No-knife facelift: subtle but visible results
When you age, your skin starts showing signs of aging. You may start seeing fine lines develop, they then progress to become wrinkles and folds later. Today we’re going to briefly introduce you two revolutionary facelift procedures that you may consider for subtle yet natural noticeable results.
While there are various options for facial rejuvenation from microneedling, radiofrequency to ultrasound (high intensity focused ultrasound), there’s only one ultrasound procedure that is Health Canada-approved for skin lifting, and that is Ultherapy:
Ultherapy: HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) skin lifting and tightening
Ultherapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure to encourage the natural formation of collagen and elastin in the skin, giving it the ability to lift tissue. By using ultrasound and the body’s own natural healing process, Ultherapy lifts, tones, and tightens loose skin on the brow, neck, and under the chin.
Powered by the Ulthera System, Ultherapy is considered a first-of-its-kind technology unprecedented in the marketplace. It is substantially different than other in-office aesthetic devices because it combines visualization beneath the skin’s surface with non-invasive delivery of ultrasound energy at depths that enable significant lifting of the skin. Ulthera’s patented DeepSEE technology allows physicians to see and treat deep below the skin without surgery.
Ultherapy is the first ever non-invasive therapy to receive Health Canada’s clearance to achieve skin lifting. While Ultherapy is clinically proven to lift and tighten your skin, natural results show 3-6 months after, for new collagen takes time to be generated.
Learn more about Ultherapy here.
Instalift: thread lift with biodegradable sutures
Fortunately, there’s an alternate form of non-surgical minimally invasive procedure – thread facelift or thread lift – that allows immediate results to be seen right after procedure. A thread lift is a procedure that uses medical-grade dissolvable sutures (the thread device) to tighten and lift your facial skin by restoring the sagged tissues back to their original positions. The sutures pull the tissues up, thus provide immediate lifting effect after they are inserted under the skin.
Currently in Canada, only one type of thread lift procedure is approved. The Silhouette InstaLift is an innovative, non-surgical treatment for patients looking for lift and volume who are not ready for surgical facelift procedures. Its Micro-Suspension Technology™ immediately lifts your mid-facial skin, including sagging cheeks and deeper nasolabial folds. It also boosts volume by activating your natural collagen production over time.
Micro-Suspension Technology™
InstaLift’s micro-cones are placed in the deepest layer of the skin. These bi-directional cones provide an immediate and long-lasting lift. The micro-cones and sutures are absorbed by the body and activate your natural collagen production over time for up to 2 years, for a more youthful appearance.
Learn more about InstaLift here.
Ultherapy and InstaLift, which one should I go for?
Both technologies are clinically-proven for skin lifting and collagen stimulation for longer lasting results (and other of them are the one and only Health Canada-approved procedure in ultrasound lifting and thread lifting respectively). The main difference between the two technologies is the time required to see results.
Ultherapy works by hitting the tissues deep down under the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin formulation. Since it takes roughly 2-3 months for new collagen and elastin to grow, results will only start showing by then. However, Ultherapy is crowned the gold standard in skin lifting not for no reason – it is the only procedure that is able to reach the deep SMAS layer (in easier terms, the foundation layer of the facial anatomy) normally that is only reachable through facelift surgery. It takes only one session to see improvement and results last for 1 year.
On the other hand, InstaLift provides immediate initial lifting effect with the thread device that pulls the skin tissues upwards. The cones of the devices continue to stimulate collagen, with evidence showing continual improvement of skin quality and facial volume for results that last up to 2 years. It allows precise placement of the device to target the tissues needed for treatment and refinements later. Overall, the results are more predictable.
Am I a good candidate for these new innovative procedures?
Both men and women can be good candidates, however, not everyone is. To determine your candidacy, please schedule an appointment for a consultation and assessment.
