Ultherapy (Non-Invasive Facelift)

Ultherapy® is the brand name for an FDA-approved non-invasive facelift. It is the only FDA-approved cosmetic procedure of its kind.

Rejuvenate with Ultherapy®: Non-Surgical Lift for Neck, Chin, and Brow

This procedure lifts the neck, chin, and brow and treats lines and wrinkles on the upper chest. It also stimulates the patient’s production of collagen and elastin, two of the skin’s key ingredients in fighting the effects of aging. It’s also known as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Studies have shown that Ultherapy® provides adequately good results for a patient with mild-to-moderate skin and soft tissue laxity. Ultherapy® produces natural-looking results without the need for surgery or downtime. Unlike laser treatments, Ultherapy® is not limited to specific skin colors and can be used on dark skin. Patients wanting to pursue Ultherapy® should schedule a consultation with Dr. Joshua Korman

About

HIFU uses non-ionizing ultrasonic waves to heat and gradually remove tissue cells. Treatment is combined with focused imaging techniques to allow precise guidance and monitoring. Acoustic lenses (basically high-frequency loudspeakers) are used to achieve the proper intensity at the targeted area without damaging the surrounding tissue. Besides its cosmetic applications, HIFU can treat neurological disorders, cancers, enlarged prostates, palliative care, uterine adenomyosis, and fibroids.

Benefits

Safe
The FDA cleared Ultherapy® for facial applications in 2009.
Non-Invasive
This treatment uses ultrasonic waves. No needles or incisions are necessary.
Works on Dark Skin
Unlike laser procedures, Ultherapy is safe for use on darker skin with no risk of discoloration.
Customizable
Ultrasound imaging techniques allow the doctor to see the lower layers of the skin, granting them the ability to target the areas that need the most improvement precisely.
Convenient
Treatment is non-invasive and does not require anesthesia or surgery, taking up to fifteen to twenty minutes to complete.
No Downtime
Patients can resume daily activities almost immediately following treatment.
Natural-Looking Results
Results from Ultherapy gradually come about within the first month following treatment. Outcomes usually emerge three to six months following treatment. The gradual results mean there’s no startling reveal that tells everyone the patient has had work done.
Long-Lasting
Ultherapy® can leave visible improvements for up to a year or two before needing a refresh.
Reduction of Aging Effects
Because treatment jumpstarts the skin’s natural collagen-producing systems, it essentially pauses the skin’s aging process in treated areas.

Candidates

The ideal candidate for Ultherapy® is somebody who has loose skin under the neck and chin and lines and wrinkles on the chest. Candidates are usually in their 30s or older and have mild to moderate skin looseness. Treatment is ideal for patients with sensitive skin who do not wish to undergo surgery.

Personal Consultation

If you’d like to address your questions, concerns, and comments with Dr. Korman, please contact us today for a free consultation. Consultations are offered at any of our three convenient locations serving the areas of San Jose, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Carmel, and Monterey, CA.

Preparation

Patients will require minimal preparation for this process and can maintain regular eating, drinking, exercise, and work routines before their procedure.

Before treatment, patients should remove all makeup and skincare products from the areas to be treated. Patients may take pain-reducing or anti-inflammatory medications beforehand if instructed by their doctor.

Procedure

First, Dr. Korman will clean the areas to be treated, and then he will apply an ultrasound gel. He will place the Ultherapy® wand against the skin and adjust the settings according to what he sees on the ultrasound viewer. Ultrasound energy is then directed at the area.

Patients will experience occasional sensations of heat or tingling. Treatments, in general, take about 90 minutes. Treatment of the chest can take 30 minutes, whereas the neck and face areas range from 60 to 90 minutes.

Recovery

There is generally little to no downtime related to Ultherapy®. Daily activities and exercise can be resumed immediately afterward. Most side effects resolve spontaneously.

Results

The skin may appear red or flushed at first, but that typically dissipates within a few hours. Depending on their collagen-producing capabilities, patients will start to notice results within a few days. Improvements will steadily continue for up to three months, with lasting effects as long as the patient’s body continues to produce new collagen until the aging process takes over again. From there, a patient can decide if additional treatments are necessary.

Complementary Procedures

Studies have shown that combining aesthetic interventions targeting different instances of aging leads to better results. By combining treatments, physicians can tailor the treatment to satisfy specific patient concerns more effectively and efficiently. Due to HIFU’s proven safety, patients can receive additional treatments such as:

Laser skin resurfacing to help improve texture, elasticity, and color
Microneedling to improve acne scars, fine lines, and texture
Juvederm, fat injections, or Bellafill to improve volume
CoolSculpting for stubborn fatty areas

Cost

The cost of this innovative procedure can vary depending on the size of the target area. To assess the cost of Ultherapy® treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Korman at his Mountain View facility.

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Ultherapy FAQ

What Is Ultherapy®?

What Makes Ultherapy® Different From Other Facelifts?

What Areas Can Ultherapy® Treat?

Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Ultherapy®?

Is Ultherapy® Safe?

What Does Ultherapy® Feel Like?

How Long Does An Ultherapy® Treatment Take?

What Is Collagen?

How Does Ultherapy® Encourage The Creation Of Collagen?

How Long Does Ultherapy® Last?

Are There Side Effects To Ultherapy®?

Is There Downtime With Ultherapy®?

How Many Treatments Of Ultherapy® Do I Need?

Can I Combine Ultherapy® With Other Procedures?

What Is Ultherapy®?

Ultherapy® is an FDA-approved non-invasive facelift that can also be referred to as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

What Makes Ultherapy® Different From Other Facelifts?

Unlike most treatments, which deal with the skin’s surface, Ultherapy® is the first and only treatment to reach the skin’s deep infrastructure without incisions.

What Areas Can Ultherapy® Treat?

Ultherapy® can treat the face, eyebrows, neck, jowls, chest, and under the chin.

Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Ultherapy®?

The ideal candidate for Ultherapy® has mild to moderate skin looseness and wrinkles around the face, neck, chin, or chest.

Is Ultherapy® Safe?

Yes, Ultherapy® is safe. It is FDA-approved and has a proven, well-established track record.

What Does Ultherapy® Feel Like?

Comfort levels vary from person to person, but patients may feel a tingling or mild burning sensation during treatment.

How Long Does An Ultherapy® Treatment Take?

A single Ultherapy® session can last up to 90 minutes.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is an essential protein found in the body’s connective tissues of the tendons, ligaments, skin, and muscles. It keeps the skin firm and toned. As we age, we tend to lose our collagen, causing lines and wrinkles.

How Does Ultherapy® Encourage The Creation Of Collagen?

Ultherapy® uses the high-intensity focused ultrasound to create a thermal reaction under the skin, which essentially fires up the body’s collagen-producing processes, creating fresh, new collagen.

How Long Does Ultherapy® Last?

Results vary from person to person. The patient’s natural aging processes determine how long the effects will last. Generally, results appear over two to three months, and last up to a year or more.

Are There Side Effects To Ultherapy®?

Mild side effects can include swelling, redness, soreness, bruising, numbness, or tingling. Treated areas might become flushed or red in the hours following the procedure.

Is There Downtime With Ultherapy®?

No. Ultherapy® is non-invasive and requires no downtime or post-treatment care. Patients can resume daily activities immediately. Treatment offers a lot of flexibility for patients with busy schedules.

How Many Treatments Of Ultherapy® Do I Need?

Most patients need only one treatment. However, depending on the patient’s skin elasticity, they may need more than one session. Some patients schedule annual treatments to sustain their results.

Can I Combine Ultherapy® With Other Procedures?

Yes. Patients can combine this treatment with Juvederm, fat injections Botox, Bellafill, laser treatments, or CoolSculpting. Talk to a doctor about what combinations would be appropriate.

References

Shome, D., Vadera, S., Ram, M. S., Khare, S., & Kapoor, R. (2019). Use of Micro-focused Ultrasound for Skin Tightening of Mid and Lower Face. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open, 7(12), e2498. https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000002498
Arié Azuelos, MD, Mounia SidAhmed-Mezi, PhD, Simone La Padula, MD, Celine Aboud, MD, Jean-Paul Meningaud, MD, PhD, Barbara Hersant, MD, PhD, High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound: A Satisfactory Noninvasive Procedure for Neck Rejuvenation, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 39, Issue 8, August 2019, Pages NP343–NP351, https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjz093
Hitchcock, T.M. and Dobke, M.K. (2014), Review of the safety profile for microfocused ultrasound with visualization. J Cosmet Dermatol, 13: 329-335. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12111
Carruthers, Jean MD, FRCSC; Burgess, Cheryl MD, FAAD; Day, Doris MD; Fabi, Sabrina G. MD; Goldie, Kate MD; Kerscher, Martina MD; Nikolis, Andreas MD, MSc, FRCSC; Pavicic, Tatjana MD; Rho, Nark-Kyoung MD; Rzany, Berthold MD, ScM; Sattler, Gerhard MD; Sattler, Sonja MD; Seo, Kyle MD; Werschler, William Philip MD; Carruthers, Alastair MD, FRCPC Consensus Recommendations for Combined Aesthetic Interventions in the Face Using Botulinum Toxin, Fillers, and Energy-Based Devices, Dermatologic Surgery: May 2016 – Volume 42 – Issue 5 – p 586-597 doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000754
Jerdan, K., Fabi, S.G. A Combination Approach with Lasers, Light, and Energy-Based Devices for Ultimate Rejuvenation of the Aging Face. Curr Derm Rep 5, 208–216 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13671-016-0150-9

Ultherapy (Non-Invasive Facelift)

Rejuvenate with Ultherapy®: Non-Surgical Lift for Neck, Chin, and Brow

About

Benefits

Candidates

Personal Consultation

Preparation

Procedure

Recovery

Results

Complementary Procedures

Cost

Ultherapy FAQ

What Is Ultherapy®?

What Makes Ultherapy® Different From Other Facelifts?

What Areas Can Ultherapy® Treat?

Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Ultherapy®?

Is Ultherapy® Safe?

What Does Ultherapy® Feel Like?

How Long Does An Ultherapy® Treatment Take?

What Is Collagen?

How Does Ultherapy® Encourage The Creation Of Collagen?

How Long Does Ultherapy® Last?

Are There Side Effects To Ultherapy®?

Is There Downtime With Ultherapy®?

How Many Treatments Of Ultherapy® Do I Need?

Can I Combine Ultherapy® With Other Procedures?

References

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