Ultherapy® – facial lifting without surgery
Ultherapy® is a non-invasive lifting treatment that uses micro-focused ultrasound and is one of the modern methods of aesthetic medicine. The procedure enables facial tightening, skin rejuvenation, and improvement of skin structure without the need for surgery. Instead, the rejuvenating effects are achieved through the action of highly focused ultrasound waves that are precisely directed into the tissue.
How does the ultrasound lift work?
The highly focused ultrasound pulses penetrate specifically into the deep tissue layers. The upper layer of skin remains intact. The energy in the ultrasound waves stimulates the body’s own collagen production as well as new cell formation. As a result, the skin gradually becomes firmer and tighter. Ultherapy® essentially “repairs” the skin from the inside.
Who is the non-surgical lift suitable for?
This gentle treatment is generally suitable for all patients whose skin has lost firmness and contour. Ultrasound lifting is an attractive alternative, particularly for people who do not wish to undergo surgical intervention. Although the method is not entirely comparable to surgery, it can still achieve effective results that make the face or body look younger.
One of the major advantages of Ultherapy® is that there is no downtime.
Quick facts
Type of treatment: minimally invasive
Treatment duration: 30–90 minutes
Anesthesia: local anesthesia, numbing cream
Downtime: none
Results: after approx. 2–6 months
Duration of effect: approx. 2–5 years
Special features: gentle facelift without surgery, improvement of skin structure
Risks: tingling sensation, mild swelling, skin sensitivity
Cost: starting at € 249
Which areas can be treated with Ultherapy®?
- Facial wrinkle treatment (including marionette lines, crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles)
- Tightening of sagging skin around the eyes
- Eyebrow lift
- Lifting of “jowls”
- Contouring of the jawline and chin
- Skin tightening and wrinkle reduction on the décolleté
The non-surgical lift can also be used on the arms, legs, and abdomen to achieve a harmonious tightening of these areas.
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What happens before the treatment?
If possible, patients should avoid taking blood-thinning medications for about ten days prior to the treatment. Additionally, patients should not apply any creams, lotions, other skincare products, or makeup to the treatment areas immediately before the procedure. No further preparations are generally necessary.
How does the ultrasound lifting procedure work?
First, the treatment areas are determined during an individual consultation and are cleaned and disinfected immediately before the procedure. To ensure the treatment is pain-free, the experienced aesthetic medicine physician applies a special anesthetic ointment to the skin beforehand. The areas are then also coated with an ultrasound gel. During the Ultherapy® treatment, a smooth ultrasound probe is guided over the skin. The device emits highly focused ultrasound waves into the tissue. The physician can closely monitor the treatment on a monitor and adjust the intensity to the specific tissue to achieve the desired effects. Ultherapy® ultrasound lifting is performed under ultrasound guidance, allowing the collagen fibers to be targeted precisely in the ultrasound image. This process leads to new collagen formation or collagen regeneration.
In contrast, there are also so-called HIFU devices from Asia, which, however, operate without ultrasound guidance. Targeted identification of the collagen fibers is therefore only possible to a limited extent. As a result, the practitioner does not know exactly “where they are targeting” and may hit fatty tissue or nerves with the energy in addition to the collagen fibers. The resulting destruction of fatty tissue usually leads to premature aging.
How long does a treatment with Ultherapy® take?
The duration of the treatment depends on the size of the area to be treated with Ultherapy®. Smaller areas usually require about 30 minutes; for larger skin areas, the treatment can take around one to one and a half hours.
The benefits of the treatment
- Non-surgical
- Extremely gentle
- Short treatment duration
- No general anesthesia
- No scars
- No downtime
- Natural-looking results
- Improved skin texture
Questions and Answers
The effect of ultrasound energy on the tissue is often perceived as localized heat. The sensation varies from patient to patient. Most often, it feels like a “slight prickling” or tingling of the skin. However, some patients may perceive the treatment as more intense. Local anesthesia desensitizes the treated areas, making the entire procedure more comfortable.
After the treatment, patients can leave the clinic and resume their normal daily activities. Downtime is generally not expected. Vitamin- and nutrient-rich products are recommended to support skin care. Patients receive PB-Serum to take home from our clinic, which contains three innovative products with important enzymes for the skin. Our experts are, of course, happy to provide advice on this. Intense sunbathing should be avoided for the time being.
The collagen regeneration process occurs gradually, so the results also take some time to become visible. Initial results appear after about two to three months. The final result is achieved after about three to six months. For some patients, a second treatment may be recommended to achieve optimal results.
Even one year after treatment, patients still have fresh collagen that keeps the skin looking young and fresh. The exact duration of the effect can vary. In most cases, the results remain visible for two to three years, and in some cases even up to five years.
In many cases, a single treatment is sufficient to initiate the regeneration processes and achieve the desired effect. If necessary, a second treatment may be recommended after a few months to optimize the results. This is decided on an individual basis.
In Germany, the so-called German Medicines Act legally prohibits the publication of before-and-after images of Ultherapy® treatments. Therefore, unfortunately, no files can be provided on this page. However, during a personal consultation, interested patients have the opportunity to view anonymized before-and-after photos of Ultherapy® treatments.
As a rule, patients are fully presentable again shortly after the treatment. In some cases, mild discomfort such as swelling or sensitivity to touch may persist for a few days. However, experience shows that these do not significantly restrict patients.
The treatment may cause mild to moderate pain—depending on individual sensitivity. Of course, we strive to make the treatment as comfortable as possible in our practice (e.g., local anesthesia). Occasionally, mild redness, temporary swelling, or hypersensitivity reactions of the skin may occur after the ultrasound lift. These symptoms usually subside on their own within two weeks. The regeneration of the skin layers may also manifest as a tingling sensation. In isolated cases, mild bruising and numbness are also possible.
Contraindications for Ultherapy® treatment include:
- Minors
- Acute infections or injuries
- Chronic skin conditions
- An increased tendency to bleed
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Blood clotting disorders
- Tendency to scar
- Acute radiation or chemotherapy
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Ultherapy® can be combined with other minimally invasive treatments. These include, among others, filler treatments, skin rejuvenation with CO2 laser, or a Vampire Lift (autologous blood therapy). Dr. Bravin-Jumpertz will be happy to advise you on the various options.
The cost of a Ultherapy® treatment depends, among other things, on the size of the treatment area. It is therefore determined on an individual basis and discussed in detail during your personal consultation. It is not possible to give a flat rate for the cost of a treatment.