Does Ulthera, as it goes past the fat layer to the SMS layer dissipate the facial fat? (Photo)

Question

Is there any way to measure (test) this? Like with an ultrasound before and after? My understanding is that Collagen will be stimulated and that the results last up to two years; but after two years will there be both less collagen and less fat?

Rian A. Maercks, MD · Answer

The short answer is yes, heating little tiny points underneath your skin with devices like Ulthera cause fat atrophy and tissue destruction.  It works by creating wounds that you dont see that heal with the formation of scar tissue.  There will always be loss of healthy soft tissue volume with procedures like this and I urge you to stay away.  I dont think there is anything too horrible about using these devices at the jaw line and below but they have no place on the face and frankly there are more effective ways of getting noninvasive neck tightening.  I use a combination of five different energy delivery systems that we call MMT (Maercks Multimodal Therapy) and get what I believe are the best safest results that noninvasive interventions can deliver.  Still about half of patients that come to my practice seeking MMT are either turned away or recommended for surgery.  There is no magic wand and the most important part of your treatment is a thoughtful practitioner that can help you select the best intervention from the array of noninvasive, minimallly invasive and surgical options.  Rather than follow predatory marketing of a business, find an ethical well trained and experienced plastic surgeon- you will be in much better hands!  I hope this helps!All the best,Rina A. Maercks M.D.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

The ultrasonic energy that is delivered through the skin during Ultherapy does not heat the epidermis or dermis as it passes down to the deep layers.  The physician can see on the ultrasound monitor the exact level that he or she will be treating.  The fat layer is not targeted as no tightening is expected in that tissue.The improved collagen in quality and quantity persists after Ultherapy but the aging process continues to degrade the preexisting collagen and fat.

Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD · Answer

Focused ultrasound does not impact tissue as it "passes through" since nothing happens elsewhere other than at the pinpoint focal point. So fat loss is not an issue.Aging doesn't stop - any treatment meant to affect collagen only has so much leverage and once the action of a procedure stops, then the natural aging process picks up again ...with the attendant natural degradation of collagen and volume loss..With Ultherapy you get a new starting point of sorts with the contouring and lift. The recovery action lasts about 6 months when it reaches its full potential and then stops. But you have that new starting point. We'd all love it if a procedure kept us at a stand still, but that's impossible. Backing up a little with tightening and lifting and volume replacement is a nice way to look a little younger and enjoy younger contours for a longer period of time.We love the collagen-stimulation of Sculptra and the longevity of Voluma.filler to take the place of lost collagen, lost fat and bony support loss.Combining either or both with the lift effect of Ultherapy has some distinct advantages because they are all easily performed outside of the surgical arena. Since volume loss tends to be a perpetual event, some maintenance treatment is called for if you want to slow down the visual effects of the aging clock.

Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Sunny,The SMAS layer is actually located above the fat layer, so the fat layer is not affected during the treatment. The production of new collagen after an ultherapy treatment will tone and tighten the skin of your face. Even though the fat layer is not affected, by the ultherapy treatment the tightening of your skin will provide a slimming appearance. This makes it a win win situation! If you are in the LA area, feel free to contact us for an in-person consultation. You will be very happy with your Ultherapy results. Good luck in your research!

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

There are two key features to Ultherapy: One is that the ultrasound is microfocused, meaning the tissue response is located precisely without affecting the layers through which the ultrasound passes before the focal point. The other is the imaging component, which allows visualization of the desired layer where the treatment is applied. For these reasons, the fat layer is not affected. It is also not true that there is less collagen after a period of time, if anything there would be more.

Does Ulthera, as it goes past the fat layer to the SMS layer dissipate the facial fat? (Photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Does Ultherapy affect the fat layer?

Answer: Does Ultherapy affect the fat layer?

Answer: Ultherapy targets with precision

Answer: Ultherapy targets with precision

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Everything you need to know about Ultherapy

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Does Ulthera, as it goes past the fat layer to the SMS layer dissipate the facial fat? (Photo)

Answers (8)

Answer: Does Ultherapy affect the fat layer?

Answer: Does Ultherapy affect the fat layer?

Answer: Ultherapy targets with precision

Answer: Ultherapy targets with precision

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Ultherapy

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