Ultherapy®: Nonsurgical Skin Tightening Alternative

If you go online and search for “nonsurgical facelift,” the number of results can be a bit overwhelming. One of the most popular skin tightening options at my Pasadena plastic surgery practice that doesn’t involve incisions or injections is Ultherapy, a game-changing treatment that is a favorite of celebrities because it produces excellent results that look natural.

Ultherapy is cleared by the FDA and has definitely transformed the concept of what results a nonsurgical facelift or neck lift can produce. Ultherapy is now seen as an alternative to many of the top surgical skin tightening procedures for women and men with moderate wrinkles and sagging skin. In this blog post, I’ll explain how Ultherapy works and why it’s becoming so popular.

What Happens During Ultherapy?

During an Ultherapy treatment, the device fires ultrasonic energy into the skin’s deeper layers. This process stimulates the gradual growth of new collagen, strengthening and toning the skin from the inside out. What really sets Ultherapy apart is that it not only creates smoother skin, but it also actually lifts the skin.

It’s especially effective in the same areas targeted by facelift surgery—the jawline and neck. Because new collagen is slowly created, the results appear more natural than a facelift. Even though the most popular areas for treatment are the jawline and the neck, Ultherapy is also now cleared by the FDA for treating the chest, or décolletage. Additionally, plastic surgeons are finding that “off-label” uses for Ultherapy include tightening skin in other areas of the body, such as the back of the arms and over the knees. It can also be a nonsurgical alternative to a brow lift.

When Do You See Results?

The body’s natural healing process that includes producing new collagen typically can take between 3 and 6 months. So even though the treatment itself is relatively quick, you’ll need to be a bit patient. Early results may be seen within weeks, but the additional microscopic strands of collagen continue developing for several months. Some patients decide to get a second Ultherapy treatment 6 months after the first to enhance the outcome, but 1 treatment is often all that’s needed.

As the first doctor in California (and 4^th in the U.S.) to use ultrasound energy to tighten skin on the face and neck, I have seen the popularity of Ultherapy dramatically increase since it was first introduced. In addition to being used as an alternative to plastic surgery, Ultherapy may also be recommended for people who have had facelifts but who want follow-up rejuvenation without surgery.

If you’re concerned about sagging neck skin, jowls, or loose skin on other areas of the face or body, Ultherapy may be an option. You can contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call my Pasadena plastic surgery practice at (626) 268-4524 to schedule an appointment.