Cosmetic Services
Ultherapy
Ultherapy by Ulthera at Greenbrae Dermatology is a skin tightening procedure that does not require the invasive, painful cuts and incisions that are associated with plastic surgery. Unlike Thermage which used Radio-Frequency, this procedure uses high-frequency sound waves to boost collagen production and tighten skin far below the epidermal layer, where aging of the skin truly begins.* Ultherapy is most often used on the face and neck, as the treatment is designed to contour and firm the tissue those areas.
This “sonic” sound based facelift is a procedure that can be performed in less than an hour and requires minimal healing time, which may be an advantage for those who are looking for an anti-aging treatment that won’t interfere with their daily schedule.* Ultherapy is generally approved for all skin types, but those who have skin problems such as chronic acne or Rosacea should consult with their dermatologist before beginning treatment.
How Ultherapy works?
During the Ultherapy procedure, your provider will use high-frequency sound waves to penetrate the epidermis of the skin, as well as the underlying soft tissue. These sound waves are meant to target specific areas, where the energy is focused and increased in order to firm muscle layers that laser treatments cannot reach.* Ultherapy’s sound wave energy is thought to tighten skin by boosting collagen production as well.
This collagen production is thought to continue well after Ultherapy treatment takes place, smoothing and plumping the skin of the neck and the face to get rid of wrinkles and fine lines.* Ultherapy treatments have been approved by the FDA, which may give patients peace of mind when they are considering this course of treatment for their wrinkles, but keep in mind that this does not mean that the procedure is appropriate for your specific situation.*
What to Expect during Ultherapy Treatment
During Ultherapy, your provider may use a topical numbing cream on your skin if you request it, or may advise you to take an over-the-counter medication before your treatment in order to dull any discomfort you may experience during the procedure. The provider will then apply sonogram gel to your skin and use the Ultherapy wand to precisely deliver short, sonic bursts to your skin.
Depending on your sensitivity to pain, you may find the process mildly to moderately uncomfortable.* In most cases, when the face and the neck are treated together, Ultherapy takes about an hour to complete. More focused sessions that target a specific area of the face may take as little as 20 to 30 minutes, but it’s important that you give yourself enough time both before and after the treatment to relax.
Once the Ultherapy procedure is complete, you will be allowed to go home unless there are unexpected complications. Since this is a non-invasive procedure, you should be able to resume normal activities right away and experience minimal side effects.* Patients should see results within 3 to 4 weeks and then steady improvement over the following months.*
Ultherapy Side Effects
With Ultherapy, some people have experienced mild to moderate swelling after the procedure, which usually goes away within 24 hours.* Others have reported skin and muscle soreness, but this side effect is also temporary.* Overall, there are few side effects associated with Ultherapy, but an open and honest discussion with your dermatologist is still the best way to figure out if this treatment option is right for you.*
*Disclaimer, results may vary from person to person.