Ultrasound Face Lifting

Many people don't realize that ultrasound imaging can be used to lift skin and promote collagen production. One such noninvasive treatment, Ultherapy has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Practitioners use the ultrasound treatment to target deep tissue layers. They can use the device to focus energy where it is most needed.

Ultrasound therapy is long used for imaging and other treatments and is now helping to give people's faces a lift.

Ultherapy uses noninvasive ultrasound energy to lift the eyebrow, neck and under-chin. Recently, the FDA approved the technique for smoothing decolletage (chest area) lines and wrinkles as well.

How does ultrasound therapy work?

The ultrasound skin tightening device reaches 5 mm deep under the skin, penetrating into the second layer of muscles underneath the facial muscles. Lasers don't even go that deep.

Going deep into the skin matters because that's where your skin makes new collagen.

Stimulating collagen creation

Unlike other laser treatments that simply target the outer layers of skin, ultrasound therapy bypasses the skin's surface. It delivers the collagen stimulating ultrasound energy to the deepest layers.

The dermis layer of the skin contains most of the skin's specialized cells and structures. It synthesizes less collagen each year after about age 20. For women, estrogen levels decrease after menopause. This leaves the skin drier, thinner, and not as taut as before.

Once the dermis begins producing the new collagen, sagging facial and neck skin lifts and starts to look younger and tighter.

A micro facelift without the scalpel

Because ultrasound therapy is noninvasive, there is no cutting, no stitches and no downtime..

Ultherapy is a good alternative for those who cannot or do not want a face-lift or who at least want to put off surgery for a few years.

After the procedure, clients can go right back to their normal activities without having to follow any special post-procedure instructions. Most people see the full effect of the treatment about three to six months after the procedure. Some notice initial effects sooner.

One treatment is usually sufficient. However, some people need three or more sessions to achieve the desired goal..

For mild to moderate skin laxity

People with mild to moderate facial and neck skin laxity make good candidates for ultrasound therapy treatments. Even younger people (i.e., under age 30) can use the procedure as a preventive measure.

Some plastic surgeons use the therapy on surgical face-lift patients to enhance and prolong results of the surgery.