beautywith Sandra Killen

brisbanenews.com.au November 2 - 8 201620

Sonic therapyUltrasound used in skin treatments

promises to help you save face

Generally, I’m pretty comfortable in my own skin. It’s seen me through five hectic decades, so wear and tear is inevitable. I haven’t always treated it well (thanks

Queensland sunshine) and people had started telling me I looked tired (well, I do get up at 5am). So a roadtest of skin-firming treatment Ultherapy, at Dr Ingrid Tall’s Cosmetic Image

Clinic in the city, was a timely offering. The clinic, upstairs in Mary St, was lively with

people booked in for massages, gym sessions, saunas, spas, swimming, and cosmetic procedures. It’s amazing what lies behind the unpretentious streetfront door. After a 20-minute consultation with Ingrid, and a “before” photo session, it was off to a small, white room with technician Melinda.

The atmosphere was jolly, enhanced by the offer of wine and champagne to ease any anxiety. Paracetamol was also advised as there is a bit of pain involved.

It’s not bad pain – on the scale of one to 10 it’s probably about 3 most of the time, with an occasional 6. Mostly, it’s a vibrating sensation that’s easy to bear.

Melinda’s friendly banter helped take my mind off the procedure which lasted about two hours. Happy gas is also at hand if your pain threshold is super low.

Ingrid has been using Ultherapy for more than 12 months and says she’s delighted with the results. She and her receptionist have both had the treatment themselves.

“It’s in a league of its own, using ultrasound waves to help tighten the skin,” she says.

“It goes deeper than anything else, right down to the level where the

plastic and cosmetic surgeons operate, tightening up tissues. Short of surgery, it is the next best thing to lift the skin.”

Conservative, non-surgical, non-invasive treatments are the way of the future, she says. This treatment, for example, can be done in the morning and you can go straight to work.

Lying on a medical bed, Melinda applied gel to my skin and used the Ultherapy transducer to release energy and heat, guided by an ultrasonic machine.

Ingrid says clients tend to notice a difference around three months later and it continues for up to nine months.

“It is huge in Asia and very popular here with Asian clients too. Australians are just beginning to hear about it,” she says of the treatment that is suitable for anyone from their mid-30s on.

It’s generally regarded as a one-off treatment as the results are said to last for one to three years. But it

can be repeated in a year or two if desired. “The more we fight the ravages of gravity and age the more ‘refreshed’ we look,” Ingrid says.

I experienced a mild tenderness on my skin for a week or two and slight bruising under my chin which Ingrid says is normal and

the tenderness indicates the treatment is working.

Two months later, I’m happy to report a definite, if subtle difference. I’m still an early riser but no one’s

telling me I look tired. Instead, a few friends have commented that I look rested. It’s a refreshing change.

Ultherapy is available from Cosmetic

Image Clinic and Day Spa, Mary St, city,

from $300-$3000 depending on treatment.

cosmeticimageclinics.com.au

Opening celebrations20 – 50% off all fabrics4 DAYS ONLY

Gardams returns to the heart of Brisbane city in a new store at 65 Adelaide Street.

To celebrate the move, enjoy 20-50% OFF ALL FABRICS*

*ends 3pm Saturday 5 November.

Next patternmaking class starts Saturday!

/gardams @gardamsfabricsGardams Fabrics 65 Adelaide Street Brisbane City • www.gardams.com.au

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