By Dr. TRACY MOUNTFORD, MBBS MBCAM
Our collagen levels begin to deplete at a rate of 1% a year from the age of 25, which is a pretty scary stat. However, there is an increasing awareness of the benefits of collagen regenerating treatments such as Ultherapy, among individuals aged 29-45 years, who account for 70% of all Ultherapy® patients. This skin savvy audience has recognised the benefits of investing in their ‘collagen bank’ for better skin in the longer term and are using it as a preventative measure to ageing.
Not only has Ultherapy® been named by a panel of leading experts as the Gold Standard Treatment for Non-Surgical Lifting and Tightening, but The Cosmetic Skin Clinic is also the UK Centre of Excellence for Ultherapy® in the UK, so you can be sure that you are in good hands.
What is Collagen?
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and is the substance that holds the body together. It is found in the bones, muscles, tendons and the skin.
Collagen is regarded as a ‘scaffolding for the skin’ like the foundations of a house as it provides strength and structure to create optimum support. It helps keep skin firm and plump, whilst supporting sculpted contours and makes up 75% of your skin’s dry weight and is most prevalent in the second layer of your skin; the dermis. Collagen plays a huge role in diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and contributes to making the skin appear more youthful and vibrant.
How does Ultherapy® stimulate collagen levels?
Your body’s ability to produce healthy amounts of high-quality collagen depends on your age, which is why it is becoming increasingly important to ‘invest’ in your collagen at an earlier age. Ultherapy® is a collagen regenerating treatment and is scientifically proven to stimulate new collagen and elastin. But how does it work?
Ultherapy uses precise micro-focused ultrasound with visualisation (MFU-V) energy to target the deep structural layers of the skin which does not disrupt the skin’s surface. After the treatment, the body’s tissue repair process stimulates the production of new collagen and elastin, which creates a gradual lifting effect.
Patients now recognise the benefits of Ultherapy® as a first line of treatment for skin maintenance and optimum skin health. The results driven non-surgical Ultherapy® treatment enables the skin to naturally lift and tighten, so patients can achieve a lifted mid-face, a more defined jawline and neck, or natural looking brow lift.
Ultherapy® in your 20-30’s
You’re probably wondering what benefits there are to having a collagen stimulating treatment before you can see any lines or wrinkles forming? In the simplest terms: Ultherapy® can help to slow down the ageing process in the long term whilst also giving you a noticeable lift and tightening of the skin in the short term. Ultherapy® is a non-invasive treatment for those aspiring to have a more defined jawline or a slightly elevated brow. The biggest patient gains for this category are:
- Results are visible two to three months post treatment
- Long lasting results up to a year to eighteen months
- ‘Banking your collagen’ for the future
Instead of your collagen depleting at a rate of 1% a year, your body will continue to produce collagen, meaning Ultherapy® can be a great preventative measure to ageing.
Ultherapy® in your 40’s +
Don’t worry, the benefits aren’t just for the younger audience. If the Ultherapy® treatment wasn’t an option available in your 20’s or 30’s, the good news is it’s not too late. It works the same as above by sending concentrated ultrasound waves deep into the skin and SMAS muscle. It targets the inner, deeper layers of the skin, where the ultrasound waves heat up the underlying tissue to activate the body’s healing response, which, in turn, stimulates collagen and elastin production. Therefore, there are huge benefits for patients who are in the forty to sixty age category who have lost collagen and elastin, where there is more skin laxity too. For these patients, Ultherapy® can tighten and lift the mid-face, neck, jawline, under the eyes and forehead as well as a gentle lift to the brows creating a non-surgical eye lift. It can even be used to firm the skin on the décolletage and stomach area. Ensuring natural looking results with long-lasting benefits.
