With age comes a few unenviable appearance changes, such as loosening or lax skin on the face, neck, and chest. If you’ve tried using anti-aging over-the-counter products without much success, then it might be time to search for a new solution to restore the youthfulness of your skin. At Columbus Facial Plastics at The Sullivan Centre in Columbus, OH, we believe that Ultherapy is one of the most promising anti-aging solutions available.
What Should I Avoid Before Ultherapy?
Although this is not a surgical procedure, there are still a few things you will need to do to prepare for your treatment. Ultherapy is a treatment that utilizes the power of ultrasound waves and thermal energy, which means you will need to take care to prepare your skin for treatment. We will provide you with a comprehensive list of instructions to follow to help you prepare for your treatment.
Your pre-treatment instructions will include:
- Do not use blood-thinning medications and supplements
- Avoid direct sun exposure three to five days before treatment
- Shave desired treatment area if necessary
- Discontinue use of Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid
- Reschedule appointment if you have a cold sore or skin infection
We ask that all patients arrive at the appointment wearing loose, comfortable clothing, and with freshly cleansed skin. Please do not wear make-up or moisturizers to your appointment, and keep your hair away from your face. You will not need to arrange for transportation following your appointment.
What Else Do You Need to Know About Ultherapy Treatment?
As you can see, the preparation for your treatment appointment is fairly straight forward. Everything you are asked to do to prepare is for the treatment is to ensure that your results are as desired so you can reach your aesthetic goals without delay. But aside from preparation, there are other steps involved in your treatment process, such as:
Treatment
Your treatment appointment will take between 60 and 90 minutes to complete. Depending on your needs and preferences, the first step of your treatment may include sedative options.
The treatment itself is fairly straight forward – after you are made comfortable in the private treatment area, one of our aesthetic professionals will use the patented treatment device on your skin. The treatment will include a mild sensation on the skin, usually heat, and minor pressure.
Post-Treatment Instructions
After your treatment, you will be given a list of post-treatment instructions to help guide you safely through your recovery period. The post-treatment instructions are intended to ensure that your treatment is as successful as possible and should be followed for at least the first three to five days following your treatment appointment.
Some post-treatment instructions will include:
- Avoid the use of blood-thinning medications and supplements
- No direct or prolonged sun exposure
- Avoid excessive sweating and heat, such as saunas and hot tubs
- Use SPF 30 or greater
- Temporarily discontinue the use of Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid
How Long Is Recovery?
Your recovery for this treatment is relatively short. Although you will be asked to follow the post-treatment directions for at least three to five days, your recovery period will end after that time and you will be free to return to all normal activities, including exercise and your regular skincare routine.
Immediately following your appointment, you will be allowed to safely return to work, errands, and other commitments, although you should know your skin may appear flushed during this time.
When Can You See Results?
The majority of patients begin seeing the results of this treatment within one to two weeks of the treatment appointment. Results consist of a visible improvement to the tightness of the skin.
The results of this treatment will continue to improve over the next three to six months, with the peak of results being most evident after six months. The gradual results of this treatment mean that the overall effect is more natural-looking than some other cosmetic treatments.
How Long Do Results Last?
The results of this treatment last for an impressively long time, especially considering this is a non-surgical and non-invasive treatment. You can expect to enjoy the results of this treatment for as long as one to two years.
Your results may last longer depending on a variety of factors, such as your age, the condition and needs of your skin, and how well your body responded to the thermal energy used in the treatment.
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
You will only require one treatment to achieve your desired results. However, when the results of the treatment gradually taper off, you will need to have another treatment. We generally recommend that patients attend an annual maintenance appointment once a year to maintain the desired results of the treatment.
If you aren’t sure how frequently you should have this treatment, we will help you determine the best frequency to meet all of your appearance-related goals.
Ultherapy FAQ
1. What Is Ultherapy?
This is an innovative anti-aging treatment with the great ability to subtly reverse the natural aging process with thermal energy. The Ultherapy treatment works by utilizing the capabilities of ultrasound technology and applying them in a new way; during the course of your treatment, ultrasound sonic waves will be used to heat the sub-dermal layers of your skin to tighten skin tissues, while traditional ultrasound technology will enable your aesthetic technician to view the sub-dermal layers of your skin.
2. Why Is Ultrasound Energy Unique?
The use of ultrasound energy for cosmetic purposes makes this treatment unique among other energy-based treatments that have the same treatment goal. Ultrasound technology is unique in that it enables your treatment provider to see the layers of your skin, which ensures that each area of the skin that requires attention is given adequate treatment.
This is the main reason why this treatment is so effective – areas of the skin that require more attention, such as those with deeper wrinkles, are given the exact dosage of thermal energy necessary to reverse aging.
3. What Does It Treat?
This is primarily an anti-aging treatment focused on tightening skin tissues. Many providers refer to this treatment as an “uplift” treatment, as it lifts and tightens skin all over the face, neck, and chest. You can think of this treatment as being a non-surgical and non-invasive alternative to cosmetic surgeries such as facelifts and neck lifts. This treatment is used to address appearance-related concerns such as:
- Skin laxity
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Skin thinness
The areas of the body that can be addressed with this treatment include:
- Forehead
- Between the brows
- Drooping brows
- Wrinkles around the eyes
- Expression lines around the nose and mouth
- Chin wrinkles
- Sagging jowls
- Loose skin beneath the chin
- Skin laxity on the neck
4. What Causes Skin Laxity?
The cause of skin laxity is generally attributed to changes in the composition of the sub-dermal layers of skin as a result of the natural aging process. There are two proteins within the skin that are responsible for supporting the structure for the skin; however, when collagen and elastin reduce production levels as a result of the natural aging process, the skin will become thinner and more prone to wrinkles.
Untreated, skin laxity does not go away on its own. Skin will continue to grow laxer over time due to continued reduction in the levels of collagen and elastin present in the skin.
5. How Can You Be Comfortable During Treatment?
This treatment is not considered painful. However, because some patients have skin that is more sensitive or lower pain tolerance, we offer many comforting practices at our clinic to ensure that each patient is comfortable for the duration of their treatment. The three main comforting options include:
Oral Sedative
You have the option fo taking an oral sedative or an anti-anxiety medication that has been prescribed to you by your primary care physician. The oral sedative will keep you calm and relaxed during the treatment.
ProNox
ProNox is a self-administered combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen that we offer to patients at our clinic. ProNox works similarly to laughing gas used at dental practices during dental procedures.
With ProNox, the patient controls the frequency with which the nitrous oxide is used in order to keep themselves calm during the treatment. The effects of ProNox leave the body within five to 10 minutes and this is considered a very low-risk treatment.
Topical Creams
You may also have the option of topical creams or gels to numb the surface of the skin prior to your treatment. Some topical gels may also have cooling properties to give your skin better comfort.
6. Is This Treatment Safe?
Ultrasound technology has been used safely in medical settings for decades and is equally as safe to use for cosmetic purposes, as well. This treatment will not injure the skin and can be used safely on all skin types and skin tones.
7. Can You Combine This Treatment With Others?
Yes, this treatment is easily combined with other cosmetic treatments. Some patients like to combine cosmetic treatments to achieve specific aesthetic goals, so it’s very common to use an energy-based treatment to address the underlying causes of age-related skin concerns with cosmetic treatments to address concerns such as dryness, dark spots, or sun damage.
Skincare Products
Although skincare products alone are not enough to abate the natural decline of collagen and elastin within the skin, many medical-grade skincare products can help enhance and maintain the results of your ultrasound therapy. We can recommend skincare products that are ideal for your skin type and skin needs.
Facials and Chemical Peels
Facials and chemical peels are used to address superficial skin concerns, such as acne, scarring, melasma, dark spots, pigmentation, sun damage, skin dryness, and uneven skin tone and texture.
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive treatment that deeply exfoliates the skin to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as allow skincare products to work better.
Neurotoxins and Dermal Fillers
Neurotoxins and dermal fillers are injectable treatments that are used in various areas of the face for anti-aging purposes. Neurotoxins relax the tension of facial muscles that contribute to wrinkles, while dermal fillers are used to restore skin volume.
9. Are You a Good Candidate?
Good candidates for this treatment include any patient who is searching for a non-surgical and non-invasive alternative to a facelift, neck lift, or both. There are no medical restrictions for this treatment, so the majority of prospective patients are qualified.
We determine qualification at your consultation appointment. Good candidates include those who want to:
- Reduce wrinkles
- Diminish fine lines
- Lift and tighten skin
- Improve skin texture
Tighten and Lift Skin With Ultherapy
Skin laxity may be an unavoidable result of the natural aging process, but it is possible to slow aging in its tracks with the right cosmetic treatment. If you think the best way to tighten and lift your skin is with Ultherapy, contact Columbus Facial Plastics at The Sullivan Centre in Columbus, OH to schedule your consultation appointment today.
