41% of women state that they’d like to look younger, according to a survey carried out by Sanctuary Spa Wonder Oil Serum. As such, an increasing number of women are turning to collagen boosting treatments, such as ultherapy and thermage, as the skin protein is well known for making the skin appear, smoother, plumper, and, best of all, younger. But which of these treatments will have the biggest benefit on your skin?
What is Ultherapy?
Ultherapy is often referred to as a mini-facelift. However, the biggest difference between ultherapy and an actual facelift is that no surgery is involved. In fact, ultherapy is currently the only non-invasive procedure which has been given the green-lift from the FDA. Ultherapy.com suggests that individuals in their thirties who have noticeable wrinkles or loose skin on the neck, chin, and chest region are most suitable for ultherapy treatment. When a woman has ultherapy, ultrasound energy is used to create heat. In turn, this penetrates the epidermis and travels through to the dermis. This process helps to restore the production of collagen from within, which results in the skin tightening and an improvement in the firmness and overall appearance on the face.
The benefits of having ultherapy
As ultherapy is approved by the FDA, you can be sure that the procedure meets their strict criteria. Ultimately, this makes it a fairly safe treatment. Another benefit is the fact that there is no downtime following the procedure, which means you can go about your day to day business as normal. But perhaps the biggest advantage of ultherapy is that noticeable results can be seen in a matter of days as the procedure is fast-acting and gets to work improving the collagen production in your skin quickly.
Ultherapy considerations
One of the biggest factors to consider regarding ultherapy is cost. Ultherapy on the neck can cost upwards of $2,500, depending on your location. And if you want the effects to last, you’ll need to have repeat procedures approximately every 18 months, so the cost can soon mount up. You also need to be aware of the short-term side effects which include swelling, bruising, numbness, tingling, and sensitivity.
What is thermage?
Thermage is another type of non-surgical facelift. However, instead of using ultrasound to stimulate collagen production within the skin, thermage utilizes radiofrequency technology to heat up the various layers of the skin. Thermage is most commonly used by individuals in their mid-thirties and upwards, according to Sylvia Down from Skin Renu. But it can yield results for anyone who has loose of saggy skin on their face or body.
The benefits of thermage treatments
Thermage can be used on areas on the body which are renowned for being problematic areas for loose skin, including the face, neck, stomach, arms, and thighs. As a result, thermage can boost overall body confidence, which is advantageous as 80% of U.S. women say they don’t like how they look. And, as thermage treatments are non-invasive, there’s no downtime following treatments, which is beneficial for individuals on-the-go.
What to consider
Thermage isn’t a quick fix solution to loose skin. The treatment, which costs an average of $2,000, encourages the growth of new collagen over the course of six months, which means it can take some time for you to see noticeable results. Once full collagen reproduction has occurred, Dr. Doris Day states that your skin will look smoother and tighter for “years depending on the condition and the patient’s natural aging process.”
As with most beauty treatments, side effects can occur. During and after a thermage treatment, you may experience stinging, redness, and swelling for a few hours to days. But the good news is that the incidence of side effects for tthe treatment is less than 1%,, so the likelihood of long-term issues arising following your treatment is low.
Both ultherapy and thermage can give you more youthful looking skin which looks healthier and plumper. But as these treatments come at a significant cost, you should carefully consider the benefits of each before choosing your preferred option, to ensure you get the best results for your money.
