Ultherapy: What is See, Plan, Treat and Why is it Important?

When it comes to non-invasive lifting of the face and neck, Ultherapy is usually one of the most popular treatments that come to mind. And it is easy to understand why. Apart from the procedure being US FDA-cleared, there also have been over 1.75 million Ultherapy treatments performed worldwide with a relatively high satisfaction rate. 

One thing that sets it apart from other non-surgical lifting procedures is that it offers a Hyper-Personal Lift treatment. It involves the use of real-time imaging to find out what your skin needs and plan the right treatment technique. This customized solution involves three stages: See, Plan, Treat, also known as SPT Protocol. 

Let us dig deeper into how Ultherapy lifts and tightens the skin, and how important the See, Plan, Treat Protocol is in achieving optimal results.

How Ultherapy lifts the skin

Ultherapy delivers time-tested ultrasound energy into specific skin layers to stimulate collagen production. It is the only US FDA-cleared non-invasive treatment for lifting the skin on the face, brow, neck, and under the chin. It has also received the European CE mark for non-invasive dermatological lifting and sculpting of the upper and lower face, neck, and décolleté.

This non-invasive procedure can treat the skin’s foundational layer called SMAS (Superficial MusculoAponeurotic System). This layer is usually treated in cosmetic surgery, but with Ultherapy, it can be addressed without disrupting or cutting the skin surface. This helps with collagen building and lifting. 

Do take note, however, that Ultherapy delivers a gradual, natural-looking lift. It would be unrealistic to expect dramatic results as a surgical facelift. You can see initial improvements after two weeks, which will continue over three to six months. The results can last for a year or two, depending on the patient. 

ULTHERAPY CAN	ULTHERAPY CANNOT
Lift and tighten mild to moderate skin laxity Be used in the neck, chin, chest, and a low brow line Be a good alternative if you’re not ready or willing to go under the knife Be used to extend the effects of surgical procedure Stimulate collagen deep within the skin Help you achieve a fresher look without surgery and (little to no) downtime	Destroy or eliminate fat cells Replace volume loss (this is the job of fillers) Cannot replace or duplicate the results of a facelift  Be as effective for those with severe skin laxity

What is See, Plan, Treat?

The makers of Ultherapy understand that every skin is different. A treatment that works perfectly on someone may not be as effective on you (and vice versa). Ultherapy Hyper Personal Lift offers a one-on-one approach for non-invasive skin lifting, using real-time imaging to gather data and tailor the treatment in three steps: See, Plan, Treat.

See – uses Ultherapy’s real-time visualization technology to gather data and knowledge of what your skin needs. This allows your provider to see the target skin layers, which is necessary for creating a customized treatment plan based on your skin anatomy and structure.

Plan – uses the real-time imaging data to identify collagen-rich tissues and tailor the ideal course of treatment. The said data is also used to evaluate your skin composition and structure to effectively customize a skin lifting solution that is just for you.

Treat – uses the collected data to proceed with the treatment. It involves the delivery of micro-focused ultrasound energy to areas where it will be most beneficial to the patient.  The treatment then generates a thermal effect that triggers collagen production, resulting in a natural lift of the skin over time.

Why is the See, Plan, Treat Protocol important?

The SPT Protocol lets you have the treatment that is specifically for you and all about you. This is due to the real-time visualization, which is unique to Ultherapy. Ultherapy is the only non-invasive treatment that has this technology, allowing providers to see what layer of tissue they are treating. 

Tailor-made treatment – With SPT Protocol, your aesthetic doctor can create an individual treatment plan and target the right depth or layers, based on your skin’s composition and anatomy. This is important as the layer to be targeted is different for every patient. 

No more blind or generic treatments – The real-time visualization enables safe and effective treatment. As it allows providers to control where the energy will be delivered,  other structures like bone and blood vessels can be avoided. This can help avoid extra discomfort and bruising. 

Gradual, natural-looking results – There are no needles or cuts involved; Ultherapy uses the body’s regenerative process to gradually lift and tighten the skin. The generated heat from the ultrasound energy jumpstarts collagen production. This then gives your skin a natural-looking lift.

Is Ultherapy right for you? 

Patients noticing or displaying some degree of skin laxity can undergo Ultherapy. Just do take note that it cannot replace a surgical facelift. Ideal candidates are those who:

• Have mild to moderate skin laxity (skin starts to look less firm or tight)
• Are concerned about moderate signs of facial aging
• Are looking to improve lowered eyebrow line, slightly loose skin under the chin and neck, lines and wrinkles on the decolletage
• Are in good general health
• Want to look refreshed, youthful, or competitive
• Have realistic expectations about what a non-invasive procedure can do

Make sure to find the right Ultherapy provider

With skin lifting treatments like Ultherapy, it is important to target the right layer to achieve optimal results while minimizing complications. This is why you need to find a certified doctor who does Ultherapy treatments regularly.

It is also worth noting that the procedure is technique dependent. This only means that the way you use or apply the device, as well as the treatment’s depth and the number of pulses/lines, affect the procedure’s outcome.

Here are a few tips on finding the right provider:

• Look for a licensed and experienced doctor
• Have the treatment in an Ultherapy-certified clinic
• Ask about the number of lines you’re receiving (a standard full-face treatment entails about 500 to 800 lines)
• Avoid cheap or bargain Ultherapy treatments 
• Be wary when a provider pushes you to avail expensive packages

We are happy to announce that our clinic has received the Highest Ultherapy Achiever Award 2021 for Singapore at the 6th Golden Record Awards. We were also awarded 2nd Runner Up for Highest Achievement Ultherapy Transducers Asia Pacific Category B.  

Given my Merz Aesthetics (makers of Ultherapy), the Golden Record Awards aims to honor outstanding and top-performing partner clinics globally.

Book a consultation today

Ultherapy SPT gives you skin lifting treatment like no other. If you’re considering this procedure, don’t hesitate to contact Cutis Medical Lasers Clinic in Singapore and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctor.