Aging is not something we can stop. Over time, the skin shows various signs of aging because it no longer gets the nutrients that are necessary for firmness and volume. A facelift may help restore a more youthful appearance, but it does nothing to address the reasons the skin ages in the first place. That’s why, with or without plastic surgery, many people turn to nonsurgical skin-tightening treatments like Ultherapy. Here, we discuss details about this technology.
The Device is FDA-Cleared
Just because a treatment is nonsurgical does not mean it is safe. Our patients can trust that Dr. Bucay has added technologies to our offices that have been thoroughly tested. Ultherapy was first FDA-cleared in 2009 and then again in 2012 when it was cleared for additional treatment areas. First, it was the brows, then it was also the lower face and neck. So, for more than a decade, Ultherapy has performed exceedingly well for adults of all ages.
It is Not a Facelift
Ultherapy does not require anesthesia. There are no incisions and is no need for downtime. The process works differently than a facelift but addresses the same layer of tissue doctors lift during that surgery. Where a facelift manually repositions tissue, Ultherapy stimulates a natural lift in subcutaneous tissue by heating it. The heat that is deposited during treatment causes collagen contraction and remodeling that can last up to 9 months.
It is Not a Laser Treatment
Ultherapy often gets confused as a laser treatment. It is not. It is powered by ultrasound energy; the same kind of energy used to observe internal organs. Ultrasound energy is different than laser energy in that it travels through the skin. Laser energy travels into the skin to affect superficial tissue. Using ultrasound, we preserve the surface of the skin while forcing regeneration far beneath it.
Ultherapy is Safe for All Skin Types
People with darker skin tones are often advised not to get laser treatments. The heat that gets absorbed by the skin may target melanin, the chemical that causes pigment. Heat can therefore cause dark spots or light spots on certain skin tones. Because Ultherapy sends ultrasound waves deep beneath the skin, it is appropriate for all skin types and tones.
One Treatment Brings Beautiful Change
An Ultherapy appointment lasts about an hour and a half. The stimulation that is triggered by this treatment lasts several months. During that time, collagen constricts and tightens. New collagen and elastin flood the area to rebuild the skin’s foundation over time. Eight to nine months after treatment, patients still love the look of their skin. Because the cells that produce collagen go dormant during mid-life, it is beneficial to schedule yearly Ultherapy treatments. This way, new collagen formation is stimulated before the effects of the previous treatment wear off.
Aging doesn’t have to be a stubborn problem you tackle alone. Contact our Sonterra or La Casita office in San Antonio to learn more about Ultherapy and our other anti-aging services.