Do you have loose skin? Do you wish you could tighten it without committing to an invasive procedure? At Rejuvalase Medical Spa in Santa Barbara, CA, Dr. Gregory Keller offers Ultherapy, a non-invasive skin tightening solution. Today, we’re answering some of the most frequently asked questions about this treatment, including how durable the results are.
How Long Will Results Last After Ultherapy?
Immediate and Durable Results
Ultherapy uses the revolutionary, FDA-approved Ulthera system to tighten loose skin non-invasively. Its non-invasive, efficacious nature makes it very popular among busy people who don’t have time for downtime following an invasive skin tightening procedure. As soon as your convenient, pain-free session is over, you may notice that the treated area is tighter. That said, it can take a few days to start seeing the results of your treatment in the mirror.
However, this treatment continues to tighten the treatment area for roughly four to six months. Once your final results become apparent, you can expect your ideal results to remain for approximately five years.
How Many Sessions Are Required To Achieve Ideal Results?
Although the results of this treatment continue to improve over the course of four to six months, you may want to come in three or four weeks after your first session for an evaluation. We can assess your progress and advise you on whether you may benefit from a follow-up session. The Ulthera system provides consistently great results, so you can rest assured your results will become even better if you receive an extra session.
After a single session, your coworkers will be asking you what you did to improve your skin tone and what the secret to your skincare routine is. Most people only need one session to achieve their desired results. That said, two sessions are required to achieve ideal results in the case of extreme skin laxity. You may need two treatment sessions to get the tight, smooth skin you desire if your skin is sagging due to aging and weight loss.
What Factors Affect the Longevity of the Results?
The natural aging process is the most significant factor affecting skin laxity. As you age, your skin breaks down hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin faster than it can replenish the essential polysaccharides, fibrous proteins, and fibers. Therefore, if you receive this treatment when you’re in your 60s, your results may only last a couple of years. Additionally, the area receiving the treatment affects how long the results will last.
While some people can expect their ideal results to last for five years, your results may start to fade after four years if you are targeting sagging neck and jawline skin. Additionally, your skin health plays a very significant role in determining how long the final results of your treatment will last.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
Most adults who are concerned about the appearance of sagging skin are considered good candidates for this treatment. Since it’s non-invasive, there aren’t strict health requirements like there are for invasive skin tightening procedures. We will discuss your goals during your initial consultation to ensure this treatment can correct your cosmetic concerns. We will also review your medical history, current health, and current medications and supplements.
Furthermore, we will discuss what you can expect before, during, and after your treatment to help you determine whether this treatment will be a good fit for you. If we determine you are healthy enough for this treatment and it will be beneficial for you, we are more than happy to answer all of your questions so you can determine whether this treatment is a good fit. Here are some of the benefits of treatment for younger and older clients:
Benefits for Younger Clients
As noted above, a natural side effect of the aging process is a reduction in collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production. This decrease in production rate starts at approximately 25 years old, but the effects of this production slowdown don’t usually become apparent until you are approximately 30 years old. Around this time, you may notice the extremely thin skin around your eyelids starts to sag. You may also notice the lowering of your brow line at this time.
If you start receiving Ultherapy sessions when you are in your early 30s, you will age gracefully with ease. By starting this collagen-inducing treatment as soon as you notice the first signs of aging, you will erase the visible effects of the aging process and delay its progression significantly. Younger clients with hyperpigmentation and other skin tone issues may benefit significantly from coming in annually for a short touch-up.
Benefits for Older Clients
Ultherapy Santa Barbara is a great option for older clients because the results are dramatic and the treatment is non-invasive. Although this treatment provides results that usually last five years, and invasive procedures provide results that last five to 15 years, not everyone is healthy enough to qualify for a skin tightening procedure.
A single treatment session will shave years from your face, smoothing and lifting lax, wrinkled skin. Additionally, elevated collagen production will slow the effects of the aging process. That said, you should keep in mind you may need two sessions if you’re in your 50s or 60s and have sagging skin due to aging and rapid weight loss. Regardless, this treatment will improve the elasticity, tone, and texture of your skin.
How Does This Treatment Compare to Alternatives?
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy, just like ultrasound therapy, induces collagen production to reverse the signs of aging. The laser energy emits heat that stimulates collagen production in your dermis. Two of the most important chemical compounds in your skin are collagen and elastin. They support the structure of your skin, keeping it tight and smooth.
That said, laser therapy is not as effective as ultrasound therapy for providing the same effects of a facelift, brow lift, or neck lift. The results of laser therapy are more superficial and don’t last as long. On the other hand, the results of ultrasound therapy are incredibly durable and much more dramatic, encouraging collagen production in the foundational layers of the skin. Furthermore, laser therapy can only address mild-to-moderate skin tone concerns.
Injectables
Injectable dermal fillers are commonly used to correct lines and wrinkles caused by volume loss. Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers can, like laser therapy, address mild-to-moderate skin concerns. That said, these injectables can’t lift severely sagging skin. Additionally, the results of dermal fillers don’t last nearly as long. Specifically, hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers can correct mild-to-moderate skin concerns for six to 24 months. The location of the injections and the severity of the concerns affect the longevity of the results.
However, you should note injectable muscle relaxants are often performed in conjunction with ultrasound therapy. While ultrasound therapy is very effective for the correction of lax skin and pigmentation issues, only injectable muscle relaxants can smooth away dynamic wrinkles. The results of injectable muscle relaxants typically last between four and six months. Nevertheless, if you stick to a regular treatment schedule, the dynamic wrinkle-relaxing results will last longer.
A Non-Invasive Facelift
During an invasive facelift, the sagging facial skin is lifted physically, and sutures tighten the underlying tissue. There are no denying facelifts provide dramatic anti-aging results. That said, not everyone qualifies for a facelift. Additionally, not everyone has the time, money, or support to commit to a facelift. During the first 24 hours post-op, it is crucial to have a strong support system to assist with your recovery.
Ultrasound therapy targets the same deep tissues targeted by a facelift. It is rare for a non-invasive anti-aging treatment to accomplish this. Since ultrasound therapy stimulates collagen and elastin production in the foundational layers of the skin, the before-and-after results are just as dramatic as the results of a facelift without the downtime and severe restrictions.
What To Expect During Your Treatment Session
The first step in the ultrasound therapy process is cleansing the skin targeted for treatment. Then, an ultrasound gel will be applied to the treatment area. Once the ultrasound gel is applied, the Ulthera device will start to warm your skin gently. This warm sensation indicates the device is delivering ultrasound energy to the deepest layers of your skin, warming them. Many of our clients remark this treatment feels like a hot stone massage.
Your ultrasound therapy will be relaxing and enjoyable. Furthermore, there’s a good chance you’ll feel refreshed once it’s over. The average session takes between 30 and 90 minutes to complete depending on the scope of the treatment. For instance, your session may take 30 minutes if you are only treating your chest. If you are treating your chest, neck, and lower face, your session will take closer to 90 minutes to complete. Once your session is over, you are free to return to work. There is no recovery period required.
Other FAQs Answered
Is This Treatment Safe?
Yes, this FDA-approved treatment is completely safe for people who qualify. Several independent clinical trials have proven its safety definitively. In fact, this treatment is so safe it is one of the most commonly performed anti-aging treatments around the world. One of the reasons this treatment is so safe is the use of ultrasound technology to encourage your skin to produce extra collagen.
There are no incisions required. Synthetic chemicals aren’t being injected into your skin. Simply, ultrasound technology that has been used in the medical field for over five decades is used to deliver heat to the foundational layer of your skin. Since ultrasound energy is safe enough for pregnant women, you can feel confident this treatment will be safe for you if you qualify.
What Can I Expect During the Recovery Process?
Remember, there is no recovery time required following this treatment. You can return to your day as soon as your session is over. One of the most significant advantages associated with this treatment is there is minimal planning required. You don’t have to worry about redness or other side effects affecting your ability to return to work with confidence.
What Areas Can I Target?
Ultrasound therapy is most commonly used to reverse loose skin affecting the lower face. That said, it can be used virtually anywhere, including:
- Thighs
- Upper face
- Midface
- Arms
- Legs
- Buttocks
- Abdomen
Learn More About Tightening Loose Skin Today
If you’re dissatisfied with the appearance of skin laxity, Ultherapy may be right for you. To learn more about this life-changing treatment, please contact us today at Rejuvalase Medical Spa in Santa Barbara, CA to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Gregory Keller.
