At annual awards ceremonies such as the Oscars or the Grammys, stars shine. Among those who graced the red carpet in a sea of ballgowns, there was a handful of individuals who deserve our two thumbs up for gracefully defying the cruelty of gravity and the depravity of time. The magic behind the stars’ youthful and timeless glow? The science of well-defined facial contour.
Courtney Cox, Kim Kardashian, Halle Berry and Jennifer Aniston admitted that they went through a procedure that uses ultrasound-based energy technology to tighten their skin. At present, the technology is considered the gold standard in skin lifting and tightening treatment. Let’s take an in-depth look at this procedure then.
Skin ages for a variety of different reasons including our environment, health, the food we eat and more. It starts from around the age of 25 when ageing signs such as small wrinkles, loss of volume and density become apparent on the surface of the skin. The supporting structure that defines facial features is comprised of the outer skin layer, the inner skin layer or the dermis, and the deeper connective tissue covering the muscle aka the Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS). Over time, the components of the supporting structure become less elastic causing excess loose skin, drooping eyebrows and sagging jowls.
The micro-focused ultrasound-based technology offers non-surgical treatment that targets both the SMAS and the dermis. This is the only procedure that affects the SMAS layer at the depth of 4.5mm, the same depth where plastic surgeons commonly perform facelift surgeries. The treatment yields gradual results that include an improvement in new collagen production that directly benefits the facial supporting structure.
Similar to ultrasound used in medical imaging, the focused beam of ultrasound energy can be made to pass harmlessly through the skin allowing the beam to target deeper tissue than any other technology. New clinical studies conducted on new software systems along with new treatment guidelines have shown that by decreasing the ultrasound energy level and increasing the density of ultrasound lines during the treatment, a more effective result can be achieved with a high rate of patient satisfaction.
After the procedure, patients can return to normal activities immediately because no downtime is required. The skin may appear flushed at first, but the redness will disappear within a few hours. Noticeable improvements will take place over 90 to 180 days.
The micro-focused ultrasound based-technology is not meant to be a replacement for an invasive facelift, but it offers a viable alternative for those with different preferences and for those who cannot have surgery. The treatment is not only for celebrities but for everyone who wants to feel their best and to be “red carpet ready” every day of the week.
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.