Ultherapy: Say Good Bye to Sagging Skin!
By Dr. Shehla Ebrahim, MD

Few things are as inevitable as gravity’s toll on your skin. One day, all of a sudden, reality stares you square in the face. You might initially think it’s because you did not sleep well the previous night, but eventually you admit that an afternoon nap is not going to solve this issue. It’s a bona fide eyebrow droop!

Non-surgical methods to treat laxity of the face and neck are among the most sought-after solutions in aesthetic medicine. Many technologies to tighten the skin have been introduced in the past, and a variety claim to achieve skin tightening. Yet none have been shown to be consistent and reproducible, and many patients leave dissatisfied. Enter Ultherapy: a novel technology and a quantum leap from other non-surgical, energy-based devices used to tighten and lift the skin. This technology combines ultrasound imaging with acoustic energy to visualize tissue under the skin followed by the precise delivery of energy to the desired depth.

Ultherapy: A Non-surgical Breakthrough

As we get older, our faces sag and wrinkles appear due to gravity and sun. Until recently, the main approach to the improvement of skin laxity was a facelift – an effective but invasive procedure associated with downtime plus a risk of scarring and side effects. Ultherapy using ultrasound is a novel device that delivers energy that tightens the skin without cutting. No scalpels, no needles, no cutting. Ultherapy, however, is a not a facelift and does not give the same results as a facelift. A facelift stops the clock. Ultherapy slow down the aging process by creating new structural collagen. As a standalone treatment, Ultherapy may be optimal for surgical candidates who are unwilling or unable to undergo surgery or for those candidates who wish to postpone surgery.

The beauty of Ultherapy is that there is no downtime. There is no swelling, bruising or crusting and patients can return to work the same day. It’s aptly called the ‘Lunchtime lift’. Ultherapy uses ultrasound heat to set collagen production into overdrive deep below the skin’s surface. As it kicks in, the brow firms, the jaw line becomes well defined and the neck lifts. It’s a lunchtime lift without any surgery. Even more alluring is the Ultherapy provides an immediate smoothing effect. And since the collagen continues to grow, results actually improve over the course of a few months. More than 90 percent of patients notice improvement in tone, texture and some tightening within a few weeks, and are even more excited with the results after three to six months, when the deep wrinkles become fine lines and eyes appear more open.

The duration of response after a single treatment is estimated to last about 1.5 years. The ideal candidate is someone between 35 and 60 with early signs of laxity. These patients see results within three to six months with a single treatment. Patients over the age of 60 may require a second treatment in six months. Many patients are looking to stay competitive in the workforce, which they believe is tied to their appearance. Whether improving their appearance to look more vibrant or for the associated confidence boost, people perceive this to be important and they come into my office looking for help.

Stand Firm in the Face of Gravity

Ultherapy has been extensively publicized in the media as a safe and effective procedure for lifting and tightening of the skin. You may have seen Ultherapy through Dr. Oz, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar or other fashion magazines. Once it was featured on the larger talk shows, the flood-gates opened and our phones were ringing off the hook. Be aware that every procedure has risks and side effects if not done properly. With Ultherapy, the heat from the procedure could make you wince, and transient numbness along the jaw line is possible, though temporary. It is therefore, important to locate an experienced physician to perform the procedure.

Ultherapy offers a distinct advantage over other non-surgical alternatives. Most non-surgical, energy-based devices currently on the market treat only the skin’s surface.

Ultherapy goes deeper, providing a different dimension to rejuvenation; depositing energy at very precise depths because it sees and treats at the same time. Treatments can also be individualized according to each patient’s concern. Because the effects occur below the surface, treating specific facial areas individually is certainly possible with Ultherapy. However, most patients select full-face treatments as the best option for a more uniform result.

Metvix® comes in a cream containing methyl aminolevulinate, which is specifically absorbed into the altered skin cells of these lesions.  Metvix® causes porphyrins to accumulate and be absorbed selectively by the AK and BCC lesions. These porphyrins are light sensitive, so when the Metvix is illuminated and activated by the Red light source, it causes a chemical reaction in the skin cells that destroys the lesion.

If you have actinic keratoses or basal cell carcinomas, call Afterglow for your complimentary consultation with Dr. Ebrahim.

If you want skin that is smooth and lustrous, do the math and call Afterglow to learn how our lasers can  help you.

The principal behind this therapy is simple:  when applied to the skin, under a local or topical anaesthetic, channels are created deep into the dermis of the skin.

These channels cause keratinocytes and fibroblasts to produce numerous growth factors which induce the growth of collagen – with no damage to the epidermis!

Dermal Rolling is used to soften fine lines, tighten skin, restore elasticity plus reduce the appearance of scarring, pigmentation marks and stretch marks.

The procedure is safe, entirely natural with a short healing period of approximately 5 days.  No sun sensitivity is induced and it can be used on laser resurfaced skin.  Another advantage to this treatment is the areas it can be used on:  face, neck and body!

So get Rolling and call Afterglow for your complimentary consultation.

I thought you might be interested to know I am now offering a new groundbreaking cosmetic treatment for the face and neck that has recently received national media attention. Our practice is the only one on the North Shore to offer the new Ultherapy® procedure.

The treatment Ultherapy®, uses ultrasound energy to reach the damaged skin layers that cause skin to ‘sag’ (including the deep support layers addressed in surgery) without disrupting the surface of the skin for a non-invasive ‘lift’.

After just one Ultherapy® treatment and no downtime, one will initially see signs of improvement with some lifting and tightening. However, the building of new collagen occurs gradually over the two to three months following treatment, helping the skin maintain it’s youthfulness.

Look who’s talking about Ultherapy®: Dr. Oz, Rachel Ray, The Doctors, Vogue Magazine, Self Magazine and many more.

Ultherapy® is a wonderful option for someone looking for a non-surgical way to counter the effects of time and gravity. I welcome the opportunity to answer any of your questions. Please contact us for a complimentary consult at either Afterglow in North Vancouver or my new second location opening July 4, 2011 in West Vancouver: Ambleside Dermedics and Health Centre. We look forward to hearing from you.

Restore your skin's youthful glow...

Laser Genesis Skin Therapy has recently arrived at Afterglow. This non-invasive treatment safely and effectively treats fine wrinkles, large pores, uneven skin texture, scars and diffuse redness in both men and women. While you will see a subtle improvement after each individual treatment, the cumulative effect of multiple treatments can be quite dramatic. There are no unpleasant side effects such as bruising or excessive skin irritation.

Laser Genesis Skin Therapy treatments are performed in a relaxed and comfortable manner without the need for topical anaesthetics or gel. Clients who have received the treatment report excellent results over the entire face and  neck. (The treatment can also be applied to scarring on other parts of the body.)

Prior to treatment, you will be asked to remove all makeup. You will feel a gentle warming of the skin’s surface as the laser handpiece is moved  half an inch above the surface of your skin. As the upper dermis is gently heated, collagen renewal is encouraged*, pores are reduced in size, and redness is diminished. Over the course of four or five treatments, Laser Genesis Skin Therapy can help restore the skin’s youthful glow and appearance by smoothing out uneven texture caused by aging or sun damage. The complexion will appear more creamy as minor imperfections disappear.

Now you can have a more youthful appearance by treating the conditions typically associated with premature aging and sun damage. For more information or to set up a consultation/appointment, please call Afterglow today at 604.980.3993, or email us at info@afterglowskincare.ca

* Laser Genesis Skin Therapy has been scientifically proven to stimulate collagen growth.

Actual patient results. Photo used with permission.

The MicroLaser Peel ® : Using the new Sciton Contour TRL™ laser, the upper layer of your skin will be gently and safely treated using a vaporization process. This has the effect of reducing fine lines, as well as toning and texturizing your skin. You will also notice a mild tightening effect.

The Resurfacing Peel: Using a different head on the Sciton Contour TRL™ laser, your skin will be gently treated to a deeper level than during a MicroLaser Peel®. This procedure is for skin that is showing deeper wrinkles or scars and needing increased toning and texturizing. The mild tightening effect will be intensified. (Actual depth of treatment will be determined by Dr. Ebrahim during your consultation.)

Best of all, it will normally take only one procedure to achieve these improvements!

To know more about how the Sciton Contour TRL ™ can help your skin look its very best this year, please call Afterglow at 604-980-3993 or email us to set up an appointment.

Beautiful Lips Package: It’s kissing time again! With all the new spring lip colours on drugstore shelves, many of us are wondering how we can make our lips look plumper and more youthful.

Women generally seek lip enhancement for one of two reasons: They were born with “thin” lips, and would prefer a fuller, more plump appearance, or they are noticing that their lips are becoming flatter and less “padded” due to aging. Either way, a treatment at Afterglow can restore or create natural-looking fullness in the lips, in a mere half hour or so.

To help your lips look their very best, Afterglow is offering a special lip enhancement package, Teosyal Kiss®, a safe and pain-free filler that has a completely natural feel and will not “drift” inside the lips.

Laser Hair-removal Package: If facial or body hair is getting the better of you and you are tired of reaching for your razor, tweezers, depilatory, or waxing kit, a Laser Hair Removal treatment at Afterglow could well be the answer…

Women frequently have unwanted hair on the upper lip or eyebrow area, in the bikini zone, under the arms and on the legs, while men often wish to rid themselves of excessive hair on the back, chest, between the eyebrows or on other parts of the face.

The Sciton BBL™ (Broadband Light) laser offers a safe, effective and permanent alternative to shaving, tweezing and waxing, that you are sure to love.

Please call Afterglow at 604-980-3993 or email us now for more details.