Effectiveness and Safety of Ultherapy In A Premier NYC Cosmetic Dermatology Practice

Ultherapy works deep below the skin, creating a stronger, tighter structural foundation, as well as noticeable surface tightening, generating more profound results than were previously available without surgical intervention. Similar to the ultrasounds used during pregnancy, Ultherapy allows your surgeon to visualize the distribution of sound waves and target the areas that will create the most profound impact for your face and neck. Ultherapy is different- there’s no downtime, fillers, injections, or radical changes – just natural tightening from your body’s immune response to gentle, time-tested ultrasound. Similar to the way a vigorous workout leaves you sore the next day, Ultherapy creates micro-damage to the underlying tissues, which helps your body respond faster with rebuilding collagen and tightening throughout the area. Ultherapy uses tried-and-true ultrasound technology, which has been FDA-cleared to lift the neck, under the chin, the brow, and the décolleté. By directing the ultrasound energy precisely at the areas in need of tightening, Ultherapy stimulates the growth of new collagen. Collagen is a natural protein that provides the elasticity and tone in youthful skin. As we age, the collagen in our skin loses its strength and diminishes. Ultherapy works by jump-starting the collagen-production deep below the skin. Because your body builds collagen over the months following your Ultherapy treatment, your results appear naturally and slowly. Results Results from Ultherapy are not immediate, though you may experience a boost in collagen production directly following your treatment. Full results will develop over time, usually 2-3 months, and sometimes as long as 6 months out. Natural, slower-developing results means you won’t look radically different over night, and no one will need to know you’ve had anything done.

Ultherapy is the only FDA-cleared procedure that targets the deep foundation, below your skin, without cutting or disrupting the surface of the skin. Also, the only procedure to use ultrasound imaging, Ultherapy allows our surgeons to view the deeper layers and direct the ultrasound to the specific areas that need it the most. The level of precision and the degree of transformation seen from Ultherapy can only be surpassed by surgical intervention. So if you’re not ready for a facelift, an uplift with Ultherapy could be for you.

The lasers offered at The Dermatology & Laser Group address issues in the superficial layers of the skin (e.g. fine lines, wrinkles, pigment changes). Ultherapy addresses the deep skin layer and the foundational layer addressed in cosmetic surgery that lift and lend support to the skin. Therefore, the two technologies are quite complementary!

The procedure has been cleared by the FDA after demonstrating safety in clinical studies, and over 200,000 treatments have been performed safely worldwide. In addition, ultrasound energy has a proven track record, with use in the field of medicine for more than 50 years.

Ultherapy sessions usually last 60-90 minutes. You do not have to take downtime after your treatment, but as the process can leave you red, and there is the possibility that your surgeon will prescribe you medications to limit discomfort, we suggest taking the remainder of the evening to relax after your procedure.

Most patients note that they can feel the ultrasound working. However, comfort thresholds vary from patient to patient, and so it is difficult to say if you will experience this as discomfort. What you do feel during delivery of the ultrasound energy is temporary and a positive signal that the collagen-building process has been initiated. Patients typically leave comfortable and excited about the benefits to come!
Exciting advancements have recently been implemented, including a new-and-improved treatment approach and update to the procedure’s System, Ultherapy Amplify, which is proven to increase patient comfort of the procedure without impacting efficacy. Of course, your practitioner will consult with you prior to your skin treatment to make your experience as pleasant as possible.

Ultherapy works best on areas with moderate loose and sagging skin in the brows, neck, décolleté, and under the chin. While Ultherapy can certainly provide improvement for severe sagging and loose skin, the results will be less dramatic.

Patients may enjoy some initial effect but the ultimate lifting and toning will take place over 2-3 months, as tired collagen is replaced with new, more elastic collagen. As this collagen-building process continues, further improvements can appear up to 6 months following a procedure.

Results from Ultherapy have been shown to last for at least 2 years, with gradual aging beginning to show after the 2 year period. In order to prolong your results, you may wish to have another Ultherapy treatment at the end of the 2 year period. Remember that no procedure is able to stop the aging process, but Ultherapy can help you make significant progress towards turning back the effects of gravity.

The majority of patients only need one treatment; however, some may benefit from more than one treatment (depending on how much laxity you have and your body’s own biological response to the ultrasound and collagen-building process). Your physician will be able to recommend the right treatment plan for your needs during your cosmetic consultation.