A: Ultrasound energy can heat and tighten the face & neck      

   By Lisa Misell, Ph.D., VP of Clinical & Medical Affairs, Ulthera, Inc.

With Ultherapy, we are basically heating small, targeted amounts of soft tissue below the surface of the skin to a point where the tissue will contract and the body will create new collagen. In order to achieve a significant lifting effect, the right amount of heat needs to be delivered to the right depths of tissue, and only the Ultherapy technology is capable of accomplishing both-- without injuring the surface of the skin.

So what you are feeling during an Ultherapy treatment is actually tiny amounts of concentrated ultrasound energy being deposited deep below the surface--first into the skin’s deep foundational layer that is targeted in a facelift, and then into the skin itself. The resulting heat deposited by Ultherapy can be fleetingly intense at times and is actually a positive signal that collagen building process has been initiated.

The degree and nature of any discomfort will vary from patient to patient and from area to area on the face/neck, with bony areas being more sensitive. There can be some temporary, small areas of numbing or sensitivity to touch after the procedure, but patients are consistently comfortable immediately following the treatment and experience no downtime.

During your consultation, ask your practitioner to discuss the various measures they can employ prior to and during the treatment to maximize your comfort. These can range from relaxation techniques to cooling fans and stress balls to medications. Most patients find that any discomfort experienced during the treatment is worth the results they see over time. In fact, it’s nice to have one side of the face treated to start and ask to look in a mirror before the second side is treated. Any slight improvement can be an encouraging preview of the benefits to come!

Speak with a local doctor about Ultherapy »