By Dr Paul Yow
One of the most hyped up topic in recent years has got to be “anti-ageing”, a term widely favoured by brands marketing various products and services as let’s face it, who doesn’t want to be forever young?
Ultherapy has been one of the very same treatments that have been consistently lumped in with this catchphrase so we decided to shed some light on what exactly Ultherapy is all about and how it can help fight the signs of ageing.
Ultherapy is a U.S. FDA-approved treatment that uses micro-focused ultrasound to tighten and lift the skin. The heat generated from the ultrasound pulses creates specific coagulation zones at different depths within the skin. This targeted heating allows the treatment to achieve the desired firming or tightening effects safely without harming the surface of the skin.
In addition, Ultherapy remains uniquely positioned amongst the various energy devices due to the ability for ultrasound visualisation of the treated tissues in real-time to ensure the maximal safety and efficacy of each shot delivered.
As we age, several things happen:
With each Ultherapy treatment, there is immediate contraction and denaturation of collagen due to the heat generated from each ultrasound pulse. This provides the lift and immediate tightening of the tissues targeted. Subsequently, the body’s healing response is triggered to further stimulate and produce collagen which strengthens the targeted regions (SMAS layer). The heat from the ultrasound energy simultaneously contours the face by reducing unwanted facial fats.
Before the procedure, there will be a detailed consultation to ensure that Ultherapy is the most appropriate treatment to address your concerns.
If suitable, your face is gently cleaned and a topical numbing cream is applied for roughly 30 minutes to ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible.
Unfortunately, as with most procedures, there will be some heat and discomfort due to the energy used but the phrase to remember is “no pain, no gain”! That being said, we also offer local anaesthesia at Mizu, which allows the procedure to be a lot more manageable and most patients tolerate it just fine.
Post-procedure, we cleanse the face once again before applying moisturiser and sunscreen. Optimal results usually start to show around three months and a complimentary review is scheduled around that time to follow up on the results and plan for further treatments as necessary.
The ideal candidate would be someone in their mid-20s till mid-50s, with mild to moderate skin laxity and excess facial fats. This is also suitable for those who are keen on a non-surgical approach to treatment.
If you’d like to find out more about these treatments and which would be more suitable for your face type, check out our blog post on “Which anti-ageing treatment are you most suited for“.
You can check for the list of clinics certified providers of Ultherapy by checking in with their official website here. After finding a certified clinic, I strongly encourage a face-to-face consult where your needs can be analysed and an appropriate and personalised treatment plan can be crafted to give you the best possible results.
Dr Paul Yow is an Aesthetic Doctor at Mizu Aesthetic Clinic.
He graduated with an MBBS from Monash University and has a Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (GDFM) from NUS as well as a Diploma in Dermatology with Cardiff University, UK.
Due to his approachable and gentle nature, Dr Paul Yow builds good connections with his patients, and is careful and detailed. He maintains an affable side while being respectful, and takes time to understand his patients’ needs.
If you’d like to speak to a doctor about Ultherapy, drop us a message by clicking on the link below.
