How does treatment comfort compare across different transducers?
Some people might describe the deeper transducers to be a bit more achy, while the more superficial ones to be a bit more sharp. But most patients find that it is all very tolerable. This is especially so with the new Ultherapy Prime machine, which our patients report to be more comfortable than the first generation Ultherapy.
Are there specific post-treatment care recommendations for each transducer? Are there differences in downtime or post-treatment care depending on the transducer used?
The after procedure care advice is the same: No alcohol or vigorous exercise post Ultherapy. Use gentle cleaners, moisturizers and sunblock as well. There is usually no downtime with Ultherapy. There may sometimes be a little redness or swelling or wheals after a treatment, but they usually go away after a few hours.
How does the introduction of the 1.5mm transducer reflect advancements in non-invasive skin tightening technology?
We understand that when treating the skin, it is important to target the right layer, but multiple layers as well. The 1.5mm transducer also allows us to treat a wider group of patients who are more concerned about delicate areas as well.
What trends are emerging in patient demand for non-surgical lifting and collagen-boosting treatments?
The trend is to move towards treatments that are able to achieve a more natural look. Gone are the days of pillow-face and bombastic looks. The trend is also to move towards preventative treatments and collagen banking - addressing the signs of aging before it occurs.
How do you tailor treatment protocols for different age groups or skin types using various transducer depths? Is the 1.5mm transducer suitable for patients with sensitive skin or those new to energy-based treatments?
If the goal is to achieve a more lifted, sculpted appearance, we usually use more of the deeper transducers. They are usually for our more mature patients. For the younger crowd, we will utilise the superficial 1.5mm transducer more for improvement of skin quality. The 1.5mm transducer is suitable for patients with sensitive skin and new to energy based treatments.
Conclusion:
Ultherapy is a treatment that requires a practitioner who knows what the patient's skin needs and is able to plan out and execute the treatment specifically tailored to address the skin concerns. With multiple depth transducers and real time imaging, we can do just that.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Harold Ma, and Dr. Chester Lan.