Is Ultherapy vs. Silhouette Lift vs. Sublime laser better to tighten midface/jawline?

Question

I am considering Ultherapy vs. Silhouette Lift vs. Sublime laser to tighten slightly saggy cheeks that have also lost some volume and tighten my jawline. I am 5'5", 127 pounds and have a low tolerance for pain which is why I've resisted Ultherapy. Which one of these treatments lasts the longest?

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Photos would have been extremely helpful. What I can say is that before you dive headlong into treatment with any of the so-called "next big thing," bells and whistles devices or techniques, you should do proper due diligence. To date, these devices and techniques appear to be far more backed by device or product manufacturer supported marketing hype than hard science. Many years ago, when permanent threads were available, I stopped threadlifting, a miminally invasive technique that engendered post-treatment downtime, after discovering that the results of treatment did not last nearly as long as promised by the manufacturer. Not long after Contour, the manufacturer of these threads, ceased production of the threads altogether. So, if the results of permanent threads did not last more than about 9-12 months, need I say more about the likelihood of today's dissolving threads really lasting much longer?  If you are looking for a non-invasive, relatively painless approach to facial lifting, tightening, and recontouring, check out the archives of RealSelf.com regarding the uses of injectable volumizing fillers to help lift and contour the cheeks, mid-face, straighten jowly jawlines and augment receding chins. These procedures take only about five minutes per side to perform in experienced hands, engender little discomfort or post-procedure downtime, and in the case of the cheeks results may last up to two years with the use of robust volumizing fillers, such as Voluma XC and Restylane Lyft, which I use in my NY practice and Stylage XXL and Hyabell Deep, which I use in my Israel satellite facility, where a far greater number of regulatory agency approved volumizing fillers are available. Make sure that you consult with a board certified aesthetic physician and be certain to ask to see his/her personal before and after photos before agreeing to proceed. Best of luck.

Dean P. Kane, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear rumona, Your perception has been heard. I believe that most "laser" tightening procedures fail because the patient cannot tolerate the pain and so the peak temperature required to obtain tightening is not reached; then the patient does not complete the number of sessions required. "Laser" penetration of the powered device (laser, ultrasound, RF, etc) must reach a dermal temperature where the collagen is heated causing shrinkage and damage for the skin to contract and a controlled inflammatory response of secondary collagen formation. This flash-of-power hurts. Options include other collagen inducing and skin contracting procedures like:Retinoids topicallySculptraThermiTIGHT which is performed under the skin, with a radio-frequency, gradually elevating temperature controlled probe with local anesthetic.Use of dermal and sub-dermal PDO and PLLA injectable threads such as EuroThreads. Silhouette InstaLift is also a dissolvable thread used in the deep subcutaneous layer to lift the fat and soft-tissues and its collagen inducing effects are not expected to reach the dermis. So, totally different modalities for different effects.  Surgery lasts the longest and minimally effects skin texture.  I recommend EuroThreads at the dermis and SMAS.I hope this is helpful. All the best!

Yael Halaas, MD · Answer

While all of these treatments do work well, it also depends on what you are looking for.  Silhouette Lift gives an instant lift using absorbable threads.  Other treatments may take longer to see a result.  However, Silhouette Lift is not painful and can be performed with topical anesthesia if needed.

Is Ultherapy vs. Silhouette Lift vs. Sublime laser better to tighten midface/jawline?

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Is Ultherapy vs. Silhouette Lift vs. Sublime laser better to tighten midface/jawline?

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Everything you need to know about Silhouette InstaLift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.