Ultherapy: A Transformative Non-Invasive Skin Treatment
Once upon a time, attaining a smooth and lifted look for aging skin was achievable only through a surgical scalpel. However, for patients reluctant to undergo surgery or desiring minor enhancements in specific areas of the face or décolletage, Ultherapy emerged as a revolutionary solution when it entered doctors' offices back in 2015. Since then, this treatment has gained widespread recognition within the aesthetics domain.
"Ultherapy is an FDA-approved, entirely non-invasive therapy for lifting [and smoothing] the skin in areas such as the face, neck, and [décolletage]," states Dr. Kim Nichols, a board-certified dermatologist in Greenwich, Connecticut. "This treatment operates by delivering micro-focused ultrasound beneath the skin, stimulating collagen production to achieve a lifting and tightening effect." Unlike other non-invasive skin tightening alternatives, Ultherapy offers practitioners a distinctive level of customization, as pointed out by Dr. Ron Shelton, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, thanks to an ultrasound monitor that enables them to perceive the depth of each treated area – allowing for real-time adjustment of ultrasound energy to target the optimal depth. "It yields superior results as I can precisely focus where necessary," he remarks.
For patients experiencing mild to moderate skin laxity – typically those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s – Ultherapy can be employed to tighten the skin on the brows, beneath the chin and neck, resulting in a more elevated and firmer overall appearance. It can also smooth wrinkles on the décolletage. "In my opinion, nearly every patient is a potential candidate for Ultherapy," asserts Dr. Jennifer Levine, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York City. "Since collagen diminishes approximately 1% annually, it's advantageous to have a treatment that generates collagen and elastin, has no recovery period, and [can address] all skin types."
While all three physicians concur that it is not a replacement for facial plastic surgery, they do emphasize that it presents a compelling choice for those seeking a notable improvement in facial firmness but are not yet prepared to explore surgical options. And given that the cost typically ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the location, it can be a more accessible price point for the majority of patients.
Ultherapy outcomes begin to manifest after two to three months, but the most substantial firming, lifting, and smoothing effects are observable around the six-month mark – although Dr. Shelton notes that some patients may continue to witness improvements up to a year later. Results typically persist for one to two years – as Dr. Levine indicated, your skin will continue to lose collagen at a rate of about 1% per year. Ultherapy does not completely prevent this loss but rather functions as a stimulant, enabling your skin to produce a significantly higher quantity of collagen.
This gradual enhancement is a crucial factor why before and after photographs are indispensable for Ultherapy patients, allowing them to truly perceive the significant improvement the treatment can bring to their appearance. "Because this is a treatment that progresses gradually over time, it's like waiting for paint to dry – it's happening, but it's not readily apparent," says Dr. Levine. "Frequently, patients don't realize the substantial improvement until they compare the [before and after] pictures [side by side]. With any treatment that takes effect slowly over time, it's of utmost importance for patients to have regular check-ups and have photographs taken to get excited about their progress."
One aspect that all our doctors emphasized as important to bear in mind prior to your Ultherapy treatment is that results will vary depending on the patient's characteristics – everything from age, lifestyle to sun exposure has an influence on the initial quality of your skin, meaning your final outcomes might not be identical to those of another individual undergoing the same treatment.
We requested Drs. Levine, Nichols, and Shelton to disclose what constitutes excellent Ultherapy before and after photos in each of the FDA-approved treatment areas, to assist in determining whether it's the appropriate treatment for you or to assess the success of your treatment.
Neck
Ultherapy is FDA-approved for neck lifting, and Dr. Levine states that patients can anticipate at least a one-point improvement on a five-point assessment scale. And this will be most evident in profile photos of the neck. In fact, one of the most significant elements in photos for any facial treatment, particularly for those targeting the neck, is the angle and position of the face. Taking a straightforward photo will not provide an accurate portrayal of the firming and defining effects of Ultherapy on that area, as Dr. Levine explains, so doctors should capture patients' photos at 45- and 90-degree angles as well as a frontal view. It's also essential that the face is photographed in the same position (i.e., the chin is not pointed too far upward or downward between one photo and the next), as this can profoundly impact the appearance of the face in the picture, as noted by Dr. Shelton. "If a patient turns their neck or chin slightly higher or lower, it can tighten the skin and make a difference," he remarks.
Chin
According to Dr. Levine, Ultherapy can assist in treating the area beneath the chin, making it appear more contoured and enhancing the definition of the lower face. And while you might be inclined to smile for your photos, Dr. Shelton advises against it in your before-and-after shots as it can influence the way your results are depicted in the photos. "A smile can undoubtedly affect the lower cheek," he says, pulling the area upward or backward. Instead, he recommends maintaining a neutral expression. Your face should be at rest – not actively expressing an emotion.
Brow
When many individuals think of Ultherapy, they often focus on its capacity to shape and define the neck and chin area. But it also has the ability to give a higher arch to the brows, as stated by Dr. Nichols. According to Dr. Levine, Ultherapy actually elevates the brow, which can enhance the appearance of the eyes – that minimum one-point improvement she mentioned earlier. [It's important to note that treatment should never be performed too close to the eye area.] In brow cases, it's crucial to ensure a frontal, full-face photo so patients can clearly observe the area and how it affects the entire face. It's also vital that they refrain from wearing any makeup, especially brow or eye makeup, as this can influence the shape.
Décolletage
Ultherapy is commonly utilized in this area to address crepiness and wrinkles caused by sun damage and collagen loss due to the repeated folding of the skin – and whenever you are photographing wrinkles, Dr. Levine emphasizes, the foremost consideration is lighting. "If I shine a very bright light on you, I can wash out the skin and you won't be able to see any shadows or lines," she says. "Whereas if I have downlighting, I can accentuate the lines and wrinkles." Therefore, it's necessary to ensure that the lighting is consistent in all photos and neither overly bright nor too dark on the skin. This is where it's beneficial if a doctor's office has a dedicated photo studio or shooting setup to guarantee that all photos are taken under the same conditions and uniformity.
For safety information, visit www.ultherapy.com/IFU.
