Have you been curious about using ultrasound to help lift saggy skin and refresh your look? With the recent arrival of Ultherapy Prime in Singapore – the upgraded version of the legacy Ultherapy machine – now’s the perfect time to get your questions answered. Here, DR TERENCE TAN of Halley Medical Aesthetics – one of the clinics in Singapore now offering Ultherapy Prime – breaks down some common myths and misconceptions about this popular non-invasive ultrasound treatment.
Myth #1: Ultherapy Prime is a laser
Dr Tan: Ultherapy Prime is not a laser. The two treatments do share some similarities in treatment outcomes like skin tightening and facial rejuvenation. However, they utilise different technologies and have different uses. Lasers produce an intense beam of light at a specific wavelength to target the upper layers of our skin to rejuvenate it. They help with skin rejuvenation and lifting as well as issues like acne scars, pigmentation, blemishes, large pores and even tattoo removal.
Meanwhile, Ultherapy Prime uses micro-focused ultrasound technology to boost new collagen and elastin production for intense non-invasive skin lifting. The ultrasound energy penetrates deep into the skin, reaching exact depths of 1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm. This process not only lifts saggy skin but also rejuvenates our face naturally by getting our body to generate its own collagen. As a result, it addresses skin laxity due to ageing and helps to smoothen fine lines and wrinkles. Ultherapy Prime gives you a fresh and youthful look, all without surgery and downtime.
Myth #2: It burns fat and causes volume loss in the face
Dr Tan: I understand that on the internet, some people have the opinion that Ultherapy reduces fat. However, this is not true. Ultherapy Prime is not indicated for fat removal and there is no scientific evidence that Ultherapy causes significant fat reduction. It is designed to stimulate new collagen in the skin for skin tightening without affecting fat cells.
Myth #3: This treatment is only meant for older people
Dr Tan: Studies have shown that most patients notice some form of ageing starting in their 30s. Therefore, patients in their 30s and upwards would be good candidates for Ultherapy Prime. Younger patients benefit from treating ageing early as a preventive treatment to maintain skin firmness, youthfulness and elasticity.
Myth #4: Ultherapy Prime is painful
Dr Tan: As with everything that we do, good preparation is key to a successful treatment. Numbing cream and possibly oral painkillers make the treatment a comfortable one. This is especially so when the numbing cream is applied well and oral medications are taken early. During treatment, a cooler will be used to blow cold air to cool the surface of the skin. This results in a more comfortable experience. Lastly, Ultherapy Prime works by delivering lines or shots of ultrasound energy into the layer of skin that generates collagen. Studies have shown that the number of lines is more important than the actual energy level. Therefore, I can customise the energy level during treatment according to the patient’s comfort level while still ensuring that I have an effective outcome.
While pain management is important, safety and effectiveness are also important. Ultherapy Prime’s high-resolution real-time imaging also enables doctors to see the skin layers with clarity and plan for where to treat. This “See, Plan, Treat” (SPT) protocol enables me to direct the ultrasound energy at the correct layers of skin and underlying tissue to promote collagen while avoiding the bones and other danger areas. This results in a safer, more effective treatment with less pain. With all of that, Ultherapy Prime can be a comfortable treatment.
Myth #5: It makes me look tightened and frozen
Dr Tan: The result from Ultherapy Prime is subtle and natural-looking. That’s because the treatment uses your body’s own collagen to do the lifting. You can expect gradual lifting of your skin after one session which improves over time.
Myth #6: Ultherapy Prime is only for women
Dr Tan: Just like saggy skin can affect both men and women, Ultherapy Prime is suitable for both men and women. If you have skin laxity or are starting to notice collagen loss, this treatment can help slow down or reverse the signs of ageing.
Myth #7: It only works for the face
Dr Tan: Ultherapy Prime is not just for treating the face. Besides lifting droopy eyelids, reducing the appearance of eye bags and dark eye circles, and tightening saggy skin to enhance facial contours, the treatment can also effectively lift the skin around the neck, rejuvenate the décolletage and tighten loose skin over other body areas. A full range of transducers or applicators allows us to customise and ensure that even the areas that are typically more difficult to reach can be treated properly.
More about Dr Tan and Halley Medical Aesthetics
Founded by Dr Terence Tan in 2013, Halley Medical Aesthetics is conveniently located in orchardgateway. It focuses on helping patients feel confident and radiant through safe and effective non- and minimally-invasive treatments to achieve natural-looking results.
At the Halley group of clinics, which includes Halley Body Slimming Clinic, doctors continuously seek ways to improve patient care and ensure optimal results. This is why Halley Medical Aesthetics offers Ultherapy Prime. This updated version of the Ultherapy device offers non-invasive, no-downtime skin tightening. Other treatments available at the Halley group of clinics include CoolSculpting fat reduction, weight loss medications, facial contouring with botulinum neuromodulator and dermal fillers, skin hydration with skin boosters, and more.
Halley Medical Aesthetics
#03-15 Orchardgateway, 277 Orchard Road
6737 8233 | halley.com.sg | info@halley.com.sg
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