Although many people try to take care of themselves to look fresh and youthful through various methods, whether it is choosing to eat healthy food, exercising, or using different creams, over time these methods are not enough to maintain the youthful appearance overnight. Especially changes in facial shape, which is often the first thing people notice, affecting someone’s confidence. Using technology to assist is therefore an effective care method that is tailored to the individual and reliably safe.
What is Ulthera facial skin tightening?
Ulthera is an innovation for improving sagging and reducing wrinkles by using ultrasound technology to send energy waves that generate heat at a temperature of 65-70 degrees Celsius (°C) directly to the skin layer called the SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System), which is the same skin layer that surgeons use in facelift surgery. The heat energy waves from Ulthera appear as points (Micro dots) arranged in rows with only 1 millimeter spacing between points. This makes the energy delivery precise and covers the targeted area very well.
How do ultrasound waves work on the skin and collagen?
The heat from the ultrasound waves causes the collagen fibers in the skin of the SMAS layer, which provide elasticity to the face, to ‘contract’ and ‘rearrange tightly together’ again. At the same time, the heat from the energy waves triggers a process of shedding old, damaged skin cells and promotes the growth of new skin cells that are brighter and less dull, enhancing the skin’s health and smoothness compared to before.
All of this complies with international standards, including those from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) and the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is considered a non-surgical facelift, which means there is no long recovery period after treatment.
Ulthera also addresses wrinkles
Ulthera not only helps ‘correct issues of a large, sagging face to look firm and proportionate’ but can also address other facial areas such as wrinkles around the eyes, drooping eyelids, and under-eye bags. It can also reduce double chin, neck wrinkles, and even tighten and rejuvenate the décolletage area.
S-P-T: 3 steps to solve skin problems
Because skin characteristics and shapes are individual, to provide precise and effective treatment, Ulthera has designed the device and treatment process into 3 steps, called S-P-T or Ulthera SPT for easy understanding.
- S or See means observing the skin layers and problems through Real-time Visualization on the Ulthera screen. This allows the doctor to clearly scan the depth of the SMAS skin layer and deliver energy waves precisely, reducing the risk of delivering energy to unwanted areas such as nerves that could cause side effects or skin layers where the SMAS is too deep to reach.
- P or Plan means planning where the doctor analyzes the skin layers and other patient information clearly, then plans the treatment and provides advice for during and after the procedure.
- T or Treat means treatment starting with applying numbing cream on the treatment area and marking the energy delivery points. The doctor uses Ulthera Scan to locate the SMAS skin layer to select the appropriate tool to deliver energy at the correct depth, usually at 4.5 millimeters. If the patient’s SMAS layer differs, Ulthera has tools to deliver energy at depths of 1.5 and 3 millimeters as well. This entire process takes 2-3 hours depending on the number of lines used and the doctor’s expertise.
2-1-3 recovery code after Ulthera treatment
After Ulthera treatment, patients will immediately feel changes in their skin, but the visible results follow the 2-1-3 code.
- 2 means 2 days after treatment, there may be pain and swelling depending on individual skin conditions. These symptoms gradually subside within 7 days. During this period, makeup is still possible, but facial massage should be avoided to prevent inflammation.
- 1 means 1 month after treatment, the treated area will start to brighten as the skin begins producing new collagen and…
- 3 means 3 months after treatment, when collagen production is complete, the face will be noticeably lifted and firmer. This is also when the doctor schedules a follow-up to assess the results. The effects last from 1 year to 1.5 years.
Who is ‘not suitable’ for Ulthera treatment ?
In some cases, doctors may not recommend ‘Ulthera treatment’ due to possible side effects, such as:
- Patients using diabetes medication
- Patients with autoimmune disorders (SLE)
- Patients with severe chronic inflammatory acne on the face
Doctors may suggest alternative treatments because Ulthera could trigger inflammation. Therefore, if you wish to undergo Ulthera, you should start by consulting a specialist to receive appropriate advice and services.
