Are Ultherapy results permanent?
Ultrasound skin tightening Ultherapy, Sofwave, Maidstone, Kent
Ultrasound skin tightening is the leading non-surgical lifting technology for tighter, firmer skin – in less than an hour and without any downtime. It effectively lifts the upper and lower face, under the chin, neck and on the eyebrows, and improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the decolletage. But are the results permanent? And which ultrasound device is the most effective? Read on for everything you need to know.
What is ultherapy skin tightening?
The ultrasound skin tightening procedures performed professionally (using devices like Ultherapy) are mostly HIFU, or High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, procedures. They employ a treatment head that emits intense ultrasound pulses whose energy is focused to a single point below the skin surface. There it creates tiny dots of micro-injuries at a pre-determined depth of 1.5, 3.0 or 4.5mm, aiming to hit a layer of muscular tissue called the SMAS, in an attempt to tighten it.
Sofwave, however, is an ultrasound treatment with a difference. While other ultrasound technologies on the market (like Ultherapy) work by concentrating the energy to create a focal hotspot between 1.5mm and 4.5mm below the surface of the skin, Sofwave works within the skin itself to create new collagen – with each ‘shot’ of energy – seven cylinders of energy are delivered which are delivered parallel to the surface of the skin, and which link up 1.5mm beneath the skin, to create a line of collagen-remodelling heat. This means that each shot treats an area of tissue far more significant in size, and the energy delivered is up to six times higher than with other ultrasound devices. The end result is a much more effective skin-tightening result.
What can Ultherapy do for the skin?
Ultherapy can tone and tighten skin, and even lift the brow. When used to target the dermis, it can also help plump out lines, wrinkles and crepiness. It has been known to ‘slim’ the face as well – something that can happen when the energy hits the fat layer situated just above the SMAS layer and right underneath the dermis, destroying the fat cells and causing ‘shrinkage’. Although this isn’t necessarily meant to happen and can cause issues for some patients.
Sofwave can have the same positive results as Ultherapy, but since it isn’t penetrating as deep into the face as Ultherapy, it doesn’t have the risk of fat loss.
Is it painful?
All ultrasound treatments are slightly uncomfortable, but they’re not intolerable, and you will be offered good pain-management protocols that may involve topical anaesthetic cream, diazepam, ibuprofen, and/or paracetamol.
Are Ultherapy results permanent?
The effects of the Ultherapy treatment last for 18 months or so, at which point, you will be advised to have a second treatment to maintain the results. The full results of both Sofwave and Ultherapy also take time to develop. Post-Sofwave, the fresh collagen stimulated deep within the skin takes approximately three months to kick in and show on the surface. But when it does, you can expect a tighter, more youthful-looking visage, lifted eyes, a refined jawline, and the mid-face may appear elegantly elevated.
Would you like to learn more about Ultrasound skin tightening and how it can benefit you? Click here to enquire.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.
