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Susie Wall’s Ultherapy® Experience

Susie Wall Ultherapy

@SusieWallStyle is a television personality, lifestyle reporter, and advocate for marginalized women in our community. She has also been a Humphrey Cosmetic Dermatology patient for several years, and recently she and Dr. Humphrey decided it was time to add Ultherapy®—a focused ultrasound treatment that works to tighten and lift the skin—to her 360° treatment plan.

Recently, she was gracious enough to take some time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions about her treatment experience.

Why did you decide to have your Ultherapy® treatment?

Throughout the pandemic, obviously we all spent so much time indoors. There was no travel, no warmth, and a lot less time spent on the slopes. My skin started to feel and look super dull, like it honestly needed a jump start. I’d been considering Ultherapy for awhile, and had discussed it with Dr. Humphrey as an ideal treatment for my needs. As usual, I took my time, considered my options, but ultimately decided to go for it. I’m so glad I did.

Tell us about your treatment experience!

I got myself all worked up, but the process itself was actually pretty anticlimactic (in a good way!). I discussed the steps with the team, threw on a podcast, and before I knew it, the treatment was over.

I have a VERY low pain tolerance, so I’m ALL about the numbing cream. If you allow enough time for the cream to do its job, the treatment actually goes by quite quickly. I also recommend asking for trail mix and tea while you’re waiting for that numbing cream to kick in!

What was recovery like?

I’m prone to redness, so immediately following treatment my neck was slightly red. For a couple of days following, my face had some redness, but nothing that a little pressed powder didn’t easily conceal.

How do you feel since your treatment?

In the weeks and months after treatment, my skin started to feel more uplifted, toned, and vibrant. I had my treatment in the lower jaw and neck area, where I typically hold tension, and before Ultherapy I leaned on my mask-turtleneck combo to conceal the area. But not anymore.

Would you recommend this treatment to friends?

Absolutely! I’m conservative and risk averse when it comes to my skin maintenance, but I would absolutely recommend it if Dr. Humphrey and the team think it’s a good fit for your 360° plan. At this point, Dr. Humphrey knows my goal posts so well, it’s almost like we have our own dialogue and understanding about our approach to my care. When she gets to know you and your goals in the strictest confidence, you’ll realize it’s not an add-water-and-stir relationship. It truly is a results-based journey, not a destination.

What advice would you give to first-timers just embarking on skin treatments?

Slow and steady wins the race. Listen to your internal rhythms, listen to your gut. Make decisions for you and for no one else. I can confirm one hundred percent you’ll be in good hands.

What keeps you coming back to HCD?

I feel incredibly safe and comfortable in the office environment with Dr. Humphrey and her team. There’s a consistency of care and non-judgement at HCD that’s baked into their culture, and that bar never drops. It begins when you step out of the elevator but the benefits last far beyond.

Our self-care journeys are so incredibly important. The verbiage around it may be different, but in places like France self care has been completely ritualized into the culture for generations. I’m glad to see that growth and acknowledgement here.

I’ve been in Dr. Humphrey’s office during some of the most difficult as well as joyous times in my life. No matter how I was feeling, I never let things slide, and honestly Dr. Humphrey was a huge part of that motivation. I admire her, and I know she’s got me. Just like so many of our other choices in this life, I urge women to work hard to stay consistent, but also to cultivate a compassionate perspective around looking after yourself for yourself.

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