There are a number of reasons to want a facelift. But there are also as many factors to avoid going under the knife.
For people who want some benefits of a facelift without the drastic procedure, Ulthera may be the answer.
“Ulthera is ultrasound technology,” says Dr. Aivee Teo. “The energy employed reaches down to the underlying muscle tissue in order to jumpstart collagen production from the inside out. Ulthera initiates a stronger process of lifting, tightening and toning the skin to smooth wrinkles, diminish facial folds, retract skin in the area of forehead, jawline and neck to restore a more youthful facial definition.”
The machine is applied over topical anesthesia. Though some people with low pain tolerance ask to be put under general anesthesia, others find the pain tolerable.
Aivee, who recently won an award for the large number of Ulthera procedures accomplished at the Aivee clinics, considers the treatment revolutionary, thanks to its low-risk, high-reward benefits.
“The good thing about Ulthera is that it is a one-time treatment, it doesn’t have any downtime, and by far is the better choice for patients who want long-term benefits and visible results,” she says.
But don’t expect an intensely taut visage or the skin of a 12-year-old. Like any nonsurgical option, this recourse offers less risk while providing reasonably improved results.
“It won’t duplicate the results of a facelift,” Aivee points out. “But Ultherapy is clinically proven as an alternative for those patients who are not ready for surgery.”
Downtime is limited as there’s no surgery. Expect tenderness, and some bruising. “After treatment, the skin might appear flushed at first, but redness should disappear within a few hours,” she adds.
Don’t expect immediate results. “The first thing that patients will notice is that the skin is tightened and elasticity is more evident. After a month, your cheeks and neck are visibly smaller.”
Since the treatment is about building up collagen, it takes time for your body to renew the material. In three months, you should expect to see more radical changes: a more defined jaw, tighter skin.
So, who qualifies for the treatment? There’s no hard and fast rule. Aivee recommends consulting with the doctor first.
“The doctor will base it on the quality of the skin, and its ability to form new collagen is really the determining factor. Older men and women and those who’ve lost a lot of weight are great candidates for this,” she says. “But of course, Ulthera is nonsurgical, so they might require two sessions at least for them to see best results.”