General Health

Ultherapy® vs. Facelift – Which Results Last Longer?

Although you can’t stop the aging process, there are treatments available that can give you a more youthful appearance. While the facelift is a very popular facial rejuvenation option, there are also non-surgical alternatives like Ultherapy® that can also be very effective.

Both procedures can boost the overall appearance of your skin, but many patients want to know which results last longer — Ultherapy® or a facelift.

The Options for Facial Rejuvenation

If you’d like to refresh your facial appearance, it’s best to discuss your options with a plastic surgeon. The plastic surgeon will evaluate your facial features and identify your specific needs. He/she will then help you to make the right decisions regarding which facial rejuvenation program will meet your aesthetic goals.

Related Post: Are Fat Injections Painful?

Ultherapy® Procedures

Ultherapy® is a minimally invasive facial rejuvenation treatment that uses ultrasound to renew the skin. Minimally invasive treatments have become popular, because there are fewer risks and minimal downtime associated with them.

According to their official website, “Ultherapy® is the ONLY FDA-cleared, non-invasive procedure that lifts and tightens the neck, chin and brow, and improves lines and wrinkles on the chest.”

As a result, Ultherapy® is often the ideal solution for people who want a fresher, more youthful look, because it tightens and lifts the skin. It is a good alternative for older adults who are not ready or willing to undergo surgery, or for younger patients who would like to get a head start in the battle against aging.

How Ultherapy® Works

The focused ultrasound energy penetrates down to the structural layers, without disturbing the outer surface layer of the skin. Ultherapy® is unique in its approach, because it is the only minimally invasive facial treatment that affects the support layers of the skin, which are addressed during surgery.

Ultherapy is a safe treatment that has been performed worldwide without any serious side effects. Results achieved with Ultherapy® are subtle and look natural.

A full facial rejuvenation treatment takes about 60 minutes to complete.

Related Post: Guide to Thermage® Wrinkle Treatments for Anti-Aging

Facelifts

A facelift is a surgical procedure that is done to rejuvenate aging features, and improve your overall appearance. A facelift generally treats the lower half of the face, as it improves sagging jowls and jawline, and loose skin on the neck. When done correctly a facelift should give you natural-looking results.

Traditional facelift surgery involves removing excess skin, and tightening the underlying muscles. For best results, the surgeon will lift the structures of the face and recontour facial features, and only remove a minimal amount of tissue.

Ultherapy® vs. Facelift

Whether you’re considering Ultherapy® or a facelift, it’s important to have realistic expectations about your outcomes. Additionally, you will need to have an assessment done by a plastic surgeon with expertise in surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation options.

The decision regarding which procedure to choose will depend on the condition of your skin, as well as your specific goals. Ultherapy® is a less invasive procedure with minimal downtime and few complications, while cosmetic facelift surgery is a longer procedure that also comes with a longer recovery time.

Related Post: What’s the Typical Recovery Time for a Facelift?

Which Results Last Longer, Ultherapy® or Facelift?

The results seen with Ultherapy® are not equivalent to those achieved with surgery, but it is a good facial rejuvenation option for the right candidate. Click here to see before-and-after photos of patients who have been treated with Ultherapy®.

The effects of Ultherapy® treatment typically last between 1½ to 2 years. However, some effects are long-term because Ultherapy® stimulates collagen production. Collagen is a natural protein that keeps the skin firm and toned.

A facelift produces more dramatic results that typically last 5-10 years.  However the longevity of the facelift is influenced by several factors, including the quality of your skin. If you had great skin before the facelift, your results are likely to last longer than someone who had photo-damaged skin.

Although the normal aging process will continue, undergoing an Ultherapy® procedure will absolutely provide noticeable results. Similarly, undergoing a facelift will make you look younger than you are, even as you age.

While patients who undergo Ultherapy® often have a revision treatment after 1-2 years, very few patients have a second facelift.

Additional Resources

Video: The Glam Belle – My Ultherapy Experience

 

Video: Dr. Oz Speaking About Ultherapy

 

Find a Plastic Surgeon for Ultherapy®

  • Click here to find a Plastic Surgeon near you at MD.com
  • Click here to search for doctors offering Ultherapy® at Ultherapy.com

Ultherapy® in Orange County

Clients in Orange County can contact Dr. Kyle Song of Song Plastic Surgery in Irvine CA. Dr. Song can provide patients with more information to help make the decision between Ultherapy® procedures or facelift surgery. Dr. Song will conduct a thorough assessment of your facial issues, and recommend the treatment that will best achieve your aesthetic goals — click here to contact Dr. Kyle Song today.

Kyle Song, MD

Kyle Song, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon at Song Plastic Surgery
Dr. Kyle Song is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Irvine, California.
Kyle Song, MD
Kyle Song, MD
Kyle Song, MD

Kyle Song, MD

Dr. Kyle Song is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Irvine, California.

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