Give Your Skin A Lift With Ultrasound

By NewBeauty Editors · Mar 6, 2012

With all of the new types of energy treatments available and their varying assurances for rejuvenated skin, there’s one that many physicians see as the most promising: ultrasound. This isn’t the type of ultrasound used during pregnancy, but rather, a high-frequency version that allows for deep treatment for a more youthful complexion. To get the skinny on this skin-improving procedure, we turned to New York, NY, dermatologist Doris Day, MD.

“Ultherapy* is the only FDA-approved product for lifting,” Dr. Day explains. “It provides for controlled heat deeper than other devices currently available and it reliably offers a more youthful, rested-looking face.”

Ultherapy delivers high-frequency ultrasound that is specifically targeted by the physician performing the treatment. It goes below the surface of the skin to tighten at a deep-tissue level-the same tissues addressed during a surgical facelift.

“It provides for deep, controlled heat that leads to tissue tightening and lifting without surgery and without affecting the outer layers of the skin,” Dr. Day says. “That makes it an optimal lifting, no downtime procedure.”

During the hour-procedure, patients may feel some fleeting discomfort due to the heat, but can return to their normal activities right away, post-treatment. Dr. Day explains that patients see a 10 percent improvement immediately and the full effect of the treatment after three months. “I have seen a remarkable difference at one month in most patients,” she says. “Some will need a second or even third treatment for optimal results.”

Don’t be surprised if your dermatologist or plastic surgeon suggests combining Ultherapy with other treatments such as neurotoxins (Botox, Dysport or Xeomin) or with fillers (Restylane, Perlane, Radiesse or Juvéderm). “It is very important to understand that the best outcomes are when treatments are combined to both lift and to also add volume,” Dr. Day says. Such a combination of treatments can lead to a lifted, tightened, smoothed and volumized face.

So what can’t Ultherapy do? “It can’t eliminate a ‘turkey neck’ or lift a face that has severe laxity or sun damage,” Dr. Day explains. “It is also not a surface treatment, so it won’t affect brown spots.”

While it is best for patients will minimal skin laxity, Dr. Day feels that we’ve only just begun to see what Ultherapy can do. “There will be new and exciting indications for it in the near future.”