All About Ultherapy:

​The Anti-Aging Procedure That Uses The Power Of Sound

By far, skin is the body’s largest organ. According to National Geographic, “adults carry some 8 pounds and 22 square feet of it.” Our skin works hard day and night to protect our bodies from the outside elements and dangerous contaminants. You can think of skin as a waterproof, temperature-regulating, shock-absorbent barrier, and it’s our first line of defense against the infiltration of deadly bacteria, viruses, and infection. Additionally, skin is packed with nerve endings that transmit important information to the brain. For instance, if your hand comes in contact with an open flame, your skin’s nerves will send a message to your brain to move away from that danger source to prevent further harm.

Skin is comprised of three important layers; the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutis. While all three skin layers play an equally important role in keeping us safe and healthy, the dermis in particular is a leading star when it comes to supporting the skin’s structure and promoting a smooth, youthful appearance. The dermis contains collagen and elastin, both of which give our skin its unique strength and suppleness. However, like all other organs, the quality of our skin and its cellular processes begins to slow down and degrade as we age, leading to dryer, thinner skin that’s more prone to the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. Before we discuss how to combat those common signs of aging, let’s break down the true function of collagen.

What Is Collagen?

Aside from being an active ingredient in a lot of fancy anti-aging face creams, collagen is, by definition, a protein. According to Live Science, collagen refers to a family of proteins that are the primary structural component of connective tissues, such as skin and cartilage, and it makes up about a third of all the protein in the human body. Although some people like to boost their collagen production with man-made supplements, the human body naturally makes its own collagen supply by breaking down dietary protein like chicken, beef, eggs, daily, legumes, and whole grains into amino acids. That’s why it’s so important to eat a diverse diet that’s rich in nutrients – both for your health and your appearance!

According to Healthline, you can think of collagen as the “glue” that holds your skin together. In fact – the word “collagen” originates from the Green word “kólla,” which means glue. It’s thanks to collagen’s glue-like properties that our skin is hydrated and elastic, able to bounce back to its original shape after we cry, laugh, frown, squint, or even sneeze. However, according to New York dermatologist Whitney Bowe, as people get older, they break down the collagen in their bodies faster than they can replace it. Additionally, “we begin to lose about 1% of our collagen per year in our mid-20s and lose as much as 30% during the first 5 years of menopause.”

Aside from the natural and inevitable aging process, an excess of sugar and refined carbs, sunshine exposure, and a history of smoking can all damage collagen production over time. Although popular anti-wrinkle injections like Botox can temporarily paralyze the movement of muscles under the skin, thus eliminating the possibility of wrinkle-causing facial expressions like frowning or squinting, Botox does not increase the body’s production of collagen in any way. To do so, researchers have been looking at different treatment possibilities that are already available in the medical community. One such solution? Ultrasound energy.

What Is Ultrasound Energy?

Ultrasound energy has been used in the medical field for more than 50 years, and it’s clinically proven to be safe and effective. According to the Mayo Clinic, “diagnostic ultrasound, also called sonography or diagnostic medical sonography, is an imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within your body. The images can provide valuable information for diagnosing and treating a variety of diseases and conditions.” There are little to no risks of exposing your body to ultrasound energy, although it does have its limitations. For example, sound doesn’t travel well through air or bone, so it’s not effective at imaging certain body parts like your lungs or brain.

If the word “ultrasound” sounds familiar, that’s because it’s the primary way that doctors monitor the health and development of babies while they’re still in their mothers’ wombs. According to Medical News Today, an ultrasound scan uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body, and it’s suitable for use during pregnancy. The process of ultrasound is usually painless, although some people report experiencing mild discomfort as the sonographer moves the ultrasound applicator over your body. Although ultrasound is not painful, it does generate a thermal effect under the skin, which led doctors and medical professionals to discover its ability to enhance the production of collagen in the skin’s dermal layer. And that’s exactly how “Ultherapy” came to be.

What Is Ultherapy?

Ultherapy is a popular non-invasive, non-surgical cosmetic treatment that uses the same ultrasound energy applied to a pregnant mother’s belly in order to boost the production of collagen deep within the skin’s layers. According to Ultherapy.com, “Ultherapy is the only FDA-cleared, non-invasive procedure that lifts skin on the neck, chin and brow, and improves lines and wrinkles on the upper chest.” By treating skin with ultrasound imaging technology, doctors can actually see the layers of tissue that they’re treating and deliver energy to precise locations, thus guaranteeing natural-looking results that develop and continue to improve over time.

Unlike more invasive treatments like lasers, radio frequency, and surgery, Ultherapy actually bypasses the surface of the skin to target specific depths at a controlled temperature. That controlled temperature generates a thermal effect under the skin, which effectively “promises to kick-start skin’s deadbeat collagen and put it on high-speed rewind, reversing nearly a year’s worth of aging per month over six months,” as stated by USA Today. Not bad for a decades-old technology that we’re all already familiar with.

However, it’s important to note that Ultherapy isn’t an immediate fix. The production of new collagen and elastin takes time, so results will become more apparent over two to three months, or even up to six months. Although Ultherapy results won’t necessarily duplicate what you might see if you went the surgical route, it’s an ideal solution for men and women who wish to see a subtle lift in the skin on the neck, chin, and brow, without actually going under the knife. If you need proof, just look at celebs like Christie Brinkley, Jennifer Aniston, and Kim Kardashian who allegedly have Ultherapy to thank for their flawless, wrinkle-free complexions.

What Does An Ultherapy Treatment Feel Like?

Although Ultherapy is a non-surgical and non-invasive anti-aging treatment, it’s not without its risks – just like any other procedure. That’s why it’s important to do your research in order to select a highly trained, reputable Ultherapy provider prior to treatment. Not only will that minimize the possibility of any issues cropping up, but it will also help to ensure that you get the gorgeous, youthful results of your dreams. Before your Ultherapy treatment, you will likely sit down with your provider for a one-on-one consultation to discuss your specific concerns and develop a unique treatment plan.

On average, one Ultherapy procedure takes about 30-90 minutes, although some sessions can last as long as 2.5 hours if the patient is getting a full face/neck/chest treatment. According to Ultherapy.com, “as the ultrasound energy is delivered, you may feel tiny amounts of energy being deposited to precise depths, stimulating the collagen-building process. Comfort levels vary from person to person, but the sensation only lasts while the ultrasound energy is being delivered.” Since Ultherapy bypasses the epidermis layer with all of its essential nerve endings, common numbing procedures like ice application and topical creams will have little effect. That said, a medical spa that specializes in Ultherapy will do whatever it takes to accommodate the needs of each patient to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.

The general process of Ultherapy application is relatively straightforward, and only requires a simple doctor’s office visit – plus, there’s no downtime involved. First, your Ultherapy provider will thoroughly cleanse the skin on your face, neck, and upper chest, and identify key areas that will most benefit from treatment. Next, they will apply the ultrasound gel to your treatment areas and run the smooth applicator against your skin. To maximize results during treatment, your provider will use the ultrasound imaging system to visualize the procedure and make sure everything goes to plan. Following treatment, you may immediately return to your normal activities as there’s no healing time required.

Why Get Ultherapy At Jiva Med Spa?

When it comes to aging, there is no “right” way to do it. While some people may opt for a more invasive surgical route, others prefer to simply maintain the skin they currently have with non-surgical, non-invasive anti-aging procures like Ultherapy. However, it’s important to remember that your face is the first thing people see when they meet you, so it’s essential that you only trust it with the industry’s most experienced doctors. Jiva Med Spa is one of the top providers of Ultherapy treatments in the entire Midwest region, and we customize our sessions to each patient’s unique needs. To maximize comfort, we also offer the Pro-Nox aesthetic system to our Ultherapy patients, which helps ease pain and anxiety.

If you have been wondering if Ultherapy is right for you, or if you simply want more information about our anti-aging treatments and procedures, feel free to schedule a consultation with one of our experts! You don’t even need to visit the office.

Jiva Med Spa is currently practicing responsible social distancing by offering telemedicine appointments and virtual consultations.

If you’re ready to experience the power of sound with Ultherapy, give us a call at 614-421-7546 (Columbus) or 937-705-9430 (Dayton). Or, contact us online HERE.

The aging process is personal to every patient, but we will do everything we can to make sure your experience with us is a positive one!