The experience of Ultherapy: facial enhancement without the knife

The Skin Wellness Center has been performing Ultherapy now for about 8 months and we are seeing excellent results.

Portsmouth, NH – The Skin Wellness Center has been performing Ultherapy now for about 8 months and we are seeing excellent results. Ultherapy provides a real skin tightening result which can be seen in about 3 to 6 months. The results of many of our patients are now “maturing” or reaching their full benefit and it is very exciting to see the “Befores” and now the completed “Afters”. 

Many of our patients in their 50’s and 60’s report that they feel young, but just want to turn back the clock a little. I often hear, “I love my face, but my cheekbones are sticking out.  My jawline is sagging. Everything seems to be dragging. I don’t feel ready for surgery but I need some kind of a facial lift.” 

Ultherapy is an ideal procedure for both men and women looking for natural looking, noticeable, real results. Ultherapy is a non-surgical procedure that stimulates the body’s own healing process to tighten the skin over a few months’ time.  The use of FDA cleared ultrasound technology enables physicians, for the first time to see on a radiograph and then treat the deepest support layers of the skin without cutting or disrupting the surface of the skin, previously only possible to reach in cosmetic surgery. 

Ultherapy uses heat produced by precisely targeted sonic waves to startle aging collagen into rebuilding, which then tightens and lifts skin and underlying tissues.

Patients first have a consultation with Dr. Ballentyne, Director of the Skin Wellness Center or Dr. Lawrence Gray or Dr. Heidi Harrington, plastic surgeons, to determine if the person is a good candidate for Ultherapy.  An appointment is scheduled.  It is suggested that the patient take Ibuprophen and Tylenol an hour in advance to help make the experience more comfortable. After the patient is reclined in the procedure room, ultrasound gel is applied to the area to be treated by the technician for Ultrasound, either myself or Rachael Minnihan.  We are both highly trained and under the supervision of Dr. Ballentyne.   The wand is moved millimeter by millimeter over the face as it slightly pressed down. 

A first “pass” is made with the ultrasound wand, then a second pass. The treatment takes about 90 minutes for some areas and longer for others. The area around the eyes can take as little as 1 hour or less. Afterward, patients are able to return to normal activities immediately, and there are no special measures they need to take.

Collagen rebuilds over the coming months, slowly knitting together, giving you tighter, firmer skin that lifts due to the increased elasticity.This is your body’s natural healing response to micro-injuries of the collagen. Skin heals tighter naturally with ultherapy. Edges are softened, curves seem to bere-set to where they were when you were younger.  Circles beneath eyes appear lighter because the skin had improved collagen and is less droopy. 

With just one Ultherapy treatment, the lifting process is initiated, but the effect will increase gradually over two to three months, as new, stronger collagen and elastin are created. Further improvements can even appear up to six months following a procedure as this collagen building process continues.

While the results do not duplicate those of surgery, Ultherapy’s gradual improvements make it a compelling option for people who have mild to moderate skin laxity as well as those who want to stay ahead of the game and also for those looking to prolong the results of their cosmetic surgery. It is recommended to repeat the procedure every two years or when collagen production visibly starts to slow again. 

About Atlantic Plastic Surgery Center: 

Atlantic Plastic Surgery Center is the practice of New Hampshire plastic surgeon, Dr. Lawrence Gray, since 1985.  Dr. Gray is nationally and internationally recognized as the inventor of the scarless breast reduction, a procedure that eliminates scars associated with the older, traditional method of breast reduction. He has a large following of satisfied patients who have sought him out for breast augmentation and scarless breast reduction. Dr. Gray teaches at educational conferences for the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and at the International Society of Plastic Surgeons.   Dr. Heidi Harrington is a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast surgery, both cosmetic and reconstructive.  Dr. Mark Ballentyne is a highly skilled physician who has been Director of Medical Aesthetics at the Skin Wellness Center since 2003.  Dr. Ballentyne is board-certified by the American Academy of Family Practice Physicians, is licensed to practice in New Hampshire and is certified by the Board of Aesthetic Medicine.  He has established a strong reputation for his talent in administering dermal fillers, BOTOX Cosmetic and Dysport injections, and Fraxel laser treatments and is a national trainer for Allergan. For more details visit us at: http://www.atlanticplasticsurg.com