There are many signs of aging that develop over time, with skin laxity standing out as one of the most obvious. As once-firm skin grows looser due to loss of structure and support, the face and neck can develop wrinkles, creases, and sagging. Happily, Ultherapy at Palm Beach’s Carroll Dermatology can counter these age-related changes to help the skin look and feel more youthful once again.
Ultherapy is an entirely nonsurgical treatment that uses ultrasound energy to trigger natural processes that result in a skin-tightening effect.
Laxity develops as collagen naturally breaks down due to age and environmental factors, such as sun exposure. Youthful skin is abundant in collagen, which is continuously replenished, but that replacement cycle starts to slow once a person reaches their 20s. Since collagen is responsible for giving the skin a firm framework, loss of the protein causes a noticeable change—which is made worse by a corresponding loss of elastin (which gives the skin its flexibility) and hyaluronic acid (which helps to moisturize and hydrate the skin). Other age-related changes, like bone recession, can further cause the skin to loosen, since it no longer sits tight against the contours below.
Ultherapy can counter all of this. Ultrasound energy emitted by the device passes through the surface and stimulates cells known as fibroblasts, which begin processes to make new collagen and hyaluronic acid. The resulting increase in structural protein restores volume that pushes the skin’s surface outward for a tighter and smoother look, like adding new air to a balloon that has grown soft over time. Collagen also provides a scaffold that prevents sagging while holding moisture-providing hyaluronic acid.
Skin laxity can develop on many parts of the body. Ultherapy can treat the face, neck, décolleté, knees, arms, abdomen, and anywhere on the body to tighten and create a more youthful appearance. Facial treatments can include the brow and the area below the chin.
Since collagen creation is a gradual process, the results of an Ultherapy session will develop over weeks and months. This new collagen will provide a visible lift that can last up to a year or longer. Since even the newly made collagen will begin to break down, follow-up Ultherapy sessions can be scheduled to address laxity once again.
Since there are no incisions and no skin is removed, healing time is minimal. Patients will be able to enjoy their typical daily activities as soon as they would like to get back to them after a session.
All collagen-creating treatments can give the skin a bit of a boost. While ultrasound energy is ideal for the face, neck, and décolletage, microneedling can also provide a skin-firming effect where applied. Laser treatments, such as Fraxel laser skin rejuvenation or CoolPeel, also prompt collagen generation along with a range of other beneficial effects. Talk to the Carroll Dermatology team to discover which treatments might work best for you!
.png)
.png)
.png)
