Facial contours different from a photo taken 1 year ago: refine them with Ultherapy Prime and Thermage

GU Clinic Gangnam Branch

4.9(12,500+)

"Have you ever felt that a photo from a year ago looks unfamiliar?"

As you scroll through your phone gallery,

you may pause for a moment on a photo from a year ago.

Even without any major event that would change your facial lines,

the jawline in the photo may look more defined than it does now,

and the line around the mouth may feel subtly different too.

Yet the face you saw in the mirror this morning does not seem much different from yesterday.

Changes in facial lines do not begin suddenly one day.

Because they appear gradually as skin elasticity slowly decreases and the tissue around the cheeks and jaw moves downward,

it is hard to notice them when you see your face every day.

Photos, on the other hand, freeze a moment in time.

When you compare past photos taken at the same angle and with the same expression to your current appearance,

it becomes easier to see changes in the jawline, the area around the mouth, and the position of the cheeks.

"When you look in the mirror every day,

why is it hard to notice?"

Our eyes quickly adapt to small changes in something familiar.

Because there is no obvious difference between today and yesterday,

we naturally accept the gradual blurring of facial lines as part of the process.

There is not just one cause behind changes in facial lines.

As collagen and elastin in the dermis decrease with age,

the skin's density and elasticity can decline.

Changes in the elasticity of deep supporting tissue, along with fat position,

skin thickness, and lifestyle habits, also affect the jawline and cheek line.

Even among people of the same age, those with thinner skin may first notice fine lines and sagging,

while those with more cheek fat may see the jawline look less defined as the weight shifts downward.

So rather than deciding on one procedure immediately just because your face looks different from an old photo,

you should first distinguish whether it is a loss of elasticity on the skin surface,

a change in support in the deeper layers, or the effect of fat position and weight.

"If the changes have accumulated, the approach should be divided by layer"

If facial line changes appear in both the skin surface and deeper layers,

you can consider lifting procedures suited to each layer.

• Ultherapy Prime : Delivers high-intensity focused ultrasound energy to the fascia layer while checking real-time ultrasound images.

  It helps enhance the supporting strength of the overall facial structure. 

• Thermage FLX : Delivers radiofrequency energy to the dermis to create a thermal response. Induces collagen regeneration.

  Improves skin density and elasticity, fine lines, and rough skin texture.

The two procedures use different types of energy and target different depths.

If sagging in the deeper layers is the main concern, Ultherapy Prime can be performed alone;

if reduced skin elasticity and density are the main issue, Thermage FLX can be performed on its own.

When both changes are present, they may be combined as Ultrathermage,

and the necessary energy and treatment area should be adjusted to the facial structure and skin condition.

"Managing facial lines: what happens after the procedure matters as much as the procedure itself"

Ultherapy Prime and Thermage are non-incisional procedures, but

temporary redness, swelling, warmth, and tenderness may appear immediately after treatment.

The response and recovery speed can vary depending on skin sensitivity and the energy applied.

After treatment, it is best to avoid strong irritation to the skin

and care for it with gentle cleansing and plenty of moisture.

When going out, apply sunscreen carefully,

and avoid activities that involve prolonged exposure to high heat, such as saunas or steam rooms, as well as alcohol, for a few days.

It is also best to avoid pressing on or massaging the treatment area too firmly.