Reversing the clock and attaining younger-looking, firm, and vibrant skin is something that women could only obtain through a traditional facelift.
However, that has completely changed with the rise of non-invasive skin tightening treatments, including energy-based devices and dermal fillers which can promise to take years off your age without going under the knife.
As compared to taking collagen supplements and applying over-the-counter creams that do not have any substantial scientific evidence to back them up – here is why non-invasive skin tightening treatments are your best bet to get results!
Why skin laxity occurs
As we grow older, our body starts to lose two important proteins: collagen and elastin.
The building blocks to keep our skin looking fresh, firm, and taut – we start to lose these precious resources by the time we reach our early 20s, where we begin to produce 1% less collagen with each passing year. This can be further exacerbated by external and lifestyle factors such as heavy sun exposure and smoking.
Unless we do something to slow down the process, our body has no way of replenishing the collagen and elastin levels fast enough to overcome this natural aging process.
The consequence is skin that is prone to stretching and sagging – resulting in a lowered brow, fine lines and wrinkles, and crepey-looking skin that can make us look dull, tired, and older than we really are.
Stimulating collagen production is key
In order to delay this process, we need to start producing collagen and elastin the moment we start to notice the first signs of aging and laxity – and the best way to do this is to stimulate the body’s natural collagen production process.
Otherwise known as neocollagenesis – we can trigger our body to make more collagen by tricking it to believe that it is injured, and the body will then send growth factors to start remodeling collagen at the site of the injury.
The SMAS layer
In addition to triggering our body to produce more collagen, it is just as important to consider which layers within the skin this is being done.
The skin is made up of three key layers: the epidermis, dermis, and the subcutaneous fat. Deep to this on the face is the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS) layer. Whilst each of the layers hold important functions, it is the deepest SMAS layer that helps to provide the “anchor” for the skin and give it shape.
Despite the SMAS layer being abundant in collagen and elastin, it is also where skin laxity starts to occur as we grow older. Because of how deep it is within the skin – traditionally, only a surgical facelift operation is able to effectively target this layer.
However, a non-invasive skin tightening treatment known as ultherapy is able to reach the SMAS layer – sans the knife and incisions.
Ultherapy: a non-invasive skin tightening and lifting treatment
*Ultherapy is among the high-intensity focused ultrasound treatments available for aesthetic use.
Ultherapy is an FDA-approved, non-invasive procedure designed to address skin laxity in the neck, chin, and décolletage. Using focused ultrasound energy, it stimulates collagen production, which helps lift and tighten the skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Using ultrasound energy to generate a thermal effect deep under the skin – it works by triggering immediate tissue contraction and kickstarts the body’s process in generating new collagen – without damaging the skin’s surface.
Ultherapy incorporates real-time imaging technology, enabling practitioners to visualise the specific tissue layers being treated. This ensures each energy shot is delivered correctly to targeted areas while avoiding bones and major blood vessels, reducing potential risks.
With three different transducers (1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm) to choose from – doctors are able to deliver energy to multiple layers under the skin and customise the treatment to each individual.
What to Expect During and After Ultherapy Treatment
The procedure is generally well-tolerated by most patients. Oral analgesics and topical anesthesia are typically administered before treatment to enhance comfort.
Results appear gradually, with initial improvements visible after one session and continued enhancement over 3–6 months. The effects may last up to 1.5 years, though individual outcomes can vary.
Post-treatment side effects are typically mild and temporary, such as slight redness, swelling, or a temporary aching sensation. These reactions often indicate that the collagen-stimulating process is underway.
Ultherapy is supported by over 50 clinical studies and 90 peer-reviewed publications demonstrating its safety and efficacy. Globally, more than 1.5 million treatments have been performed, with a 95% patient satisfaction rate reported after one year of treatment1.
Ultrasound vs radiofrequency treatments vs dermal fillers
In essence, ultrasound and radiofrequency treatments aim to induce collagen remodeling within the skin, but they use differing technologies to do so – which is why they work best to target different issues and areas of the skin.
Ultherapy works to precisely heat the skin at temperatures ranging from 60°C – 70°C, while RF treatments relies on a bulk-heating strategy that reaches a maximum of 40°C – 55°C. In addition, Ultherapy is able to reach deeper into the layers of the skin, specifically the SMAS layer, to stimulate collagen production.
This is why Ultherapy is a common choice for individuals seeking a more noticeable lifting effect with fewer sessions. That said, RF treatments can also offer safe and effective skin tightening with minimal discomfort, though their effects are generally limited to the superficial layers of the skin.
On the other hand, dermal fillers work best to add volume and fill out fine lines and wrinkles instead of lifting loose skin. While there has been some debate on whether or not ultherapy and RF treatments can be safely used with dermal fillers – studies have shown that it is possible, with no significant adverse effects reported. In fact, a 2015 study suggested that performing ultrasound treatments before dermal fillers can offer synergistic effect3!
In fact, many patients will find that utilising multiple treatment modalities as part of a holistic program can bring better results in restoring their skin’s youthfulness. Depending on the severity of skin laxity, amount of fat, and volume loss you have – a good dermatologist and doctor should be able to offer you a range of treatments to treat every aspect of skin aging.
The ideal candidate
The patients who will see the best results from non-invasive skin tightening treatments are those who are currently facing mild to moderate skin laxity.
Important to note is that ultherapy is NOT a substitute to a surgical facelift. If you wish to obtain more dramatic results, or are experiencing a severe loss of skin elasticity, undergoing surgery may still be the best solution for you.
References
1. Werschler WP, Werschler PS. Long-term Efficacy of Micro-Focused Ultrasound with Visualization for Lifting and Tightening Lax Facial and Neck Skin Using a Customized Vectoring Treatment Method. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016;9(2):27–33.
2. Tanaka Y. Skin Tightening Following Multisource, Phase-controlled Radiofrequency Treatments with Novel Unique Concentric Electrodes in Asian Patients. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2019;12(12):E58–E63.
3. Hart DR, Fabi SG, White WM, Fitzgerald R, Goldman MP. Current Concepts in the Use of PLLA: Clinical Synergy Noted with Combined Use of Microfocused Ultrasound and Poly-L-Lactic Acid on the Face, Neck, and Décolletage. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015;136(5):180S-187S.
4. Sabrina G Fabi, MD, Julius W Few, Jr, MD, FACS, Shay Moinuddin, MHA, CANS, RN. Practical Guidance for Optimizing Patient Comfort During Microfocused Ultrasound with Visualization and Improving Patient Satisfaction. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2020; 40(2):208-216.