Ultherapy is the Friend of Your Skin
Humans have been trying to find the fountain of youth and other mysterious ways to regain their youth for time eternal. And all this time the secret was right there under our very own skin — collagen.
Collagen is the protein in the human body that is responsible for building the skin’s support structure. Collagen keeps the skin taut and firm, the tenets of younger-looking skin. The problem is collagen production decreases every year in the human body by one percent after you celebrate your 20th birthday. Add that up and when you hit 50, you now are producing 30 percent less collagen than in your youth. Call Ponce de Leon and find that fountain of youth, please!
You’ve probably heard of some of the different methods that are now being employed to get the body to boost its production of collagen. From laser energy to fillers whose calcium microspheres stimulate collagen production, boosting collagen is the goal.
Ultherapy is an innovative treatment that uses ultrasound energy to stimulate the body to boost its collagen production. We offer Ultherapy at the Center for Dermatology and Laser Surgery.
What is Ultherapy?
Ultherapy lifts, tightens, and tones the skin on the face and neck. It is excellent for reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles and improving overall skin firmness and smoothness. The FDA has cleared this non-invasive procedure for skin tightening.
How does Ultherapy work?
Ultrasound has been used safely throughout the medical world for over half a century, and it is also the key to Ultherapy. In an Ultherapy session, the handpiece delivers focused ultrasound energy down into the dermis, the second layer of the skin beneath the epidermis. When this ultrasound energy reaches the deeper levels in the skin the energy heats up the skin’s foundation. The body perceives this as a wound and responds by producing new amounts of collagen and new skin cells to address the “wound,” despite the fact that there is no actual injury. The new collagen and skin cells improve the tone and texture of the skin in the treatment area.
Does Ultherapy hurt?
For most patients, Ultherapy is easily tolerable. Patients generally say they feel a mild prickly or warm sensation as the ultrasound energy is delivered to the dermis. This sensation is temporary. We recommend that our patients take 800 mg of ibuprofen about 45 minutes prior to their Ultherapy session to alleviate any discomfort.
How many treatments will I want?
Many of our patients see great improvement in just a single Ultherapy session; others prefer a series of sessions. Your approach depends on your goals.
How long will my results last?
Because Ultherapy triggers new collagen production, your results last for about one year. Then the natural decline of collagen comes back into play, so another Ultherapy session can be scheduled to maintain your results.
Who wouldn’t like firmer, younger-looking skin without any surgery? Call the team at Center for Dermatology and ask about Ultherapy, (503) 297-3440.
- Posted on: May 15 2019
