The cosmetic industry is never short of weird and wonderful technologies that promise to tighten, plump and lift the skin, boosting crucial collagen and elastin that we lose with age, all in a quick treatment time, usually taking no more than an hour. Two of the leading procedures that are both safe and effective are the Morpheus8 and Ultherapy, which are considered gold standards in non-surgical skin tightening and lifting.
But despite the fact they’re both skin tightening procedures, Ultherapy and Morpehus8 are two unique treatments that use very different modalities. Here we look at exactly how both treatments work and what results you can expect to help you decide which may be right for you.
What is Ultherapy?
Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to inflict thermal injury up to 4.5 millimetres deep in the skin of the face, neck and decolletage, targeting the SMAS layer, which lies below the skin and fat to stimulate new collagen production, which naturally declines as you age.
The superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) is the layer of muscular tissue in the face that surgeons manipulate when performing a facelift. The SMAS layer is at different depths on different areas of the face, and usually, we will perform two ‘passes’ at varying depths to effectively reach the SMAS and a layer of tissue above it.
Ultherapy can tighten and lift the face – or the eyebrow or the skin under the jaw – because the treatment targets and tightens the skin so deeply. If you have noticed that your skin is beginning to sag or droop in places or if lines and wrinkles are becoming more prominent, Ultherapy can reset the clock without surgery.
Who is best suited to treatment?
The treatment is most suitable for mild-to-moderate skin sagging or laxity such as a lowered brow, loose skin on the neck, jowls or wrinkles forming on the neck and decolletage. It’s excellent for prevention and early intervention. For the right candidate, the results are life-transforming and all with little to no downtime.
What is Morpheus8?
Morpheus8 is a non-invasive procedure that combines microneedling and radiofrequency (RF) technology to deliver energy into the skin and the deeper tissues. The process creates tiny micro-wounds that kickstart lazy collagen into frenetic activity, creating a powerful lifting and tightening effect.
Radiofrequency (RF) technology offers an innovative, collagen-boosting treatment that uses targeted energy to heat the lower layers of the skin (the dermis) to 42 degrees C. At this point, the existing collagen contracts, resulting in immediate tightening of the skin. When radiofrequency is combined with microneedling, as it is with the Morpheus8, the heat is delivered much deeper into the skin, promoting further cell regeneration.
The heat damages the existing collagen in the skin, which shrinks in protest, and then begins to repair itself. This repairing takes time, so while you may see an initial lift, optimum results will be visible three months post-treatment. The Morpheus8 is essentially the gift that keeps on giving, as you can continue to see improvements the more that time goes on.
Who is best suited to treatment?
Similarly to Ultherapy, those whose skin is affected by the passage of time and gravity may be a good candidate for Morpheus8. Patients with sagging neck skin and jowl descent can significantly benefit from the procedure.
Morpheus8 is well known for its skin tightening effects and for patients who want to take a proactive approach in preventing early-onset signs of ageing. It can be used to treat mild-to-moderate sagging in the face and neck, sun damage, acne scars, lines and creases, stretch marks, uneven texture and pores.
How do Ultherapy and Morpheus8 differ?
The right procedure for you is very much dependant on your concerns and treatment goals. Ultherapy is a one-off treatment that delivers defined columns of higher temperature to the skin, which has more substantial clinical outcomes, whilst Morpheus8 requires a course of treatments. However, Morpheus8 resurfaces the skin, smoothes out fine lines, addresses hyperpigmentation and age spots and provides deep skin tightening. Ultherapy, on the other hand, has one primary focus – delivering a deep skin tightening effect to the treated area.
Both devices offer excellent results depending on your skin concerns. That’s why we always suggest coming into the clinic to discuss your concerns and unique goals to understand which treatment is right for you. Click here to book a consultation with one of our expert practitioners.
