Loose skin is one of the most common complaints among patients with the visible effects of aging. While some surgical procedures can correct skin laxity, they require downtime and discomfort, and not everyone wants to or can commit to surgery. At San Diego Aesthetics & Med Spa in La Mesa, CA, we offer a non-invasive and non-surgical treatment called Ultherapy® that uses natural methods to visibly tighten the skin and improve skin elasticity.
What Is Ultherapy®?
Ultherapy® is the only FDA-approved professional skin care treatment that can lift the skin on the brow, face, chin, and neck while also improving the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the upper chest.
This treatment device uses ultrasound energy to lift and tighten the skin by increasing natural collagen and elastin production in the deeper layers. We can use it to target the same tissue addressed during a surgical facelift or neck lift, but our techniques don't involve incisions, sutures, or any surgical aspects.
How Does Ultherapy Work?
The Ultherapy® device is equipped with a digital imaging system so that as the technician uses the handpiece to deliver the ultrasound energy deep into the tissues of your skin, they'll also be able to see images of the deeper layers of tissue during treatment. This imaging technology allows us to deliver uniform amounts of energy into the areas where you need it most. This advanced technology is key to providing customized and precise results.
Before we begin treatment, we'll apply a specialized gel to your skin. Once we activate the device, you'll feel the energy as the handpiece deposits it into your skin's deeper layers to stimulate collagen production. You can expect a comfortable treatment and won't need anesthesia to endure your session.
Ultherapy Treatment Results
Ultherapy treatment is used on mildly to moderately loose or sagging skin on the face and neck. Results, however, vary from patient to patient, and on the condition and quality of the skin being treated.
Treatment that "lifts" the brow reduces excess skin on the eyelids, making the eyes look more open. Treatment that lifts and tightens sagging skin on the neck and under the chin eliminates or reduces a double chin or "turkey-gobbler."
Although some patients may see immediate improvement, results of Ultherapy treatment are usually apparent within two to three months, during which old collagen is replaced with new, more elastic collagen. At six months, full benefits are attained. Most patients need only one treatment, but those with significant issues may require more. It is possible for results to last up to a year.
What Can Ultherapy Treat?
Sagging Skin on the Face, Neck, and Décolletage
Over time, factors like aging, sun exposure, and a gradual decline in collagen production lead to sagging skin across the face, neck, and décolletage. As collagen diminishes, skin loses its natural elasticity which makes certain areas loose or droopy. Non-invasive facelifts with Ultherapy stimulate collagen production deep within the skin to lift and firm these areas.
Drooping Eyebrows or Eyelids
Drooping eyebrows and eyelids result from weakened skin and muscle tissue around the eyes, compounded by gravity and repetitive facial expressions. If you look tired or older than you feel, Ultherapy can lift and tighten the delicate skin in these areas.
Loose Skin Under the Chin
The area under the chin is particularly prone to loose, sagging skin, often called a "turkey neck." Ultherapy helps reverse the breakdown of structural proteins like collagen and elastin. It can tone and firm the skin under the chin to make the contour smooth and firm again.
Jowls Along the Jawline
Jowls, which form along the jawline as facial tissue sags, are a common complaint for those concerned about aging and collagen loss. Ultherapy can restore the definition of your jawline with results that can be seen right away and that improve over time. This jawline treatment can be performed without any injections or surgery.
Fine Lines and Wrinkles on the Face and Chest
Fine lines and wrinkles emerge when collagen depletion, repetitive movements, and environmental damage cause the skin to lose its smooth texture. These creases can be particularly noticeable around the eyes and mouth. Wrinkle treatments with Ultherapy soften these lines and create smoother, firmer skin. This non-invasive approach allows for targeted improvements while maintaining a natural look.
Uneven Skin Texture
Uneven skin texture often stems from aging, sun damage, or reduced cellular turnover, which can leave your skin feeling rough or looking dull. We use treatments like Ultherapy to improve skin quality from the inside out.
What Are the Benefits of Ultherapy?
Ultherapy® has been referred to as the non-surgical facelift because it can safely tighten and lift the skin using completely non-surgical techniques. It uses soundwave energy to heat the dermal tissues to produce real, natural-looking results.
Other treatment benefits include the following:
- Treatments are relatively quick
- There's no social downtime
- Results appear gradually
- Most patients only need one treatment
- There are no surgical methods used during treatment
- It can delay the need for an invasive skin-tightening procedure
- Treatments are completely customizable
- The entire treatment process is safe.
Preparing for Your Ultherapy Treatment
Before your Ultherapy session, we’ll meet with you to review your goals and make sure you’re a good candidate for this treatment. Preparation is simple—there’s no need for significant pre-treatment steps, but we do recommend staying hydrated and avoiding excessive sun exposure leading up to your appointment. On the day of your session, it’s best to come with clean skin, free of makeup, creams, or lotions. If you’re prone to sensitivity, let us know since we can provide options to promote your comfort throughout the process.
What Are Ultherapy Treatments Like?
When you come in for your Ultherapy session, we’ll cleanse the skin and we may also mark the treatment area to map out the optimal application points. Many patients describe the sensation as mild heat or tingling beneath the skin. Most non-invasive facelift sessions last between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the area being treated, and you can resume your regular activities immediately afterward.
How to Maximize Your Ultherapy Results
To get the most out of your Ultherapy treatment, focus on supporting your skin’s natural healing process. Keep drinking water, eat a healthy diet with plenty of nutrients, and follow a consistent skincare routine that includes collagen-boosting ingredients like retinol or peptides. You should continue being diligent about sunscreen use. Extended exposure to the sun could cause your skin to lose more collagen and could cause your results to be shorter-lived. Results develop gradually over the next three to six months as collagen builds, and you may notice ongoing improvements with each passing week. For long-lasting benefits, we can discuss a maintenance schedule.
FAQs About Ultherapy
Is There Downtime After Ultherapy?
There's no social downtime after an Ultherapy® treatment. You can resume all your normal daily activities as soon as your appointment ends. As with any professional skin care treatment, it's essential that you use quality sunscreen to protect your skin from accelerated aging, drink plenty of water, and follow the aftercare that your technician provides you with.
How Long Do Ultherapy Treatments Take?
A partial Ultherapy® treatment can take up to 30 minutes, while more thorough treatments that address the face, neck, and chest can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes. When we design your treatment plan, we can give you more details about what you can expect from your treatment so you can plan accordingly.
What Areas Does Ultherapy Treat?
We can design a customizable Ultherapy® treatment plan to address loose and sagging skin on the face and neck. We can use the device to target the eyelids and brow area, the middle and lower half of the face, and the area beneath the chin where skin laxity can create a double chin effect.
When Can I Expect Results After Ultherapy?
Most patients notice the best results within the first eight to twelve weeks of their first treatment. The ultrasound energy will stimulate natural collagen production, and the body will replace that older collagen with newer and healthier collagen. The most visible results are visible six months post-treatment.
How Many Ultherapy Treatments Will I Need?
Most patients only need one treatment to achieve their desired results. However, patients with more advanced signs of aging and more significant skin laxity may need more than one session to adequately stimulate enough collagen and elastin to address their primary concerns. When we meet with you during your initial consultation to evaluate your skin, we can determine the best treatment plan based on your concerns, goals, and needs.
How Long Will My Ultherapy Results Last?
After your treatment, you'll see natural-looking results and tighter and lifted skin. These results can last for a year or longer. You can also schedule maintenance treatments when the aging process begins to affect your appearance again. We can give you more details about how often you should schedule maintenance treatments to maintain your youthful results long-term.
Is Ultherapy® a Substitute for a Surgical Facelift?
This treatment will not replicate the exact result of a surgical facelift, but it can come close. It's a good option for patients not interested in or ready to commit to a surgical facelift to address how the aging process has changed their appearance.
It can lift and tighten the skin in a way that regular skin care treatments cannot, but it won't replicate the results of a surgical procedure. It doesn't require significant recovery or discomfort like a facelift, and it will help you naturally reverse the aging process and enjoy long-lasting results.
Am I a Good Candidate for Ultherapy?
The best candidates for this treatment are patients with skin laxity on their face or neck or who have lines and wrinkles on their chest and want a non-surgical solution that can naturally improve their appearance. This treatment is effective for patients in their 30s and beyond with mild to moderate loose skin. Whether you have significant aging-related concerns or want to get one step ahead of the aging process, we can customize a treatment plan that's right for you.
Can Ultherapy Be Combined With Other Treatments?
Ultherapy can often be combined with other treatments to enhance your results. While Ultherapy focuses on deep skin tightening, treatments like dermal fillers or Botox® can address more surface-level concerns such as fine lines or volume loss. We’ll work with you to create a personalized plan based on your goals and make sure each treatment complements the others for natural-looking results.
Is Ultherapy a Good Preventative Treatment?
Ultherapy can be a great choice for patients looking to maintain youthful skin before significant sagging or wrinkles develop. Since it promotes collagen production deep within the skin, it acts as a proactive measure to slow visible signs of aging. Patients in their 30s and 40s often opt for this treatment as a non-surgical facelift alternative to keep their skin firm and lifted as they age. By starting treatments early, you can build and preserve your skin’s structure, minimizing the need for more invasive options later on.
How Much Does Ultherapy Cost?
The cost of Ultherapy varies depending on the areas being treated and the extent of the session. Smaller areas, such as the eyebrows or chin will have a different cost compared to full face or neck treatments. During your consultation, we’ll provide a detailed breakdown of the pricing based on your personalized treatment plan.
Learn More About Your Provider
At San Diego Aesthetics & Med Spa, we take pride in offering effective aesthetic medical services under the supervision of a licensed physician. As a small, woman-owned business, we prioritize a natural and minimalistic approach, ensuring treatments feel personalized. Our relaxed environment and commitment to the latest technologies allow us to address concerns like acne, sagging skin, sun damage, and more. Serving patients across La Mesa, San Diego, and nearby communities, we’re here to help you achieve your aesthetic goals with care and professionalism.
Tighten Your Skin in the Natural, Non-Surgical Way
You don't have to commit to a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of your skin or restore your youth. This treatment at San Diego Aesthetics & Med Spa has helped many patients reverse aging without surgery, recovery, or downtime. If you want more information about this skin-tightening treatment in La Mesa, CA, we can schedule an initial consultation to help you learn more and answer all your questions. Get in touch with us through our website or by calling (619) 303-0988.
