Are there any Risks of Having Ultherapy Treatment?
Nobody likes lax and saggy skin, especially on their face. The truth is that we can rely on facial creams, serums, and masks for a limited time. Once we pass a certain age, beauty and skin-care products can work only to a certain degree.
So, if we want to keep looking young, sooner or later, we will have to turn to professionals for help.
Luckily, that doesn’t necessarily mean going under the knife anymore. With numerous advancements in medical dermatology, we can now make the most of non-invasive procedures and still get the desired results.
If our skin isn’t sagging excessively, we can significantly improve the way we look with non-surgical treatments, such as Ultherapy. Moreover, we can even get permanent or semi-permanent results, which is truly revolutionary for a non-invasive treatment.
Even though traditional surgical methods for rejuvenation carry many more risks than non-surgical procedures such as Ultherapy, we may still feel hesitant towards trying it.
In order to make a sound decision, we should first learn what Ultherapy is, how it works, and what are the risks of having this treatment.
What Is Ultherapy?
In the simplest terms, Ultherapy is a non-invasive treatment that provides results similar to those of a surgical facelift. The treatment fights typical signs of aging such as lax skin and wrinkles in the face, brow region, neck, and chest.
It works by promoting collagen production in the treated area(s), which then results in a lifted, more youthful appearance.
We can use Ultherapy to target specific (typically not too big) areas under our skin. The technology behind Ultherapy affects the area under our skin with a particular heat energy temperature, and thus stimulates collagen regeneration.
This heat treatment affects three different layers of our skin in total; those are the surface level wrinkles, skin, and muscle. The goal of Ultherapy is to produce a less saggy skin that is firmer and has fewer wrinkles.
What to Expect Before, During, and After the Treatment
When it comes to preparing ourselves for Ultherapy, there is not much that we will be required to do. However, we will first need to see our doctor or dermatologist to discuss our current skin condition, the procedure itself, as well as our expectations.
Apart from that, we will only have to schedule a date for the treatment. Also, we should refrain from using makeup and skin-care products one day before the procedure.
Right before the procedure, our medical technician will start the process by cleaning the areas that will be treated. That means getting rid of any residue on the skin. Next, they will apply a gel that they will use with an ultrasound viewer.
Finally, the technician will place the device against our skin and Ultherapy will begin. In order to make sure that the device has been set properly and that it is indeed reaching our target areas, they will monitor the whole process with the ultrasound view.
Ultherapy itself is not particularly painful. During the treatment, we will feel a couple of short, quick bursts of heat and/or some tingling. If we don’t like experiencing any pain, we can take an over-the-counter painkiller before coming in for the treatment. Also, if we are experiencing any discomfort during the procedure, our doctor can provide us with pain medication.
One session typically lasts between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the area that we are treating.
After the treatment, we might experience mild redness of the skin, but generally, we can expect zero to minimal downtime.
Ultherapy is mostly used to treat the face, the neck, and the chest area.
The Dangers and Risks of Ultherapy
After Ultherapy demonstrated safety in clinical studies and after more than 100,000 procedures have been performed safely on patients worldwide, the treatment became FDA-approved. There are also hundreds if not thousands of success stories online.
Also, Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy, which has been used in various fields of medicine for over 50 years and has a proven track record. That makes it safer than some other, similar non-invasive procedures for skin rejuvenation.
It is important to note that all medical procedures come with potential risks. However, with a good selection of a medical expert, we can significantly lower those risks. In fact, working with a specialized physician who can perform Ultherapy safely is of utmost importance.
When the person in charge of the treatment is experienced and they know what they are doing, the chances of side effects are minimal.
Common Side Effects
As previously mentioned, we can expect mild redness on the surface of our skin after the treatment.
In addition, a small percentage of patients can experience some of the following things:
- slight swelling
- tingling
- bruising
- sensitivity to touch
- temporary numbness on a small area of the skin
All of these side effects are mild and temporary in nature — we will be able to resume normal activities in the next 24 hours. In some cases, people can go back to work right after the treatment. However, depending on our personal preferences, we can take a day off from work, but that is not always necessary.
When it comes to long-term side effects that include hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation, medical professionals have discussed those as well. Yet they haven’t been able to notice any of them in the months and years following the treatment.
Nerve injury is also a side effect that has been under debate. However, if Ultherapy is performed by an experienced and professional physician, the risk of nerve injury is basically non-existent.
Lastly, some people have connected thermal burns with Ultherapy, but those are also impossible to happen if we choose a medical expert who knows how to perform the treatment safely.
Are Ultherapy Risks Worth It?
Even though it is non-invasive, Ultherapy is a medical procedure; as such, it inevitably comes with potential risks. However, common side effects are very mild and temporary in nature. That allows the patients to resume their normal activities within the 24 hours after the treatment.
When it comes to serious side effects, those are particularly rare, and they have typically been linked to irresponsible and incompetent execution. Therefore, if we select an experienced physician who knows how to perform Ultherapy safely, we won’t have to worry about those at all.
If you’re looking for a board-certified dermatologist to safely and effectively provide Ultherapy treatment, then consider The Dermatology and Laser Group. Simply contact us here or call us at (212) 444-8204.
Arash Akhavan, MD is founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group, one of the top centers for cosmetic procedures in New York City for over a decade. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Akhavan is a Castle Connolly Top Doc, New York Magazine Best Doctor, and Super Doctor featured in The New York Times. Dr. Akhavan is a key opinion leader that has been featured on hundreds of media publications including The New York Times, Allure, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Fox News, Fox 5, NY1, WPIX, and more. He has been featured on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Doctors.
Dr. Akhavan serves as an educator and lecturer for multiple aesthetic device and injectable companies. This allows his office access to newer technologies at an earlier date than other offices, as well as a higher level of expertise in the use of these devices. This, in turn, translates to more effective and safer treatments for our patients.
