten the SMAS layer to provide a lifting effect.

Using medical-grade high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), Ultherapy targets the SMAS to allow the deeper layers of the skin to induce contraction and produce collagen for anti-aging effects – without having to break any skin.

It produces skin contraction to lift the skin by stimulating collagen production.

Similar to other ultrasound treatments, an applicator will be placed on the skin. A real-time imaging system allows the doctor to determine what layer of the skin they are treating for maximal beneficial lifting outcome.

The ultrasound energy gets transmitted to the SMAS layer while leaving the surface of the skin unharmed.

Does Ultherapy Have Any Downtime?

As Ulthera Skin Lifting treatment is non-invasive in nature, the downtime is minimal. The patient may experience some mild redness and the face may appear flushed immediately after the treatment, but it should subside very quickly – usually within the same day.

The regenerative process begins as soon as the treatment is over. Bearing in mind that this is a non-invasive treatment, immediate lifting may not be visible. The full effect of the treatment will take about 2-3 months because it takes time for collagen to produce in your body.

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Ulthera Skin Lifting?

Ulthera Skin Lifting treatment is suitable for people who are risk averse and are unwilling to undergo a surgery for a cosmetic procedure.

Although results may vary, people have reported experiencing tighter, firmer skin, higher brow and more lifted eyes. They have also reported that the skin texture and elasticity have improved.

“Unlike dermal filler treatments, Ulthera Skin Lifting is a convenient anti-aging treatment suitable for people who not only want to lift sagging skin. Younger people who are keen to delay or prevent onset on aging can also consider this treatment.” says Dr. Siew Tuck Wah, Medical Director of Radium Medical Aesthetics.