Ultherapy Treatment at the Dermatology Clinic: Key Steps to Know If You're Concerned About Pain Beomgye, Pyeongchon, Beomgye Station, Pyeongchon Station, Hogye-dong, Bisan-dong, Gwanyang-dong, Dongan-gu, Indeogwon, Geumjeong, Anyang

When considering Ultherapy treatment, many people are more curious about the pain than the expected effects.

As this treatment delivers ultrasound energy to the deep layers of the skin, stories about pain are often heard first, which can increase anxiety.

Here, we explain the causes of pain during Ultherapy treatment, appropriate anesthesia methods, and the step-by-step process on the day of the procedure.

Pain is related to the depth at which ultrasound energy is delivered

Ultherapy is a treatment technique that uses high-intensity focused ultrasound to deliver thermal energy to the SMAS layer deep within the skin.

The SMAS layer is located deep beneath the skin's fat layer and supports various facial tissues. As energy reaches this deep area, not just the skin surface, a unique sensation of stimulation can be felt.

Each part of the face has different skin thickness and tissue depth, so the degree of stimulation felt may also vary from one area to another.

The sensation felt during the procedure is often described differently by individuals.

Immediately after the procedure, the skin may feel somewhat taut, and in the initial stages, it commonly appears with swelling.

We primarily use topical anesthetic cream

For Ultherapy treatment, topical anesthetic cream is usually applied, and in some cases, the procedure is performed without anesthesia.

Topical anesthetic cream helps patients receive treatment while conscious.

Sedation anesthesia is generally not a recommended anesthesia method.

Ultherapy is performed by applying the treatment tip firmly to the skin to deliver ultrasound. Maintaining close contact between the tip and the skin is crucial for energy to be precisely delivered to the target depth.

During sedation anesthesia, there is a possibility that the patient's head may move involuntarily. If the tip detaches from the skin at this point, the ultrasound delivery location may differ from the plan.

When conscious, these movements are reduced, and the sensations felt during the procedure can help estimate which areas are receiving energy.

The treatment day proceeds in four stages

The first stage of the procedure involves consultation and designing the treatment area while seated.

In a reclining position, sagging tissues may appear less severe than they actually are due to the effect of gravity pulling them upwards. Therefore, to accurately assess the extent of skin sagging, we first conduct an examination in a seated position.

We physically feel the skin to check the thickness of each area and determine the type of tips to be used on the upper cheekbones, jawline, and cheeks, establishing a detailed treatment plan.

The second stage is the anesthesia process.

If you discuss your concerns about pain or sensitivity with the medical staff, you can collectively decide whether to proceed with topical anesthetic cream.

In the third stage, energy is delivered while monitoring the ultrasound screen in real-time.

Ultherapy shots deliver energy in a 25mm-long line shape, not as dots, which is the default setting recommended by the device.

Since the treatment method involves filling the entire face with thin lines, more than 600 shots are generally recommended. The appropriate number of shots may vary depending on the individual's face size and degree of sagging.

Even with the same 600 shots, if the line length is reduced in the settings, the area covered by one shot decreases, changing the total amount of energy actually delivered.

Ultherapy tips have a predetermined focal depth where energy converges, depending on their type. For example, a 4.5mm tip focuses at a depth of 4.5mm, and a 3.0mm tip focuses at a depth of 3.0mm.

However, the actual depth of the SMAS layer varies from person to person, and even within the same face, there are differences across various areas.

Assuming the SMAS layer is located at a depth of 3.8mm, a 4.5mm tip might focus energy deeper than the SMAS layer, and a 3.0mm tip shallower. In such cases, if the tip is applied vertically, both scenarios could miss the target.

In such situations, the practitioner utilizes a 'tilting' technique, angling the tip to adjust the actual depth of energy delivery, striving to focus more precisely on the SMAS layer.

Patients can inform the medical staff at any time if they experience discomfort during the procedure.

The fourth stage involves recording details related to the completion of the procedure.

After the procedure, we provide a lifting card containing treatment information, such as the type of tips used and the number of shots delivered to each area.

Immediately after the procedure, the skin may feel tight or swelling may occur. While individual differences exist, gradual skin changes can generally be expected starting approximately one month after the procedure.

Ultherapy is a treatment that can be considered when the facial contours have become indistinct due to skin sagging. It is best to accurately determine the suitability of the procedure through consultation with a specialist.

Three things to check during consultation if you are concerned about pain

First, it is important to thoroughly discuss the anesthesia method. We recommend hearing about the decision regarding topical anesthetic cream or proceeding without anesthesia, and the reasons why sedation anesthesia is not recommended.

Second, regarding device settings. It is advisable to ensure that the length of the ultrasound lines, the total number of shots, and the types of tips to be used on each area are thoroughly explained before the procedure.

Third, communication during the procedure. As the treatment is performed while you are awake, it is good to check if there is an atmosphere where you can inform the medical staff and have adjustments made whenever you feel discomfort.

Considerations for Ultherapy Treatment

At Kkeut Korean Medicine Clinic, we believe the preparation process is important to ensure patients fully understand the procedure and feel comfortable receiving it.

Before the procedure, we first design while the patient is in a seated position, directly checking the skin thickness of each area to carefully select the appropriate tip.

We adjust the tilting angle while directly checking the skin layers on the ultrasound screen. We make full use of the time required for this process to aim for precise procedures.

We keep a record of the procedure details through a lifting card, and the equipment's setting screen is also transparently disclosed before the procedure to help patients feel at ease.

The procedure is performed using a standard length of 25mm, and you can directly verify in advance how the settings are applied accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much pain is involved during Ultherapy at a dermatology clinic?

A. Ultherapy is a procedure that delivers energy to the deep layers of the skin, so a certain level of stimulation may be felt. The degree of pain varies depending on the treatment area and individual, and it is usually performed with topical anesthetic cream.

Q. Can Ultherapy be performed under sleep anesthesia?

A. We do not recommend sleep anesthesia for Ultherapy. This is because if the head moves during the procedure, the tip's position can become unstable, leading to inaccurate treatment areas. At Kkeut Korean Medicine Clinic, we perform the procedure while the patient is awake.

Q. How many shots are usually administered for Ultherapy?

A. Ultherapy is performed by filling in fine lines on the face, and generally, we recommend 600 shots or more. However, the number of shots required may vary depending on the patient's face size and degree of skin sagging, so it will be determined through consultation with the medical staff.

Q. When do the effects of Ultherapy typically begin to appear?

A. The effects observed after Ultherapy may vary among individuals. Generally, changes may gradually become noticeable starting about 1 month after the procedure, and slight swelling may accompany the initial period.

Kkeut Korean Medicine Clinic's Treatment Philosophy

At Kkeut Korean Medicine Clinic, we pursue customized procedures through precise design performed with the patient in a seated position and a tilting technique adjusted while viewing the ultrasound screen.

Procedure details are meticulously recorded and managed on a lifting card. This provides transparency of treatment information to patients and is an important process for building trust.

Performing procedures with a standard 25mm length and disclosing equipment settings are done to enhance the accuracy of treatment and satisfy patients' right to know.

We believe that subtle differences can create better results. We invite you to experience Kkeut Korean Medicine Clinic's approach.