As a specialist in Los Angeles cosmetic surgery, I am often asked to explain the pros and cons of different procedures to my clients. Some of the most common questions these days center around Ulthera® ultrasound therapy, the breakthrough procedure that continues to garner national attention. I was one of the very first Los Angeles cosmetic surgeons to bring Ulthera® ultrasound therapy into my office, so I get a lot of questions about how Ultherapy® stacks up against conventional cosmetic surgery, and when I might recommend one over the other.
First things first. Ulthera® is a safe and noninvasive procedure in which a wand is gently applied to your face that sends precisely calibrated sound waves into the tissues. It works essentially the same way as a prenatal ultrasound, except that Ulthera® sound waves are tuned to stimulate the growth of natural collagen instead. I have been performing Ulthera procedures far longer than many physicians in Beverly Hills (I never let a technician do it!), so I have plenty of experience with these results over many months and years.
What are the advantages of Ulthera® over traditional surgery? The biggest advantage of this low-impact procedure is how gentle it is on your skin, your face, your budget, and your calendar. Ultherapy® is quick and easy – typically the procedure is over in about an hour, and there is no need for anesthesia, bandages, or a lengthy recovery. You can get right back to your life. The results continue to bloom and improve for several months following the procedure, and will not begin to fade for about a year. Best of all, the collagen produced is your own, and the effect can be dialed up or down depending on your needs.
So why would someone choose conventional facial cosmetic surgery procedures such as eyelifts, browlifts, facelifts, or rhinoplasty instead? I can think of two reasons. The first is that surgery is designed to create more dramatic improvements, including structural changes that can bring your facial features into a more harmonious balance. The second is that generally speaking, facial cosmetic surgery has no expiration date. In the hands of an experienced Los Angeles cosmetic surgeon, the procedure will age gracefully with you, without need for additional procedures. The only disadvantages are time and expense – conventional plastic surgery typically involves lengthier recovery times, and can create subtle scarring that may linger for a few weeks.
The only way to decide between Ulthera® and conventional cosmetic surgery is to speak with an expert cosmetic surgeon who is practiced in both approaches. To learn more, please contact my Los Angeles cosmetic surgery offices today for a free consultation.