WE HAVE LIFT OFF

Described as a “non-surgical facelift” because it reaches the level of the muscle that would be cut if you were doing one, Ultherapy delivers “predictable” results with a “very high satisfaction rate,” says Dr. Patricia Wexler. The New York dermatologist cites it as her favourite treatment for her patients and even herself. “I personally do it every two years,” she says, adding that it only needs to be administered again because of continued aging, not because the results fade.

I couldn’t offer up my face fast enough when I had the chance to try it, especially since French cosmetic doctor Jean-Louis Sebagh suggested it to shorten and tighten the muscles of my jawline when he scrutinized my face last year. But what I experienced at a Toronto dermatology clinic was more painful than I had anticipated, and no amount of laughing gas or reminders to myself that I’d endured labour contractions helped me push through to the end. Apparently the procedure shouldn’t have hurt that much, so I tried it again at Clarity Medspa, where it was far more tolerable. There was some residual tenderness for the next few days, and I started to see results about two and a half months in; it typically takes three. My jawline is noticeably sharper, the skin below my cheekbones looks less jowly and the entire lower half of my face seems a little slimmer. Like Brinkley, I’m officially a believer.