These are both important building blocks within our skin. Collagen is a protein that is abundant in our skin and is important in providing strength and stability. It is produced by special cells (called fibroblasts) but over time our skin loses some of its collagen, contributing to skin laxity and sagging. Elastin is a highly elastic protein in skin and allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting.

Elastin helps skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched. Again, as we age, our skin loses some elastin, which also contributes to sagging and laxity. Since our faces are constantly subjected to movement & pressure (when we smile, sleep, talk, shout, cry, laugh or sing) the loss of elastin and collagen really can take its toll.

The length of the treatment will depend on the area being treated and your individual treatment plan. A face and neck procedure takes 60–90 minutes, while a chest treatment takes approximately 30 minutes.

After an Ultherapy treatment, you can resume your usual lifestyle and activities immediately without having to follow any special post-treatment measures.

You may see some initial lift, but the ultimate results will take place over 2–3 months, as the growth of new collagen and elastin replaces old tissue targeted by the treatment. A single Ultherapy® treatment can give a lasting effect for over a year in some people and your practitioner will advise on the likely outcomes for you.

Most clients need one treatment. However, based on the degree of skin laxity, the biological response to ultrasound energy and the individual’s collagen-building process, some clients benefit from additional treatments. Because skin continues to age, future touch-up treatments can help patients keep pace with the body’s natural ageing process.

Take a look at the before and after images at the bottom of the page. This shows genuine photographs of clients who have been treated with Ultherapy.

As a result of the natural ageing process our skin becomes less elastic. A good Ultherapy candidate has mild to moderate skin laxity where the skin begins to look less firm or tight. Examples include a lowered brow, loose skin on the neck, sagging under the chin, and lines or wrinkles on the chest. Ultherapy results in a gradual lift, leaving patients looking refreshed. However, Ultherapy will not have as drastic results as a surgical facelift. Ultherapy is a great alternative, however, especially for those not ready for surgery or for clients looking to extend the effects of cosmetic surgery.

See “Am I a candidate?” During your consultation at The Laser and Skin Clinic we can advise you whether you are likely to benefit from Ultherapy treatment. It is important to understand that Ultherapy is not suitable for people who have extreme skin laxity.

While Ultherapy does not duplicate the results of a facelift, it may be used before, or as an alternative to surgery and after surgery to maintain the effects. Unlike surgery it also has the added benefit of allowing you to resume your usual lifestyle and activities immediately.

Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen production in the skin’s foundation, resulting in a clinically significant lift of tissue over 2-3 months. Lasers rely on light energy, which typically only treat superficial skin (around 1mm in depth).

Ultherapy’s ultrasound energy bypasses the surface of the skin (going to depths between 1.5mm and 4.5mm), which means no downtime is required after the treatment. Since the two technologies often treat different types of skin issues, they can be compatible. Once we assess your skin we can advise you what is best for you.

The Ultherapy procedure has been used in over 620,000 treatments worldwide. Every Ultherapy practitioner receives extensive procedural training and tools so you can feel confident choosing Ultherapy. Ultherapy is the only micro-focused ultrasound technology that has been reviewed and cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration, (one of the World’s most stringent regulatory bodies for healthcare).

In the European Union Ultherapy is CE certified for non-invasive sculpting and lifting of the dermis on the upper and lower face, neck and décolletage (chest).

The skin might appear flushed at first, but the redness should disappear within a few hours. Some clients experience slight swelling, tingling or tenderness to the touch, but these are temporary in nature.

Other, less common post-procedural effects may include temporary bruising or numbness on small areas of skin. As with any aesthetic medical procedure, there is the possibility for other rare effects, which your practitioner will review with you.

In order for Ultherapy to work it has to heat the deep layers of the skin. Everybody will have different sensitivities to this heat. We will advise you on how to manage the discomfort in the way that is best for you at your consultation.

In the European Union, Ultherapy is CE certified for non-invasive sculpting and lifting of the skin on the upper and lower face, neck and décolletage (chest). In the US, Ultherapy has gone through assessment by the Food and Drugs Administration, the agency regulating health, and is the only ultrasound therapy cleared for use in the US for skin lifting.

Since Ultherapy has become so successful (and used by some celebrities) a number of copy-cat versions have appeared. None of these have been approved for use by the FDA and none have the ability to allow your practitioner to see before they treat (which is an important safety feature).

Because none of these other machines have been cleared by the FDA their ability to create the correct and precise targeted heat is unknown. If a treatment cannot create the correct level of heat to initiate the collagen and elastin production process it may feel virtually painless.

Since Ultherapy has become so successful (and used by some celebrities) a number of copy-cat versions have appeared. None of these have been approved for use by the FDA and none have the ability to allow your practitioner to see before they treat.

All practitioners who have purchased the genuine Ultherapy system have been provided with a Certificate of Authenticity (like the one shown here in our before and after pictures), which they should be able to show you in their clinic.