Dr. Hootan Daneshmand
Med Spa California
Ultherapy in Bakersfield, CA
Ultherapy is an FDA cleared, non-surgical treatment that stimulates collagen production and turns back the clock on aging. Ultherapy treats a variety of cosmetic concerns, such as facial lines and wrinkles, a sagging jawline, and loose skin on the neck through the power of ultrasound technology. In fact, many plastic surgeons and doctors refer to Ultherapy as the best “non-surgical facelift.” Below, Dr. Daneshmand breaks down the specifics of this skin tightening treatment: how it works, who is a good candidate, how many treatments you’ll need, risks and side effects, cost, and so much more.
If you’re looking to lift and tighten the skin on your face and neck without going under the knife, Ultherapy may be the best treatment for you. Call 949-359-8397 to schedule an appointment at the Med Spa at Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute today.
What is Ultherapy?
Ultherapy is currently the only non-invasive treatment that’s been approved by the FDA as an alternative to a surgical facelift. The treatment uses ultrasound energy to lift skin and improve lines and wrinkles in certain areas of the body. This non-invasive procedure can tighten skin in the following areas:
- Forehead and brow area
- Lower face and neck
- The jawline and under the chin (submental area)
- Lower neckline and upper chest area (décolletage)
Less commonly, patients will request this skin tightening procedure on other parts of their body, such as the abdomen, the elbows, and the knees.
How Ultherapy Works
Ultherapy works by slowing down or slightly reversing the natural aging process on the face, neck, and chest. This is accomplished through micro-focused ultrasound energy, which promotes new collagen production in the skin.
The microfocused ultrasound energy heats up the tissue that lies beneath the surface of the skin. Your plastic surgeon will use micro-focused ultrasound energy at different depths, depending on the treatment area. For example, the superficial dermis lies about 1.5 millimeters (mm) beneath the surface of the skin while the deep dermis lies about 3 mm beneath the skin and the muscles lie about 5 mm beneath the skin. At the right temperature and depth, the heat from the Ultherapy treatment will stimulate production of new collagen in the skin.
Collagen is a natural protein in the body that serves many purposes, one of which is keeping the skin elastic, smooth, and youthful looking. As we get older, natural collagen production decreases, resulting in lines and wrinkles in our skin. This is when many people turn to non-invasive treatments – like Ultherapy, laser treatments, and microneedling – to maintain that youthful glow.
Benefits of Ultherapy
Ultherapy can lead to a variety of cosmetic benefits, including:
- Fewer lines and wrinkles on the face and neck
- Smoother, tighter skin
- A subtle full-face lift, without the surgery
Although Ultherapy is often referred to as a non-surgical facelift, it’s important to have realistic expectations. You’re not going to experience that super tight, stretched facelift look from ultrasound technology. This treatment does work, but the results are a lot more subtle, gradual, and natural. In fact, a plastic surgeon on the site called RealSelf – a site where plastic surgery patients and doctors discuss their experiences – says, “I tell my patients that it’s about 10-20% of a facelift result.”
Additionally, 85% of patients involved in a 2019 study about the effectiveness of Ultherapy stated that they were satisfied with their results.
Who is a Good Candidate for Ultherapy?
You may be a good candidate for a Ultherapy treatment if:
- You’re middle-aged and noticing new lines, wrinkles, and sagging in the face and neck.
- You are in generally good health, meaning you have no major underlying health conditions.
- You don’t have any active skin infections or major skin conditions.
Basically, the most ideal patient for Ultherapy is one whose lack of skin laxity isn’t severe enough to require a surgical facelift yet. Be sure to ask Dr. Daneshmand if Ultherapy is the best option for you and your cosmetic concerns.
What to Expect During and After a Ultherapy Procedure
If you have never undergone this non-surgical skin tightening procedure before, this is what you can expect.
First, Dr. Daneshmand will start by applying a topical numbing cream on the treatment area and giving you laughing gas to minimize pain and discomfort. Because no surgery is actually involved in Ultherapy, you don’t need local or general anesthesia.
Next, Dr. Daneshmand will apply ultrasound gel to the treatment area and begin moving the Ultherapy device across the surface of the skin. He will be able to determine how deep he needs to go with the ultrasound energy by looking at the ultrasound monitor. It all depends on how thick the skin is in the treatment area.
Depending on how many areas of the body you’re getting treated, the treatment may last between 60 to 90 minutes. Afterwards, you can resume the majority of your normal activities, unless you received laughing gas. Most patients experience very little pain and discomfort after the procedure, aside from some soreness and minimal swelling. Be sure to avoid sun exposure for a few days and follow the rest of Dr. Daneshmand’s aftercare instructions.
Is Ultherapy Painful?
Ultherapy can be painful and uncomfortable, especially without numbing cream, pain medication, or laughing gas. Most plastic surgeons will offer patients one or a combination of these substances to not only manage pain during the procedure, but to reduce overall anxiety.
Even with numbing cream and light sedation, many patients experience some discomfort during the treatment, because Ultherapy heats the skin and underlying tissues up to 140°F. But the pain doesn’t last longer than a second or two at a time, which is long enough to send the ultrasound energy into the skin.
How Many Ultherapy Treatments Will I Need?
Most plastic surgeons will say that you only need about one treatment to begin seeing results. But if you’re actively trying to combat the natural aging process after your initial treatment, you may be able to undergo additional treatments every few years. Dr. Daneshmand will examine the skin laxity in the treatment areas and tell you how many Ultherapy treatments can benefit you.
When Will I See Results From Ultherapy?
The answer to this depends on your body’s ability to produce new collagen in the treatment area. But most patients notice their skin gradually lift and tighten over the course of 3 to 6 months after the initial treatment. Your full results should be noticeable at the 12 month mark.
Risks and Side Effects of Ultherapy
Because Ultherapy is a non-invasive treatment, most people don’t experience major side effects or health complications. At most, you may experience skin soreness, bruising, redness, swelling, tingling, or numbness for a few hours after the treatment. In rare cases, people may experience welts, blisters, or nerve weakness in the treated area, but only if the temperature was too hot.
If you notice welts, blisters, or nerve problems after Ultherapy, be sure to contact your doctor. If you experience soreness, swelling, redness, or other skin issues for more than a few days after the treatment, you should contact your doctor as well.
How Much Does Ultherapy Cost?
The cost of Ultherapy will vary depending on your geographic location, your plastic surgeon’s experience level, and how many parts of the body you want to be treated.
According to RealSelf, Ultherapy costs can range from $500 to $4,000 per session, with $2,446 being the average cost across the nation. To determine how much your Ultherapy session will cost at our Bakersfield Med Spa, be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Daneshmand.
