Introducing Ultherapy
Keeping with our commitment to introduce the most advanced aesthetic technology, we proudly introduce Ultherapy, the latest FDA approved ultrasound-based medical device to achieve nonsurgical skin tightening and face and neck lifting with no down time. California Dermatology Care under the leadership of Dr. William Ting is the most experienced Ultherapy Clinic in the East Bay and beyond. Nearly half of our patients can feel the skin tightening of the face and neck right after the Ultherapy treatment and their immediate clinical progress can be confirmed with photographic documentation.
As the skin matures, collagen fibers that provide internal support become worn. Ultherapy’s ultrasound energy reaches deep below the surface of your skin to initiate your body’s own natural repair process. Over time, this results in the creation of new, healthy, strong collagen and a variety of positive skin changes. Because the rejuvenation process occurs naturally, results occur gradually. Just as strengthening muscles or growing taller takes time and is not evident from day to day, the effects of Ultherapy build slowly and subtly. In this world of immediate feedback, we want to reassure you that patience is a virtue, and that results can take two to three months to unfold. See following video animation showing how energy is delivered at 4.5 mm and 3 mm deep, and initiates the tissue repair cascade:
Responsiveness varies from patient to patient, and, occasionally, the results are “subclinical”; that is, the collagen rebuilding on the inside that helps counter the effects of gravity does not have a visible effect on the outside. Some patients may benefit from more than one treatment.
• In the early days following treatment, patients commonly report some lifting, a firmer skin feel and, as an added bonus, a smoothing out of fine lines. While this immediate “plumping effect” can be temporary, it signals that the beneficial process of new collagen generation has begun.
• Additional skin firming, toning and actual lifting is reported to occur over the next 2-3 months after the treatment (and sometimes longer). This can take the form of:
– elevation of the brow, leading to an opening up of the eye area, reduced hooding of the eyelids, softening of the wrinkles around the eyes, and a more “rested” appearance in general
– a shifting of the cheek tissue upward for an overall ovaling effect of the lower 2/3 of face
– an improvement in the folds and lines around the nose and mouth
– reduced sagging under the chin
• Reduced pore size and a more even skin color
View Face & Neck Lift Before and After Gallery
ULTHERAPY Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ultherapy?
Our faces can tell many stories, and while wrinkles might say ‘experience,’ droopiness can say ‘tired.’ Surgery has always been an option, but now there’s Ultherapy, a non-surgical ultrasound treatment for counteracting the effects of time and gravity on your skin. The beauty of this 30-60 minute face and neck treatment is that it uses the body’s own regenerative response to gently and gradually restore memory to the skin and underlying tissue support.
How does the Ultherapy procedure work?
As with other ultrasound procedures, a smooth applicator placed upon your skin projects an image onto a screen that allows your practitioner to plan where the energy will be directed. This same applicator is then used to deliver low levels of focused heat to just the right depth below the skin to achieve a positive effect, all the while leaving the surface of your skin undisturbed. Your skin’s response to the energy is to stimulate the growth of new collagen. A gradual tightening and firming occurs, resulting in a natural lift of the skin over time.
How is this procedure different than other cosmetic procedures?
Ultherapy is the only non-surgical skin rejuvenation procedure that uses ultrasound to see below the surface of the skin and to
specifically target the deep foundational layer of tissue that doctors address in surgery. The ability to treat not just the skin but its underlying support very precisely, from the inside out, helps to ensure both safe and satisfying results, with no down time.
What does it feel like?
There can be some discomfort while the energy is being delivered, but it is temporary, and a signal that the collagen-building process has been initiated. Comfort thresholds vary from patient to patient. Dr. Ting will offer mild sedation for all patients who desire a pleasant experience with minimal discomfort. Patients typically leave comfortable and excited about the benefits to come.
What can I expect afterwards?
You are able to return to your normal activities right away, and there are no special measures you need to take. Your skin may appear a bit flushed immediately after the treatment, but any redness should disappear within a few hours. It is not uncommon to experience slight swelling for a few days following the procedure or tingling/tenderness to the touch for a few weeks following the procedure, but these are mild and temporary in nature. There is the possibility of other less common post-procedural effects, such as temporary small areas of bruising or numbness, which Dr. Ting will review with you.
Is Ulthera safe?
Ultrasound energy has a proven track record, with over 50 years of use in the field of medicine, and clinical trials have demonstrated the safety.
What kind of result can I expect?
With just one treatment, the regenerative process is initiated, but the full effect will build gradually over the course of two to three months. Some patients may benefit from more than one treatment. Visible effects include a lifting and toning of sagging skin. In the FDA clinical trial for instance, nine out of ten patients had a noticeable, significant lift of the brow line. This resulted in reduced skin laxity on the eyelid and a more open, youthful look to the eyes overall. Patients reported firmer, better-fitting skin in other areas of the face and neck as well. There is also an invisible result from the procedure with the creation of new collagen, which can help to slow.
Who is a good candidate?
A good candidate for Ultherapy is someone with skin that has “relaxed” to the point of looking, and often feeling, less firm. A lowered brow line or sagging skin on the eyelids, for instance, is often the first sign of “maturing” skin. While it does not duplicate the results of surgery, Ultherapy has proven to be an inviting alternative for those who are not ready for surgery.
How does Ultherapy compare with Thermage?
Both Ultherapy and Thermage offer proprietary nonsurgical modalities to deliver skin tightening and lifting of face and neck. Thermage uses radiofrequency energy delivery system whereas Ultherapy utilizes external ultrasound energy delivery technology to bring about retraction of deep tissues underneath the skin and stimulation of collagen offering consistent clinical results. Dr. Ting’s experience with Thermage indicates better results for minimizing skin textural changes and laxities where as Ultherapy may offer greater lifting of face and neck. Many of Dr. Ting’s patients alternate between Ultherapy with Thermage every 6-12 months to postpone needs for surgical facelift procedure.
Go to www.FaceUpLifting.com for more before & after photos, media coverage, patient brochures
*Patient education matters to us. The information on this page has been reviewed by the board-certified dermatologists of California Dermatology Care. If you have any questions about our procedures or treatments, please get in touch with us today.
View Before & After Photos