Ultrasound skin tightening is yet another option for those who want facial rejuvenation without downtime and surgical scars. Ultrasound makes use of acoustic or sound waves with frequencies above what humans can hear – hence its name, “ultra”-sound. Ultrasound brings about short-term, immediate changes as well as much longer lasting results. It does so in a number of ways. The heat and vibrations from ultrasound can be designed to produce thermal effects at various depths of skin and deeper tissues. The heat produced by ultrasound waves increases blood flow providing the fibroblasts, the most common cells in the skin, in assisting the skin to rejuvenate itself and increase collagen production. Ultrasound waves are also capable of selectively injuring the skin to trigger a natural healing response. These combined thermal effects cause the skin lifting, tightening and firming that can be experienced after ultrasound therapy. The improvements are due to growth of new collagen and straightening of elastin fiber in the skin.
Ultrasound energy used in this way also improves the superficial skin layer, exfoliating and smoothing it, and leading to what appears as an improvement in skin colour and complexion.
Contraindications to Ultrasound –
- Active infection, open wounds or acne at treatment site.
- Pregnancy.
- Pacemaker or other electrical medical devices.
- Medical conditions that impair wound healing.
