Ultrasonic lifting - description of the hardware procedure, contraindications and cost in salons

Ultrasonic lifting is a non-surgical facial tightening and rejuvenation using an ultrasound machine. The essence of all anti-aging procedures is to influence the superficial and middle layers of the epidermis and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin - the main components of firm and elastic skin.

• Essence of the procedure
• Indications and contraindications for the procedure
• The procedure for carrying out the ultrasound procedure
• Facial care after the procedure
• The required number of procedures and how long the effect lasts
• Advantages and disadvantages of SMAS lift
• The possibility of combining ultrasound lifting with other anti-aging techniques
• Ultrasound for tightening at home

Essence of the procedure

The main difference between ultrasound rejuvenation and other non-surgical hardware techniques is the deeper penetration of ultrasound waves down to the muscle fibers of the subcutaneous layer. This is a unique alternative to plastic surgery with less tissue trauma.

Similar procedures are carried out using special devices of the Altera system. In this regard, rejuvenation using ultrasound is called “Altera Ultrasonic Lifting”. An ultrasonic lifting device directs ultrasound into the muscular aponeurotic layer (SMAS) up to 4.5-5 cm deep. SMAS is the same muscular frame for the skin tissue of the face, where the bulk of collagen and elastin accumulate in the form of fibers.

With age, the frame weakens, the aging process begins - the oval of the face changes, the eyebrows and eyelids droop, the chin “floats”. To eliminate such defects, simple exposure to epidermal tissue is not enough.

Not everyone knows what lifting is and what its essence is. A cosmetologist will answer all questions about the effects of the Ulthera System device:

Correction of facial contours and rejuvenation of the skin tissues of the face and décolleté are achieved through the active influence of high-frequency ultrasonic waves. Epidermal fibers are tightened as a result of heating and a kind of tissue massage, during which the vital activity of skin cells is stimulated by improving blood microcirculation and saturating them with oxygen and nutrients. Metabolism at the cellular level accelerates, natural regeneration of the epidermis is restored, scars and seals dissolve, pores narrow and fat plugs come out, dead skin cells fall off.

Ultrasonic face lifting involves heating certain points of the muscular aponeurotic layer. In the pulsed mode of the ultrasound device, short and long ultrasonic waves are simultaneously exposed to one point, which is heated. As a result, a micro-pinch effect is achieved. When there is a lot of “pinching” in this area of ​​the SMAS, the muscle fibers begin to twist and contract. In this case, the upper layers of the epidermis are tightened and an immediate effect of strengthening the skin “framework” occurs. The subsequent effect will be noticeable within 3-4 months as collagen and elastin accumulate in the dermal layers.

Operating principle of ultrasound

The lifting technique using ultrasound is based on the principle of deep heating of the muscular aponeurotic frame of the face: focused ultrasound waves easily pass through the surface layers of the skin, reaching the depth necessary for correction of the skin, and produce local heating of the tissues. Due to this thermal effect on the deep layers of the skin, collagen fibers are compressed and tightened, soft tissues contract, which provides an instant tightening effect.

In addition, ultrasound exposure on the muscular aponeurotic layer stimulates the growth of new collagen fibers, so skin tightening becomes more noticeable several months after the procedure. Ultrasound also produces an internal micro-massage of the muscles, saturates them with oxygen, activates cellular metabolism and energy, promotes the resorption of small seals and sebaceous plugs, therefore, after the ultrasound lifting procedure, the skin is not only noticeably tightened, but also acquires a healthy appearance.

Indications and contraindications for the procedure

Ultrasound lifting is indicated in the following cases:

• decreased skin elasticity due to tissue aging;
• networks of wrinkles in the corners of the eyes, in the nasolabial area, neck and décolleté;
• changes in facial contour, sagging cheeks and chin;
• loose and sagging skin;
• ptosis of the upper eyelids, brow ridges, abdomen, buttocks, etc.

Contraindications:

• violation of the integrity of the epidermis - wounds, scratches, cuts;
• inflammatory processes on the skin - acne, acne, furunculosis;
• pacemaker in the heart muscle;
• period of bearing a child or breastfeeding;
• diabetes;
• the presence of keloid growths at the site of exposure;
• infectious diseases;
• neuropsychic pathologies;
• tumors of various etiologies;
• after 55 years, since the procedures no longer give the desired result.

Indications for the procedure

Ultrasonic lifting is indicated for the following cosmetic problems in the face, neck and décolleté:

• drooping of the corners of the eyes, eyebrows, lips;
• sagging skin folds in the cheeks, eyelids, cheekbones;
• appearance of a double chin;
• deformation of the facial structure, “blurry” contours, lack of a clear oval;
• uneven skin texture, sagging, loss of elasticity;
• pronounced signs of skin aging (“crow’s feet” around the eyes, facial wrinkles on the forehead, near the mouth);
• to prevent the appearance of age-related soft tissue ptosis.

The procedure for carrying out the ultrasound procedure

It is necessary to immediately make a reservation that the final effect of the ultrasound treatment on the epidermis will be noticeable after 4-6 months. The production of the required amount of new collagen and elastin is possible within 3-4 months. In the process, the skin fibers are gradually tightened and strengthened. Before the session begins, the skin is treated with an anesthetic (anesthetic gel is applied), then the area is disinfected with chlorhexidine.

Points of influence are marked on the face using a ruler. First, one half of the face is treated. This is done so that the client can compare both halves of the face and note the first positive effects of ultrasound lifting.

Video of ultrasound lifting using the Doublo device in the salon:

During the session, warmth and tingling are felt in the treated areas, pain is moderate. Sometimes there is a feeling of skin tightness.

The session lasts from 30 to 60 minutes. In normal skin conditions, slight redness is observed, which goes away after 2-3 hours. Sometimes swelling may appear during the first 2 days.

Get a discount on the procedure:

— Are the attachments on the device individual for the patient?

— No, the attachments are non-individual, but the patient should not worry about this. The attachments are always thoroughly sterilized.

— What are the contraindications to the Ultraformer procedure?

— Non-absorbable (non-biodegradable) threads are an absolute contraindication to the use of this technique, due to the fact that these threads are placed exactly at the depth at which the device operates, and there is a risk of burns.

In addition to non-absorbable threads, these are skin diseases in the acute stage in the treatment area.

— Are dental implants or a chin implant installed a contraindication?

— Dental implants and crowns are not a contraindication to the procedure. But regarding the chin implant, this is a relative contraindication; the doctor will bypass this area during the procedure.

— How does the patient feel during the Ultraformer procedure?

— We do everything to make the procedure comfortable for the patient. Therefore, before the procedure, Emla anesthetic cream is applied topically. Discomfort during the procedure is minimal and generally depends on the thickness of the fatty tissue - where the fatty tissue is thinner, the areas are more sensitive.

Markings are made using special stencils. During the procedure, impulses pass along the marking lines, which are felt as heat of varying degrees of severity. Towards the end of the procedure, heat will build up and it may feel a little more painful. There are no discomforts after the procedure.

— What is the duration of the Ultraformer procedure?

— The duration of the procedure depends on the number of lines (number of zones) of treatment; usually about 90 minutes are allotted for the procedure.

No pain and rehabilitation

— What effect can be achieved on the body using the Ultraformer procedure?

— On the body, as well as on the face, Ultraformer gives the effect of tightening the skin and reducing adipose tissue, improves the quality of the skin, and removes sagging. As a rule, the most problematic and sought after areas are the inner surface of the shoulder (arms), folds on the stomach and waist, and the contours of the buttocks, which need to be emphasized. Ultraformer is often used to eliminate unevenness left after liposuction.

— Will the price of a body procedure remain the same or will it be more expensive?

— The price will be higher, since it is calculated by lines, and there are more lines on the body than on the face.

Elena Viktorovna, thank you for the interesting story!

Facial care after the procedure

After this lifting procedure, you must refrain from the following actions for 5-7 days:

• do not allow the treated areas to heat up for 3-5 days - avoid direct sunlight, wash only with warm water, do not visit the sauna and baths;
• do not sunbathe or visit a solarium;
• Intense physical exercise and stress that causes increased sweating are not recommended;
• do not use cosmetics.

Side effects of ultrasonic SMAS lifting

Although ultrasound facelift is considered a relatively safe procedure, some women, due to the individual characteristics of the body, may experience not entirely pleasant side effects, including:

1. Redness of the skin. This reaction of the skin to the influence of ultrasonic pulses is quite understandable and does not pose a danger to facial health: in people with thin epidermis, blood vessels are located very close to its surface. Under the influence of ultrasound waves, some capillaries burst, the blood from them stains the skin, but this phenomenon is short-lived and, as a rule, disappears within a couple of hours.
2. Severe discomfort in the treated area during lifting, skin soreness after the procedure. Due to the thermal effect on the deep layers of the dermis, internal trauma occurs, so slight soreness of the skin may persist for a month after the lift. During the procedure, patients should not feel severe pain and burning due to the effect of local anesthesia. If increased pain occurs during the tightening process, you must immediately notify the doctor in order to avoid unwanted complications.
3. Decreased sensitivity of the skin. This side effect most often occurs in women with problematic and sensitive skin - for a week after ultrasound rejuvenation, the patient may be bothered by partial or complete numbness of the facial skin. In order not to further injure it, it is better for this period to refuse cosmetics containing abrasive particles or acids - scrubs, masks, peelings.
4. The ultrasound lifting procedure requires only a few hours of time and does not change the patient’s usual lifestyle, but in the first days after it, slight swelling of the tissues may remain on the face as a result of the thermal effect on the dermis. To quickly get your face in order, after ultrasonic skin tightening you should:

• Avoid intense physical activity for a week;
• Don’t bend down too much for a couple of days;
• until the swelling completely goes away, avoid thermal procedures (baths, saunas, sunbathing);
• For a month before going outside in frosty weather, lubricate your face with a rich, nourishing cream, and in hot weather with sunscreen.

The required number of procedures and how long the effect lasts

The procedure can be performed once a year, not more often. Ultrasonic face lift improves skin texture and reduces sagging in various areas of the face (eyebrows, eyelids, cheeks). The procedures are carried out not only to eliminate existing defects, but also to prevent sagging soft skin tissues. The maximum age at which ultrasonic lifting will have an effect is up to 50 years. As a rule, when lifting the skin of the face, the rejuvenating procedure is also applied to the cervical area so that there is no sharp contrast.

The lifting effect from eliminating eyebrow ptosis lasts for 6-9 months. In the case of particularly sensitive skin, redness, swelling, bruising or hematomas may occur at the site of exposure to ultrasonic waves, which quickly disappear (maximum after 1-3 weeks).

What is ultrasonic lifting

Ultrasonic facelift is a cosmetic procedure used to improve appearance. This type of lifting helps:

• correct the oval of the face;
• eliminate age wrinkles;
• give skin elasticity;
• raise the corners of the lips and overhanging eyebrows;
• tighten the skin of the abdomen, as well as other parts of the body.

Such lifting (or SMAS lifting) is carried out using specialized devices such as Altera, Dablo, Ultraformer, which emit focused ultrasound or, in other words, HIFU. HIFU penetrates deep into the skin and connective tissue to a depth of 1.5 to 4.5 cm and creates local heating points of up to 60 degrees, which allows the skin flap to shrink and create a lifting effect. Local heating also stimulates the formation of new collagen and elastic fibers.

Ultrasonic lifting devices emit two types of waves: scattered ultrasound, which allows you to visualize all layers of skin and subcutaneous fat, as well as muscles and bones, which ensures the safety of the procedure, and focused ultrasound, which creates heating points.

The effect of ultrasonic non-surgical facelift is visible immediately after the procedure, and also increases over 6 months and persists for 1-2 years. After this, a repeat procedure will be required.

Advantages and disadvantages of SMAS lift

SMAS ultrasound lifting has a lot of advantages that have made this procedure popular among women and men.

These include the following:

• with ultrasound exposure, all layers of the epidermis are affected - superficial and middle, fatty layer, muscular aponeurotic, deep tissues of the dermis;
• You can lift any parts of the face and neck;
• high effectiveness of procedures;
• short rehabilitation process;
• no marks or scars remain after treatment;
• during the procedure, the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells increases due to increased blood flow;
• pores become significantly narrower and the “orange peel” disappears;
• acne is effectively treated;
• Only 1 session is performed, no need to visit a cosmetologist for a long time;
• can be carried out in any season;
• the effect lasts 1-3 years;
• safety of the method.

After ultrasound rejuvenation, all facial features are tightened, the shape of the face is restored, and the double chin disappears.

Disadvantages of ultrasound procedures:

• the presence of a large number of contraindications;
• the appearance of bruises and hematomas;
• some pain during manipulation.

This is where the disadvantages of the SMAS lift end, which makes this rejuvenation method almost indispensable in modern cosmetology.

Price

The cost of an ultrasound facelift is determined by several factors:

• area that needs lifting;
• the number of lines running through the treated area;
• the type of device used to perform rejuvenation.

You can find out approximate prices for ultrasonic SMAS lifting in Moscow using different equipment from the table:

The possibility of combining ultrasound lifting with other anti-aging techniques

To obtain a greater and longer-lasting Altera-lifting effect, many cosmetologists successfully combine it with the following techniques:

• injection rejuvenation (subcutaneous administration of Botox, Xeomin, Dysport);
• bioreinforcement;
• introduction of biological products under the skin using biorevitalization and mesotherapy;
• microdermabrasion - peeling facial cleansing with the application of special aluminum oxide crystals under high pressure.

Stages of the procedure

At the beginning of the procedure, the cosmetologist assesses the condition of the skin and decides on the intensity and depth of exposure to ultrasonic waves. Next comes the procedure itself, lasting 1-2 hours.

Sequence of actions during ultrasonic face lifting:

• Cleansing . Particles of dirt, dust, dead cells and fat accumulations are removed from the skin with a special cleanser.
• Disinfection . Wipe with an antiseptic with chlorhexidine or another suitable one.
• Marking . The specialist draws lines dividing the face into areas. Each zone requires a specific wavelength, frequency and duration of exposure.
• Applying the gel . It moisturizes, reduces skin sensitivity, increases impulse conductivity. Promotes better glide of the device. The gel additionally has a lifting effect. It contains hyaluronic and fruit acids.
• Impact of the device . The specialist processes each marked area. Often, it first affects one half of the face, and then proceeds to the second. This is done for comparison. The result is immediately visible in the form of noticeable tightening and reduction of sagging.
• Ending . The specialist removes any remaining gel and moisturizes the skin with a softening cream.

If a tingling sensation occurs in sensitive areas in the eye area, above the upper lip and on the neck during the procedure, the cosmetologist reduces the depth of penetration of the waves.

We invite you to watch a video about the stages of ultrasonic lifting:

Ultrasound for tightening at home

At the first signs of the gravitational type of aging of the skin, you can perform ultrasound facial lifting at home. Compact ultrasonic devices are commercially available for these purposes.

To carry out an ultrasonic facelift at home, you need to have an ultrasound device Gezatone KUS-2000, a special lifting serum and a conductive gel. Before carrying out the procedure, you must carefully study the instructions and recommendations.

In general, ultrasound lifting is simple. Serum is applied to a cleansed and disinfected face. After it is absorbed, a thin layer of gel is applied. The device must be set to pulse mode. The treatment is carried out with light massaging movements along the contours of the face.

In 1 year, you can conduct no more than 3 courses of ultrasound massage. The course includes 15 procedures, the interval between each session should be 3-4 days.

Thus, today lifting using ultrasonic waves is the only method of influencing the deep layers of the skin and muscle fibers of the dermis. The procedure has a double effect - an instant facelift and a gradual increase in the elasticity and firmness of the skin due to collagen and elastin. This is the most reliable way to get rid of the signs of gravitational aging and the effect of sagging facial skin, “throw off” 5-8 years, and feel like a young and confident woman.

What are the advantages of the procedure

Ultrasonic facelift has the following advantages over surgical plastic surgery and other anti-aging techniques:

1. During the ultrasound lifting process, there is no injury to soft tissues, so the possibility of scars, bruises, and scars is eliminated.
2. The penetration of laser waves deep into the skin structure provides effective multi-level lifting, the result of which is visible immediately after the lift and lasts for a long time.
3. The procedure is completely safe and practically painless, therefore it does not force the patient to give up her usual lifestyle, does not require rehabilitation measures, and only in isolated cases can cause unpleasant side effects or complications.
4. For a more pronounced rejuvenation effect, non-surgical lifting using ultrasound can be combined with other methods that help tighten the skin and smooth out wrinkles (injections, hardware or cosmetic procedures).
5. Ultrasound technology can be used on any part of the body - face, neck, décolleté, and such rejuvenation is possible at any time of the year.
6. The effectiveness of ultrasonic SMAS lifting in most cases is 100 percent, and if necessary, a second lift can be performed several years after the first one.

How is the procedure done?

To carry out the procedure, you must consult a dermatologist and cosmetologist. If there are no contraindications, ultrasound lifting is prescribed. Three days before the facelift, it is recommended to avoid cosmetics and skin care products, especially those containing glycolic and salicylic acids.

Important! No tests are prescribed before the procedure. However, it is recommended to check yourself and inform your doctor about the presence of chronic diseases.

The procedure itself is carried out in stages:

1. Removing fat, dead cells, makeup. For this purpose, special lotions are used, and a cream is applied that relieves the sensitivity of the upper layer of skin.
2. The areas of skin that will be subject to the procedure are marked.
3. A gel is applied to the skin to allow the ultrasound device to glide and better conduct the waves deep into the dermis. Afterwards, the cosmetologist places the required attachment and adjusts the device to the required power. The degree of impact on the skin is determined during the consultation.
4. Treatment of the skin of the forehead, eyelids, cheeks, and neck with an ultrasound device. The cosmetologist moves a special nozzle along the markings; at this time, a feeling of tingling, tension, or warmth is possible. If the burning sensation causes discomfort, do not tolerate it and be sure to tell the specialist.

Interesting! Many Western stars perform lifting with ultrasound. Simon Uryan is the most famous cosmetologist who recommends this method for rejuvenating the face and neck. The entire family of the famous Kim Kardashian family uses the Georgian method.

The lifting procedure takes up to two hours on average. The duration depends on the size of the treated areas, the condition of the skin, and the age of the patient. You can evaluate the final result after a facelift six months after completing the entire course. The rejuvenation effect will last up to 3-4 years.

You will learn more about ultrasonic SMAS lifting from the video: