Boston Cosmetic
Boston Cosmetic

AWAKEN THE

BEAUTY WITHIN

DARE TO LOOK YOUR

BEST

EXCEED EXPECTATIONS

TOGETHER

ATTRACT WITH

BEAUTY

CAPTIVATE WITH

CONFIDENCE

LIVE YOUR LIFE IN

HIGH DEFINITION

LOVE THE SKIN

YOU'RE IN

BE BRILLIANT, LET YOUR SKIN

RADIATE

Boston Cosmetic

Ultherapy FAQ

What is Ultherapy?                                                                                      

Ultherapy is a non-surgical face and neck treatment developed by Ulthera, Inc. It uses ultrasound to lift and tone loose or sagging skin without any significant downtime. Ultherapy is a safe, non-surgical ultrasound treatment that counteracts the effects of time and gravity on your skin. Ultherapy uses the body’s own regenerative response to gently and gradually lift skin on the eyebrow, under the chin and on the neck, and smooth lines and wrinkles on the décolletage.

How is Ultherapy different from other cosmetic procedures?                  

Ultherapy targets deep tissue below the skin, an area typically reached with cosmetic surgery. Ultherapy also provides ultrasound imaging, which allows Dr. Chwalek or Dr. MacGregor to actually see the layers of tissue that are targeted during the treatment, and thus ensure the energy is delivered where it will be most effective. Ultherapy is the only non-invasive treatment cleared by the FDA to actually lift skin. Ultherapy is also the only cosmetic procedure to use ultrasound imaging, which allows practitioners to see the layers of tissue targeted during the treatment to ensure the energy is deposited to where it will be most beneficial.

Who is a good candidate for Ultherapy?                                                    

Someone with skin that has “relaxed” to the point of looking less firm. A lowered eyebrow line or sagging skin on the neck or the jowls, is often the first sign of “maturing” skin. Typically, those in their thirties and older who have mild to moderate skin laxity are candidates. Ultherapy is also a good option for people who want to “stay ahead of the game” as well as those looking to prolong the effects of cosmetic surgery.

Are men good candidates for Ultherapy?                                                

Absolutely! Ultherapy works equally well on both men and women.

Why choose Boston Cosmetic Specialists for Ultherapy?                          

Results and patient comfort heavily depend on physician technique, which is why our Ultherapy treatments are personally administered by Dr. Ishoo, not by a nurse, medical assistant or technician. Dr. Ishoo has extensive clinical experience with and a long track record of achieving the best results while minimizing the discomfort and risk of complications. We continue working with Ulthera to offer our patients the latest advances and software upgrades. In many situations Ultherapy works best in combination with other treatments, and our comprehensive range of non-surgical body contouring devices and our expertise in administering these treatments allows us to design the best personalized non-surgical body contouring plan for each patient.

What results can be expected?                                                                    

Ultherapy addresses mild to moderate loose or sagging skin by reconditioning and renewing the collagen underlying the skin. Ultherapy can lift the brow, which in turn reduces excess skin on the lids, opens up the eyes, and gives a more refreshed look overall. It can also improve the appearance of loose skin in the jowls or neck. Samples of results are available to review on the Ulthera Photo Gallery.

How does Ultherapy work?                                                                            

How Ulthera Works at Boston Cosmetic Specialists from Dr. Ishoo on Vimeo.

Ultherapy delivers focused ultrasound energy below the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s creation of new collagen. As a result, skin will lift and tone over a period of several weeks.

What does collagen do?                                                                                

Collagen is a natural protein that gives skin its youthfulness and bounce by keeping it firmed and toned. As we age, collagen loses its strength, elasticity and the ability to stand up to the effects of gravity that pull the skin downward. Ultherapy jumpstarts a repair process that strengthens your existing collagen and produces fresh, new collagen. Ultherapy deposits focused ultrasound energy deep beneath the skin at the optimal temperature for collagen regeneration. The treatment jumpstarts a natural process, known as neocollagenesis, to produce fresh, new collagen. Ultherapy doesn’t involve any creams, fillers or toxins; it just relies on your body’s own collagen-building process for natural, noticeable results.

Is Ultherapy uncomfortable or painful?                                                            

It really varies from patient to patient. Some patients tolerate the procedure well with only topical anesthetic cream while other patients experience significant discomfort or pain while the energy is being delivered and may require locoregional anesthetic block injections. We have extensive experience with pain management for Ultherapy and are able to offer the highest possible level of patient comfort during the procedure. Dr. Ishoo will avoid making adjustments to the procedure by decreasing the treatment energy instead of managing the pain by provide numbing injections prior to start of treatment to achieve optimal treatment with minimal discomfort. There is no pain after the procedure but there may be slight residual soreness in the treatment area for up to a week. Without any analgesia, as the ultrasound energy is delivered, you will feel tiny amounts of energy being deposited to precise depths, indicating that the collagen-building process has been initiated in response to the tissue injury by the focused beam of ultrasound. Comfort levels vary from person to person, but the sensation only lasts while the ultrasound energy is being delivered.

How long does it take to recover?                                                              

Typically there is no downtime, and patients can return to their normal activities after treatment. The length of the treatment will depend on the area being treated and your individual treatment plan. A face and neck procedure typically takes 60-90 minutes, while a chest treatment takes approximately 30 minutes. It may take up to 24 hours to recover from the numbing injections.

How long does it take to see results?                                                            

Patients may see some initial effect but most lifting and toning will take place over 2-3 months, as tired collagen is replaced with new, more elastic collagen. As this collagen-building process continues, further improvements can appear up to 6 months following a procedure (see Ultherapy results in the photo gallery)

How long do the results last?                                                                         

Patients treated with Ultherapy still have fresh young collagen a year after the procedure, but skin continues to age. Future touch-up treatments can help keep pace with the aging process, and the appropriate frequency varies for each patient. Dr. Ishoo will design a treatment and maintenance program appropriate for your needs and goals.

Can Ultherapy replace a facelift?                                                                

Ultherapy is an “uplift” not a “face lift.” While it is not a replacement for surgery, it is a viable option for those not ready for a face lift or those looking to prolong the effects of cosmetic surgery. Ultherapy treats the deep foundational layer addressed in cosmetic surgery, but won’t duplicate the results of a facelift. Ultherapy is a great alternative, however, especially for those not ready for surgery or for patients looking to extend the effects of cosmetic surgery.

What about treating regions other than the face?                                          

With the addition of the new Ultherapy® Décolletage Treatment, Ultherapy is also now the only non-invasive procedure specifically indicated by the FDA to improve lines and wrinkles on the chest. Recent clinical research also show that Ultherapy can be effective in tightening sagging skin on other parts of the body, including the abdomen, under the arms and around the knees. If you are interested in areas other than the face, please schedule a consultation at Boston Cosmetic Specialists to see if Ultherapy would be a good approach to tighten and smooth your trouble spots.

How does Ultherapy compare to lasers?                                                  

Lasers rely on light energy, which cannot reach deeper skin layers at an optimal temperature, so laser treatments typically only treat superficial skin (e.g. fine lines, wrinkles, pigment changes) and are not FDA-cleared to lift skin and may not be safe for certain skin types. Ultherapy using focused ultrasound energy to address the deep skin layer to lift and lend support to the skin. The two technologies address different areas and thus can be used together when a combined approach is desired. Ultherapy uses sound energy – tried-and-true ultrasound – which has unique properties that allow it to bypass the surface of the skin to treat depths not matched by any other non-invasive cosmetic device. Ultherapy ultrasound stimulates collagen production in the skin’s foundation, resulting in a clinically significant lift of tissue over 2-3 months. Unlike LASERs, Ultherapy is safe for all skin types regardless of level of pigmentation. Since the two technologies often treat different types of skin issues, they’re actually very compatible and can be combined to achieve ever better facial rejuvenation.

Do I need to take time off after treatment with Ultherapy?                            

With Ultherapy, there is no downtime. After your procedure, you can resume your normal activities immediately, without having to follow any special post-treatment measures.

Are there any side effects?                                                                              

There may be slight redness for a few hours following the treatment, and it is not uncommon to experience slight swelling, tingling, tightness or tenderness to touch for a up to a week weeks. These side effects are typically mild and temporary. It is also possible to experience certain post-procedural effects such as bruising and small areas of numbness, but these are less common and will typically dissipate over the two weeks following treatment. As with any medical procedure, there is the possibility for other rare effects, which your practitioner will review with you.

How much does it cost?                                                                             

Ultherapy typically costs between $1,000 and $3,500 depending on the extent of treatment. You will receive a precise estimate after your consultation with Dr. Ishoo.

Is Ultherapy safe?                                                                                        

Ultherapy has been cleared by the FDA after demonstrating safety in clinical studies, and tens of thousands of treatments have been performed worldwide without any significant adverse events.

How many treatments are needed?                                                                    

The majority of patients only need one treatment, while those with a fair amount of laxity may need more than one treatment. Annual touch-up treatments can help slow down the rate of skin aging.

Who is a good candidate for Ultherapy?                                                      

There is a broad range of people who can benefit from Ultherapy, but typically those in their thirties and older are candidates. While this is not a replacement for surgery, there are many people who want some lifting, in order to look more refreshed and toned but are not ready for surgery (mentally, financially, or logistically). And then there are younger people who want to “stay ahead of the game” as well as those looking to prolong the effect of surgery.

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