Signs Your Skin May Age Prematurely and How to Prevent It With Regenerative Aesthetics
Let's look at the signs that your skin might be ageing faster than it should and discover how regenerative aesthetics can be your skin’s secret weapon.
Ultherapy is FDA-cleared to treat saggy cheeks and jowls, address skin laxity, "turkey neck", droopy eyelids, lines, and wrinkles on the décolletage.
It uses sound energy — tried-and-true ultrasound — which has unique properties that allow it to bypass the skin surface to treat depths not matched by any other non-invasive cosmetic device.
This non-invasive skin lifting treatment that uses high-intensity micro-focused ultrasound with real-time visualisation (MFU-V) can also smooth out lines and wrinkles on the décolletage. Ultherapy stimulates collagen production in the skin's foundation, resulting in a clinically significant lift of tissue over two to three months, which continues to show results for up to half a year.
Ulthera is the device, and Ultherapy is the treatment.
Ultherapy has also received the European CE mark for non-invasive dermatological sculpting and lifting of the upper face, lower face, neck, and décolletage.
Amaris B. Clinic is one of Singapore's certified medical providers to offer authentic Ultherapy treatment.
Many people think that High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and Ultherapy are the same treatment, but it is not true. Unlike HIFU, Ultherapy has the added benefit of real-time imaging and Micro focused Ultrasound technology. Additionally, HIFU and Ultherapy use different types of ultrasound beams.
Ultherapy combines MFU with high-resolution ultrasound imaging so that the doctor can see the layers of tissue and ensure that the energy is being delivered to the correct layer to produce the desired result.
The treatment uses micro-focused high-intensity ultrasound to penetrate your skin at a depth of 5 millimetres. The ultrasound energy is said to heat the targeted tissue, believed to trigger the body's regenerative response and jumpstart a natural process known as neocollagenesis, where the body produces fresh collagen.
This gently and gradually lifts the skin and makes it supple again. As the ultrasound energy targets deep into the skin layers, the skin's surface will not be disturbed.
A study called "Micro focused ultrasound with visualisation: Consensus on safety and review of energy-based devices" concludes that "the independent test results of MFU-V/HIFU devices and the consensus panel conclusions provide strong support that real-time visualisation and the capability to detect coupling, features found only in MFU-V, help prevent complications and enhance the safety and effectiveness of energy-based devices.
The independent evaluation also revealed that MFU-V has several additional features that play key roles in safety and clinical effectiveness, including uniformity of TCPs, tight thermal regulation, large focal gain, and short beam length, that were not found collectively in any of the HIFU devices." [1]
Approved by the FDA in 2004, Ultherapy and its patented ultrasound visualisation technology called the DeepSEE visualisation technology allows the doctor to focus on the areas where collagen rebuilding is required.
During your consultation, discuss your concerns and objectives with Dr Ivan Puah. He will also be assessing your clinical condition and advise accordingly.
During the treatment, Dr Ivan Puah will use ultrasound imaging to determine the placement of the treatment energy. As the ultrasound energy is delivered, you will feel tiny bursts of energy deposited into the skin. This sensation is said to indicate that the collagen-building process has been initiated. The discomfort levels will vary from person to person.
Collagen, a natural protein, keeps skin firm, toned and youthful. Our skin loses its strength to ageing and gravity. Ultherapy increases the collagen quantity in the skin naturally.
Unlike surgeries and other technologies, Ultherapy bypasses the skin surface and causes no adverse effect on surrounding tissues.
Ultherapy targets the dermis and underlying fibromuscular layer that holds the skin in place without needles, cutting or disturbing its surface. No downtime is required after an Ultherapy session and normal activities can be resumed after treatment.
Lasers treat the superficial skin layers, usually for skin rejuvenation and not skin lifting treatment. You can combine Ultherapy with skin lasers since they use different technologies to treat various skin issues.
New collagen works to lift the skin from within. The effect continues to improve for three to six months and can last a year or more.
Lift and tighten the skin naturally on your brows, neck, and under the chin
Achieve a fresher and more youthful look
Improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the decolletage
Stimulate the growth of new collagen deep within your skin
An optimal Ultherapy result mainly depends on the doctor's technique. Ultherapy treatments at Amaris B. Clinic are conducted by Dr Ivan Puah.
Dr Ivan Puah, the Medical Director of Amaris B. Clinic, holds a Graduate Diploma in Family Dermatology from NUS and boasts over 17 years of clinical experience in addressing various dermatological concerns. His proficiency encompasses the treatment of skin laxity, wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, acne scarring, and more.
Dr Puah's knowledge and skill are further acknowledged through his appointment as a trainer-to-doctor by Merz Singapore and Allergan Singapore.
Is Ultherapy safe?
Ultherapy is safe and effective, ideal for both women and men, with over 1,750,000 treatments performed worldwide. The safety and efficacy of Ultherapy have been established through published clinical studies.
With almost 2 million Ultherapy treatments performed globally, this treatment has been rigorously tested for safety. Its efficacy has also been proven through clinical studies that have been published in many journals.
How many Ultherapy treatments will I need?
In general, one treatment is usually required for most patients. However, some patients may benefit from additional treatments based on the degree of skin laxity and how our body responds to ultrasound energy and the collagen-building process.
Future Ultherapy treatments can help keep up with our body's natural ageing process. Because this treatment boosts collagen and elastin production, it will lift and firm skin so you can look younger as you grow older.
Can Ultherapy be used to lift the brows?
Yes, clinical studies have proven that its micro-focused high-intensity focused ultrasound with real-time imaging technology can lift an average of 1.7mm to 1.99 mm [2] of the brow in just one session.
Improvement of lines & wrinkles on the décolletage
Many patients are now paying more attention to the often neglected area, the decolletage. Crepey skin on the decolletage is caused by skin laxity due to a decrease in collagen production in the body, dry skin and sun-damaged skin. This results in lines and wrinkles on the chest area that lends an aged appearance. To revert this, Ultherapy has shown visible and significant results within 90 to 180 days post-treatment [3], [4].
Are there any side effects?
Your skin might appear flushed, but the redness should disappear in a few hours. Some patients may experience tingling, tenderness to the touch, or even slight swelling, bruising, or numbness, but these side effects are temporary.
How much does an Ultherapy procedure cost?
The cost of an Ultherapy procedure is based on the areas to be treated. Please schedule a consultation appointment for more accurate pricing information.
Can Ultherapy replace a facelift?
Ultherapy is a non-surgical face lifting procedure that treats the deep skin layers to stimulate collagen production, tightening your skin from within. Collagen is an essential scaffold protein that provides the skin's foundation of elasticity and firmness. The quality of your skin's collagen plays a critical role in achieving the desired results. It is not the same treatment as a surgical facelift.
Can we consume or apply protein/collagen to replace the collagen loss in our skin?
Unfortunately, collagen soup, powder, supplements, drinks, or skincare products do absolutely nothing to your skin. Our bodies cannot absorb the collagen we eat or apply to replenish the lost collagen in our skin as the molecules are too big to be able to enter our bloodstream or skin.
Every protein we eat needs to be broken down into amino acids before our body can absorb and benefit from its goodness. But we cannot know how much of the absorbed amino acid goes directly to the skin.
Does Ultherapy melt fat?
No, Ultherapy does not melt fat.
How to spot a fake Ultherapy machine?
Before you book your consultation appointment date, please ensure and note that:
Beware of cheap deals and discounted treatments too! If your treatment is heavily discounted, question its authenticity. Some things are just too good to be true!
Reference
[1] Pavicic T, Ballard Jr, Bykovskaya T, Corduff N, Hirano C, Park Jy, Saromytskaya A, Sevi J, Vasconcelos S. Micro Focused Ultrasound With Visualisation: Consensus On Safety And Review Of Energy-Based Devices. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Feb;21(2):636-647. DOI: 10.1111/jocd.14666. Epub 2021 Dec 24. PMID: 34951735.
[2] Alam M, White Le, Martin N, Witherspoon J, Yoo S, West Dp. Ultrasound Tightening Of Facial And Neck Skin: A Rater-Blinded Prospective Cohort Study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010 Feb;62(2):262-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2009.06.039. PMID: 20115948.
[3] Fabi Sg, Massaki A, Eimpunth S, Pogoda J, Goldman Mp. Evaluation Of Micro-Focused Ultrasound With Visualisation For Lifting, Tightening, And Wrinkle Reduction Of The Décolletage. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013 Dec;69(6):965-71. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.06.045. Epub 2013 Sep 17. PMID: 24054759.
[4] Fabi Sg, Goldman Mp, Dayan Sh, Gold Mh, Kilmer Sl, Hornfeldt Cs. A Prospective Multicenter Pilot Study Of The Safety And Efficacy Of Micro-Focused Ultrasound With Visualisation For Improving Lines And Wrinkles Of The Décolleté. Dermatol Surg. 2015 Mar;41(3):327-35. DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000322. PMID: 25705947.
Dr Ivan Puah's novel 360° Glandular Tissue Dissection (360°GTD®) technique minimises surgical invasiveness while achieving cosmetic results.
Dr Ivan Puah's novel 360° Glandular Tissue Dissection (360°GTD®) technique minimises surgical invasiveness while achieving cosmetic results.
Dr Ivan Puah's novel 360° Glandular Tissue Dissection (360°GTD®) technique minimises surgical invasiveness while achieving cosmetic results.