What Is Ulthera And How Does Ulthera Work?
Ulthera has been clinically studied and cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration for facial lifting, eyebrow lifting, defining the facial contour, reducing the appearance of a double chin, and improving wrinkles on the neck and upper chest.
How Does Ulthera Work?
Ulthera delivers focused ultrasound energy through the upper skin layers to specific depths selected by the doctor.
The energy creates tiny points of heat, approximately the size of a needle tip, within the targeted tissue. This process:
๐ Causes existing collagen fibres to contract
๐ Stimulates the production of new collagen, known as collagen neogenesis
๐ Encourages the production of additional elastin fibres
As a result, the skin becomes firmer and more elastic. The treatment may help reduce sagging and wrinkles while improving skin smoothness and creating a more youthful-looking appearance.
The depth and amount of energy used depend on the patient’s concerns and the doctor’s treatment plan.
One of the main targets is the SMAS, or Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System, which is located between the subcutaneous fat and muscle layers. This is the same tissue layer that surgeons tighten during a surgical facelift.
Energy may also be delivered to the dermal layer to improve skin quality. Some studies have found that treating the dermis with Ulthera may help reduce pigmentation, minimise the appearance of pores, and make the skin smoother.
Who Is Suitable for Ulthera?
Ulthera may be suitable for people with the following concerns:
1. Sagging Facial Skin
Suitable for those who want to lift and tighten loose facial skin.
2. Fine Lines and Uneven Skin
Suitable for people with fine wrinkles, thin skin, or an uneven skin texture.
3. An Undefined Facial Contour
It may help people with a less-defined jawline, a double chin, or excess tissue beneath the chin.
4. Loose Neck Skin
It may help improve sagging skin and horizontal lines on the neck.
5. Drooping Eyebrows
It may be used to lift the eyebrows or improve their shape so that they appear more balanced with the face.
6. Wrinkles on the Upper Chest
It may help improve creases and wrinkles on the décolletage.
What Determines the Effectiveness of Ulthera?
The effectiveness of Ulthera depends on several factors.
1. The Quality of the Device
The Ulthera device should be genuine, properly imported, and certified by the authorised distributor.
2. The Number of Treatment Lines
The number of lines should be appropriate for the treatment area and the severity of the concerns.
3. Correct Energy Placement
The doctor must assess the skin correctly and deliver the energy to the appropriate tissue depth.
4. The Doctor’s Technique and Experience
The doctor’s ability to analyse the problem and design a precise treatment plan plays an important role in the result.
How Many Ulthera Lines Are Needed?
The number of treatment lines depends on the doctor’s assessment. The following recommendations provide only a general estimate for the entire face, including the forehead and area beneath the chin.
Ages 20-30
This age group may receive prejuvenation treatment, which focuses on prevention before significant wrinkles or sagging develop.
๐ Starting from approximately 400 lines
Ages 30-40
This age group may receive rejuvenation treatment to improve early wrinkles and skin laxity.
๐ Starting from approximately 600 lines
Ages 40 and Above
Treatment usually focuses on correcting more noticeable sagging.
๐ Starting from approximately 800 lines
The number of lines may be increased or reduced depending on the actual condition of the skin.
Additional lines may also be required when treating other areas, such as the neck, or when focusing on a specific concern, such as eyebrow lifting.
Why Does Ulthera Use Different Treatment Depths?
Ulthera has several transducers that deliver energy to different skin depths. Each depth is designed to address different concerns and accommodate differences in skin thickness between individuals and treatment areas.
1.5-Millimetre Transducer
๐ Targets the upper skin layers
๐ Helps reduce fine lines
๐ Suitable for areas with thin skin, such as the forehead
3-Millimetre Transducer
๐ Stimulates collagen production
๐ Helps reduce skin laxity
๐ May reach the SMAS layer in some individuals
4.5-Millimetre Transducer
๐ Targets the SMAS layer
๐ Reaches the same tissue layer addressed during surgical facelift procedures
Ulthera Treatment Results
Some lifting may be noticeable immediately after treatment.
The lifting effect and skin quality will then gradually improve as the body produces new collagen. The most noticeable results generally develop within approximately 3-6 months.
The effects may last for around one year. After that, the natural ageing process continues, so annual treatment may be recommended to maintain a youthful-looking appearance.
For people receiving treatment for long-standing or more advanced concerns, a follow-up assessment after six months may be recommended to determine whether additional treatment is necessary.
How Is Ulthera SPT Different from Standard Ulthera?
Ulthera SPT uses the same Ulthera device. The difference is that SPT refers to a detailed treatment technique requiring greater precision and attention from the doctor.
Everyone has different skin thickness and tissue structures. Ulthera includes a real-time visualisation screen, allowing the doctor to see the skin layers during treatment and determine the exact depth of the target tissue.
This enables the doctor to design a personalised treatment plan for each area of the face.
SPT stands for See, Plan, and Treat.
See
The doctor uses ultrasound imaging to scan the tissue layers in each treatment area before delivering energy.
This helps the doctor select the most appropriate and precise treatment depth.
Plan
Once the doctor can clearly identify the target tissue, the number of lines and treatment depths can be planned for each area.
Treat
During treatment, the doctor continues to assess the tissue layers to ensure that energy is delivered accurately to the intended depth.
This precision may also help reduce discomfort and the risk of side effects.
Ulthera Versus a Surgical Facelift
A surgical facelift provides strong and immediate lifting and generally produces longer-lasting results because the facial tissues are surgically repositioned.
However, disadvantages may include:
๐ A recovery period
๐ Swelling and inflammation
๐ Bruising
๐ A more noticeable change in facial structure because the tissues are pulled away from the centre of the face
Ulthera may provide a visible lifting effect from the day of treatment, but the full result gradually develops over approximately 3-6 months.
Its advantages include:
๐ Natural-looking results
๐ No recovery period
๐ Immediate return to normal facial movement and daily activities
๐ Improvement in skin quality
๐ Firmer and stronger-looking skin
Ulthera Versus Other HIFU Devices
Ulthera and other HIFU devices use similar principles by delivering focused ultrasound energy into the skin.
However, Ulthera has an ultrasound screen that allows the doctor to see the tissue layers during treatment. This helps improve the accuracy and consistency of energy delivery.
Ulthera is also considered an original reference device in this category and has been supported by numerous clinical studies. The results may therefore be more precise, noticeable, and longer lasting when treatment is planned and performed appropriately.
Ulthera SPT Versus Ulthera Prime
Ulthera Prime is a newer version of the Ulthera device designed to improve the doctor’s convenience during treatment.
Compared with the previous Ulthera model, Ulthera Prime offers:
๐ A larger ultrasound screen
๐ Clearer images
๐ Reduced screen reflection
๐ Faster processing
๐ More convenient operation for the doctor
However, Ulthera Prime continues to use the same treatment transducers, and the delivery time for each line remains unchanged.
Therefore, its treatment effectiveness and results are not significantly different solely because it is a newer model. The result still depends primarily on the doctor’s assessment, planning, technique, and treatment experience.
Reference :
Independent Writer
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