After a certain age, we all have it: the dreaded loose skin. On the face, it is one of the first tell-tale signs of aging but skin tightening has come a long way from the surgical facelift. These days, new non-surgical procedures such as Thermage and Ultherapy may offer impressive skin tightening effects without anesthesia, downtime or surgery. Using ultrasound, Ulthera reaches deeper underlying muscles and connective tissues in the face to tighten skin from the inside out.

Actual Ulthera Skin Tightening Results of Dr. Haresh Yalamanchili

"With Ulthera, we can reach some of the deeper facial structures and some of the connective tissue that we could only get with surgery before. That is truly what's exciting about Ultherapy," describes Houston facial plastic surgeon Dr. Haresh Yalamanchili. "We can tighten up some of the deeper muscles and connective tissue without having to use a knife or sutures by going deeper under the skin with the ultrasound. Therefore patients don't have the downtime or the expense associated with traditional surgery."

Ultherapy uses DeepSEE technology that allows physicians to see the depth to which they are treating, eliminating any guesswork. "What is revolutionary about this technology is that you're using ultrasound - which has been around for 40 years - and you are, first of all, able to visualize the deep structures of the face and the skin," states Dr. Yalamanchili, "Now we're also able to treat those precise layers in a very exact manner using the same ultrasound." With the combination of ultrasound power and DeepSEE technology, Ulthera allows physicians to precisely see the patient's facial structure and offers control of the depth of treatment, meaning more predictable and better results.

However, with good beauty results does come a price. According to Dr. Yalamanchili, physicians often tread a fine line when offering procedures that are comfortable vs. effective since a completely pain-free option may not provide acceptable results. "There is some discomfort associated with Ulthera but the procedure will yield results," says Dr. Yalamanchili, "Plus, we have tricks to make the experience much more palatable and comfortable."

Another point that Dr. Yalamanchili stresses is the Ulthera skin tightening procedure will not yield the dramatic results of a traditional surgical facelift and certain patients have more success with the treatment than others. ""Patients in their late 30s to early 50s typically respond a bit better and have a more dramatic result. They still have good elasticity and are in the early stages of loose skin. Those are a bit older may benefit from additional treatment 4-6 months after their original session." Patients who have sun damage or severe wrinkles are not Ulthera candidates as these patients will not receive the best results and may benefit from more aggressive treatments, such as fractional skin resurfacing.

Actual Ulthera Results of Dr. Haresh Yalamanchili

FDA approved as a non-invasive eyebrow lift, physicians are finding off-label use for the treatment that offer good skin tightening results. "As you get a little bit older," describes Dr. Yalamanchili, "Your cheeks begin to descend or droop a little bit. Jowling and laxity in the neck all respond very well to the Ultherapy." Physicians are also experimenting with Ulthera on other parts of the body.

Ulthera treatment time is between 45 minutes to an hour and there is no downtime; patients can return to normal activities immediately. Some patients see results immediately but final results will not be apparent until several months down the line. Dr. Yalamanchili says, "The ultrasound is actually stimulating the growth of collagen in your body. That process takes several months so patients will see a gradual change." Cost varies on size of the area being treated: from $2,000 to $4,000.