How do Skin Tightening process works?
Dr. Vi Sharma has worked in the field of cosmetic surgery
He has a Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery, Monash University; and former member of the Australasian College of Aesthetic Medicine and the Royal Australian College of General Practice.
As we age, we all eventually start to see the skin on our cheeks and neck sag and our triangular faces (from cheekbones to chin) become more rectangular. This happens because the fat pads in our cheeks slip and fall down our cheeks over time, and 1% of our collagen is frighteningly lost every year starting around age 25 and continues inexorably every year thereafter.
Ultrasound skin tightening treatment is a relatively new treatment option for people with loose and sagging skin. The procedure helps to rejuvenate the skin around the face without leaving surgical scars. It also minimises downtime because recovery is fast. Note that the procedure is different from what doctors use for medical imaging.
The procedure, also known as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), is non-invasive and minimal discomfort. It relies on ultrasound energy to promote collagen production, which is essential for firmer skin. HIFU is also effective in the treatment of tumors, for lifting eyebrows and for softening wrinkles. Ultrasound therapy is usually used on the forehead, neck and under the chin.
The best candidates for ultrasound skin tightening are people between the ages of 35 and 65 who have some degree of skin laxity in the face and body and want to delay or avoid cosmetic surgery and invasive procedures. People who smoke or have excessively sun-damaged skin are not good candidates for ultrasound facial and body rejuvenation, as their skin’s ability to produce new collagen may be compromised.
How does facial ultrasound work?
- The device used in ultrasound skin tightening is much more useful than laser devices. It penetrates 5 millimeters deep under the skin and reaches the second layer of muscles below the facial muscles. The ability to go this deep is essential because the collage production takes place in these lower layers.
- The dermis layer of the skin contains most of the expert structures and cells of the skin. Once you reach the age of 20, it has less ability to synthesize collagen. In women, estrogen levels decrease with age, making the skin thinner and drier.
The collagen renewal process will continue for three to four months after treatment, so the reduction in skin laxity is likely to be gradual rather than immediate. However, you may notice an improvement in the texture and quality of your skin. Wrinkles will be less pronounced during that time and the loose skin on the face will tighten. The platysma bands in the front of the neck tighten and firm the neck area. Eyebrow lifting, which occurs after ultrasound treatment, reduces excess skin on the eyelids and refreshes the eye area.
Using an ultrasound procedure, the dermis is stimulated to produce new collagen. The result is younger and firmer skin as the tissue provides more support to the skin.
Risk or Complications of Ultrasound Skin Tightening Process
Each treatment method has its pros and cons. Ultrasound for a facelift is a relatively safe procedure when performed by a trained and qualified doctor. You can also continue with your daily activities once you leave the surgery. However, be aware of possible side effects or complications:
- Redness that persists for more than one day after treatment
- Skin sensitivity that lasts more than a month after treatment
- Swelling that lasts more than four weeks and does not go away with the first application of a cold compress
- Bleeding from the skin under the dermis that does not subside within two weeks
- Grooves or scratches on treated skin.
In rare cases, you may also notice palpable nodules under the skin or partial paresis of the motor nerves. If any of these complications occur after treatment, see your doctor.
Most patients only need one procedure, but some may benefit from more than one treatment depending on their biological response to ultrasound and the collagen production process, as well as how much laxity they have in their skin.
During the ultrasound skin tightening in Sydney, which can take up to 30 to 90 minutes depending on the area being treated, patients may experience varying levels of discomfort as the ultrasound energy is delivered. Sensations are only noticeable when power is supplied.
Patients may see some immediate effects, but the ultimate lifting and toning takes place over the next two to three months. Further improvements may appear up to six months after the procedure. The effects of treatment can last up to a year. Follow-up treatments can be performed.
