Is a Facelift Without Surgery Really Possible Using Ultherapy?
- Posted on: Nov 22 2016
When you look in the mirror, you might wonder (as you have so many times) about whether a facelift would give your jawline a little 
more contour, relieve some of the lines that have crept in around your eyes and cheeks and give your face a “lift” – it probably would… but then again, maybe you don’t want something as drastic as surgery. All you’re really looking for is a little touch of rejuvenation, something to turn the clock back just a few years.
This is the dilemma many of my patients tell me about in our consultations. I always explain to them that, like many other things, it’s a trade-off: no minimally invasive procedure will give you the same results as surgery, but the alternatives to facial surgery are pretty effective and long-lasting… and often more affordable.
There’s a reason the facelift remains the gold standard in facial rejuvenation. Quite simply, no technology can deliver the same amount of lifting of the face as a facelift – not even Ultherapy. The results of a facelift (even a mini facelift) can last for up to 10 years, and restore you to a natural looking version of your younger self. Facelifts are one of my favorite surgical procedures to perform, which is why it’s my specialization. I’ve performed more than 20,000 facial surgeries in my career, and have developed a technique that’s as minimally invasive as possible, which I call the Azul Natural Lift. Over the years, I’ve refined the Azul Natural Lift to create the most effective, natural looking and long-lasting results for each patient. Delicate sculpting of fatty tissues, combined with tightening and removal of excess skin and fat, rejuvenates the entire lower face and leaves only a few incisions that heal to be nearly invisible.
Ultherapy, on the other hand, is classified as a non-invasive procedure, since it involves no surgery at all, and no downtime. Ultherapy is a non-surgical lifting procedure that uses ultrasound technology to penetrate deep into the foundational tissue. While it certainly does provide skin with a “lift” – it isn’t a non-surgical alternative to an actual facelift. Here’s how Ultherapy works: an Ulthera wand allows us to see the underlying layers of skin in order to direct focused ultrasound energy that stimulates collagen production providing you with firmer skin. Ultherapy is FDA-approved to treat sagging, wrinkled skin on the brow, cheeks, chin, jawline, neck and even the décolletage. It’s completely non-invasive – no cutting, sutures or scars – and can be completed in 60 to 90 minutes. Aside from some possible minor bruising, there is no significant downtime, and no post-treatment pain medication required. As long as you remain a good candidate in good health, Ultherapy can be repeated as needed.
No matter which procedure you choose to go with, you’ll need to supplement with some volumizing filler. I typically combine a facelift with a fat transfer, while Ultherapy patients benefit more from dermal fillers like Dysport or Sculptra. My team and I are always glad to answer your questions about any aesthetic procedure, surgical or otherwise. We’ll help you understand the benefits of Ultherapy when you contact Azul for a free consultation. Whichever you choose, you’ll have the surety of knowing you’re in the hands of a facial specialist who’s committed to helping you look and feel your best!
Posted in: Procedures