Ultherapy® is a revolutionary skin tightening and lifting procedure from Merz, a private pharmaceutical company based in Germany. Though it made waves during its global introduction in 2008, people still wonder, “Is it for me? Will it hurt? Is it expensive?”

Below are the most common misconceptions about Ultherapy®, and why it’s important to separate fact from fiction.

1) Ultherapy® uses radio frequency.

Radio Frequency (RF) machines make use of electromagnetic waves between 1 km and 1 cm, and mainly tighten skin by focusing on its surface or the more superficial tissue. Several treatments in a year are usually recommended when it comes to RF because although the comfort level is high, the penetration isn’t as deep.

Ultherapy® uses ultrasound technology to focally tighten the deeper layers of the skin. In fact, Ultherapy® goes as deep as 3 mm to 4.5 mm beneath the surface. Treating the deeper layers of skin facilitates tightening and lifting from deep inside, and this results in more prolonged and dramatic results.

This is also why Ultherapy® can be done once every six months or annually. I personally have the procedure twice a year because I tend to need it more based on my facial structure—my jowls are prone to sagging, and I’ve noticed a slight double chin now that I’ve hit 40.

The goal of Ultherapy, aside from jumpstarting collagen production, is to create better symmetry for one’s face by improving the appearance of large jowls, a double chin and droopy brows.

2) You will look “done” after procedure

On the contrary, there’s no downtime or significant difference right after the procedure, although some patients notice a rejuvenated appearance after. Results gradually become noticeable after one month post-treatment, and even more visible three months thereafter.

The reason it takes a while to see significant changes is because Ultherapy® works by delivering just the right amount of ultrasound energy under the skin to jumpstart the regenerative process that produces fresh and new collagen, and this may take some time to accomplish.

Ultherapy® is also unique in that it combines treatment delivery with imaging for enhanced safety and consistent patient results. It utilizes a patented ultrasound technology called DeepSEE® which provides real-time ultrasound visualization of the skin.

A treatment line is superimposed over this image to show where energy will be delivered. This “See & Treat” technology lets clinicians verify energy is being delivered at the correct tissue depth and avoid sub-dermal structures such as the bone. Other non-invasive devices, including radio frequency, force clinicians to essentially treat in a rather “blind” manner.

The author six months post-treatment, sporting a muchmore defined jawline and no more signs of a double chin

3) The procedure takes a long time, and has a long recovery period.

In my experience, Ultherapy® can take anywhere between an hour to an hour and a half, and will be quick or take long, depending on your comfort level. Some patients experience zero discomfort, and this allows the doctor to proceed with the treatment without any delays whatsoever. If a patient feels some discomfort, the doctor may pause between pulses to give the patient time to feel comfortable while the procedure is being carried out.

There are also those who opt to focus on certain areas like the jawline or neck, and choose to forego other areas like the forehead or brow bone area, and this may influence the total time it takes to complete the procedure.

There is absolutely no downtime, although one may feel slight discomfort along the cheeks/jowls. The discomfort may be likened to the feeling when you’ve chewed on something for a long time but the feeling goes away pretty soon after.

American surgeon Dr. Stephen Marquartdt developed ‘The Mask of Divine Proportion’ as a measurement of classic beauty to help plastic surgeons align facial features for more symmetrical accuracy, based on a series of rectangles, triangles and decagons.

4) The procedure is painful.

The comfort level of a patient will depend on his/her pain tolerance. However, since Ultherapy® uses different depth levels, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5mm, the patient has the option to work with the most comfortable level. It’s also important to note that the sensation felt is limited to the time when the ultrasound energy is being delivered, and does not linger afterwards.

I’ve done Ultherapy® several times at Aivee Aguilar-Teo’s clinic where they’ve used ice to numb the area, and I’ve found that this dramatically reduces discomfort while having the procedure done.

EgyptianQueen Nefertiti and Angelina Jolie are said to have “perfect” facial proportions.

5) You have to repeat the procedure several times in a year.

There’s no need to repeat the procedure several times because, unlike procedures that work on the skin’s surface only, Ultherapy® works on the deeper layers of skin, and this triggers collagen production that lasts up to a year, and in some patients, up to three years even.

Using the authentic Ulthera® system, Ultherapy® is a non-surgical procedure that utilizes micro-focused ultrasound to lift and tighten skin on the brow, under the chin, neck and chest. It stimulates the body’s own natural healing process which jumpstarts the production of fresh, new collagen.

The use of safe and time-tested ultrasound technology enables physicians to see and then treat the deepest support layers of the skin without cutting or disrupting the surface.

Ultherapy® is available in over 60 countries. In the Philippines, Ultherapy® is offered in 27 accredited clinics.

Visit https://locator.ultherapy.com/philippines for the full list.