Introduction

At Cambridge Medical Group, an aesthetic clinic chain in Singapore, one of our signature treatments is Ultherapy.

Ultherapy treatments are designed to reverse early signs of ageing in the facial areas and rejuvenate the skin for a youthful appearance. Ultherapy treatment works by delivering focused ultrasound energy deep into the layers of the skin and stimulating the production of new collagen. Over time, the increased levels of collagen production help lift and tighten the skin, gradually leading to a firmer look. Ultherapy treatments are also non-invasive, which requires little to no downtime and can thus enable patients to return to their daily routines immediately after the procedure. 

If you’re looking to tighten sagging skin, contour the jawline, alleviate fine lines and wrinkles or tone the face, Ultherapy might just be the ideal non-surgical treatment you need. This article will cover what to expect throughout this FDA-approved, medical-grade non-surgical facelifting procedure and how to maximise the results of your treatments. In essence, the key to optimising the results of your Ultherapy treatment is following proper steps before, during and after the procedure.

Pre-Treatment Preparation

It is essential to schedule a consultation with one of Cambridge Medical’s Aesthetic Doctors to assess your current skin condition and create a tailored treatment plan. During the consultation, your Aesthetic Doctor will also examine your facial structure and discuss your skin goals, ensuring the treatment is aligned with your specific requirements.

Ultherapy treatments can be personalised to suit each individual’s specific aesthetic needs by adjusting the intensity and depth of ultrasound energy. This allows targeted treatment for specific jawline, brow, neck, or décolletage areas. Moreover, a key feature of Ultherapy treatment is the use of real-time imagining through an ultrasound imaging system. This technology allows your Aesthetic Doctor to visualise the treatment area and control the energy levels and depth of delivered ultrasound energy with good accuracy. This customisation enhances the lifting and firming effects, making the treatment suitable for various skin types and conditions.  

It is also important to discuss other health conditions or current medications with your Aesthetic Doctor to ensure a smooth experience during your Ultherapy treatment. 

• Medication: Avoid blood-thinning medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and NSAIDs several days before treatment.
• Alcohol: Avoiding alcohol one day before Ultherapy is recommended to enhance treatment safety and outcomes. Alcohol has blood-thinning properties, which may increase bruising or swelling in the treated area, particularly for sensitive facial skin. 
• Hydration: Keeping your skin moisturised and staying well-hydrated in the days leading up to the treatment will also prepare your skin for optimal results.
• Sun Exposure: Limit direct sun exposure and avoid tanning to minimise skin sensitivity.
• Cosmetics and Treatments:  Be sure to inform your Aesthetic Doctor about your skincare products and recent skin treatments you have taken recently, as you may need to pause them before your Ultherapy session. Arrive on the day of the procedure with a clean face, free from makeup and skincare products.

During Your Ultherapy Session

1. Before the treatment begins, your skin will be thoroughly cleansed to remove any impurities.

2. Topical anaesthetic will be applied to targeted areas based on your personalised treatment plan to ensure your comfort during the procedure. 

3. Your Aesthetic Doctor will then apply ultrasound gel to allow the Ultherapy device to glide smoothly on your skin.

4. The ultrasound device will emit ultrasound waves into the deep layers of the skin, delivering heat to stimulate new collagen production and give skin-lifting effects from within the skin.

During the procedure, you may feel a mild warm and tingling sensation from underneath your skin’s surface that is caused by the ultrasound energy. Rest assured that it is normal and typically pain-free due to the application of topical anaesthetic at the beginning of treatment. The duration of treatment can last from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the facial area being treated. If you experience any discomfort, communicate with your Aesthetic Doctor to adjust the intensity levels as needed. At Cambridge Medical Group, we value and prioritise your comfort during our treatments.

Post-Treatment Care

Right after treatment, it’s normal to see mild redness in the treated areas. You may also feel like your skin is swelling and more tender than usual. These signs are the body’s normal response towards Ultherapy treatments which typically will subside within a few hours to a few days. Although there is no downtime required after Ultherapy treatments, your skin may feel more sensitive for the first few days after treatment. It is important to take extra care of your skin in the days following treatments. For instance, it is recommended to put on sunscreen before you go outside and try to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. Strenuous physical activities should also be limited for the first few days to prevent irritation.

You might also want to consult with your Aesthetic Doctor about which skincare products you need to avoid post-treatment. It is important to avoid harsh treatments for several days after the treatment, considering that your skin is still sensitive. It is recommended to stick to basic skincare with gentle and moisturising ingredients, avoiding exfoliants or other strong active ingredients. You can also support the recovery process by staying well-hydrated.

Enhancing Your Results

For those who are looking to enhance their Ultherapy results in one visit, our Aesthetic Doctor can provide tailored advice, including recommendations on complementary medical-grade and medical spa treatments. At Cambridge Medical Group, one popular combination of treatments is Ultherapy with Thermag3, which are both under our signature Duo-Facelift Programme. Both treatments are non-invasive and able to target different layers of the skin to further improve skin texture. While Ultherapy focuses on deep tissue lifting, Thermag3 targets surface skin layers. This combination provides comprehensive rejuvenation, targeting multiple layers of the skin at once.

In addition to considering complementary treatments, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential after completing a treatment. This includes proper nutrition intake, staying hydrated daily, and avoiding smoking to support ongoing collagen production. You may also want to discuss with your Aesthetic Doctor about incorporating skincare products into your routine that can boost collagen production, such as those containing peptides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. 

Maintenance

After your Ultherapy treatment, new collagen production continues for up to a few months, where you can see gradual improvements during this period. While some lifting results can be seen very quickly, the full effect will become noticeable after a few months as the collagen rebuilds the skin’s structure.

In order to maintain the benefits, Ultherapy treatments can be done once a year. Consult with your Aesthetic Doctor to understand the ideal frequency for your maintenance sessions based on your skin’s response and desired results. 

Summary

Ultherapy treatments are suitable for you if you’re looking to rejuvenate your skin appearance, increasing the youthfulness of your complexion. This FDA-approved non-invasive treatment can give natural skin lifting effects by stimulating new collagen production by delivering focused ultrasound energy into your inner skin layers. In order to enhance the result from your Ultherapy treatments, it is important to follow the right preparation, post-care and maintenance as advised by your Aesthetic Doctor. 

Book an Appointment with Cambridge Medical Group

Schedule a consultation with Cambridge Medical Group today to consult one of our Aesthetic Doctors. We will help you to achieve your skin goals and recommend a personalised treatment plan with Cambridge Medical Group. Our certified Aesthetic Doctors will help you decide if Ultherapy treatment suits your skin concerns

References

1. Carver C, Rashid Z, Shuker, S. High-Frequency Ultrasound for Skin Laxity of the Face and Neck: A Five-Year Review. Dearma J Cosmetic Laser Therapy. 2023;2(3):28-31.
2. Khan U, Khalid N. A Systematic Review of the Clinical Efficacy of Micro-Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Skin Rejuvenation and Tightening. Cureus. 2021;13(12):e20163. 

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