High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, or HIFU for short, is a skin treatment for those who have skin sagging, creepiness, and other signs of skin ageing. HIFU treatments on the neck, chest, or body which sometimes surprises some people.

HIFU machine for body and face professional is a non-surgical skin treatment which is used to tighten, smooth, and firm your skin. During the HIFU skin tightening treatment, HIFU energy quickly causes the treated tissue to warm up. This heat creates something called a thermal injury which tricks the body into repair mode, thus producing new collagen and elastin.

The HIFU facial machine treatment can target different depths of your skin, from the top layer down to the SMAS which is a mesh that lays over the top of your muscle, which results in tighter, firmer, and smoother skin.

Who is suitable for HIFU treatment?

HIFU ultrasound machine is more suited to mild to moderate skin laxity. Non-invasive treatments are not likely to give those who require surgical treatment their ultimate results. Having said that, those who have more advanced skin sagging and signs of ageing can consider combining HIFU with other non-invasive skin treatments should they not be interested in surgery.

HIFU skin tightening treatment may be right for you if you seek natural but noticeable results and have crepey, sagging skin on your face, neck, or body. It is suitable if your skin has lost its bounce and you notice fine lines, wrinkles, or loose skin in the jowl area. If your jawline is less defined, the skin on your neck is becoming loose, wrinkled, or crepey, or if you would like to redefine features such as your cheeks, tighten, and contour your skin, this non-invasive treatment with no downtime might be ideal. In cases of more advanced skin laxity and ageing signs, combining HIFU with other aesthetic treatments may be appropriate, and this would be thoroughly discussed during your skin consultation and assessment. High-intensity focused ultrasound, HIFU treatment, is a minimally invasive skin tightening and skin lifting facial rejuvenation treatment.

A HIFU facial uses ultrasound to create heat at a deep level in the skin. This heat damages targeted skin cells, causing the body to try to repair them. To do this, the body produces collagen to aid in cell regrowth. Collagen is a substance in the skin that gives it structure and elasticity.

According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, nonsurgical ultrasound treatments HIFU can:

1.Tighten the skin on the neck.

2.Reduce the appearance of jowls.

3.Lift drooping eyelids or eyebrows.

4.Smooth wrinkles on the face.

5.Smooth and tighten chest skin.

The type of ultrasound that this procedure uses is different than the ultrasound that doctors use for medical imaging. HIFU uses high energy waves to target specific areas of the body.

When to see HIFU results?

On average, full results are seen around three months after you’ve finished your course of HIFU. Some people may notice a subtle improvement a few days following the treatment, known as the ‘collagen contracture’ stage. Results are dependent on the individual’s own skin-repairing mechanism during which collagen production is stimulated and formed which can take several months. It is advisable to plan the HIFU treatment in advance of an event that you wish to see results in time as full results are not immediate. As with many medical-aesthetic treatments, lifestyle can have an impact on the results.

Some clients may see immediate initial improvements, however, the optimal time when clients will see lifting, tightening and firming is three months after treatment with gradual improvements noticed once the skin has had time to repair and produce new collagen and elastin which holds the structure of the skin. During this period, older collagen is replaced and the building process continues clients may even see improvements for up to six months after the final procedure.

The amazing comes with a proven safety record so you can feel rest assured that your safety is paramount. HIFU treatment is suitable for all skin types and feels comfortable whilst receiving treatment.

HIFU skin tightening side effects

HIFU skin tightening is considered a safe treatment when performed by a qualified and fully trained practitioner.

One of the reasons why the HIFU facial is so popular is that you can carry on your usual activities immediately after your HIFU treatment. You may have some pinkness or redness and light swelling of the tissue of your facial skin immediately after, but this usually subsides quickly, people who are happy to go back to work or to socialise immediately after with the application of tinted sunscreen if required.

You may have some light tingling in the area treated, this usually subsides quite quickly but it has been reported to last for a few weeks. Rare side effects include temporary numbing in the area which usually subsides after a few days, and bruising. During a consultation, before you decide upon any treatments, your practitioner should discuss both the benefits of the HIFU treatment and any possible side effects with you.

Does HIFU help with sagging skin?

HIFU is a noninvasive skin tightening procedure that is ideal for facial rejuvenation. It can tighten sagging skin, especially facial and neck skin, redefine your features (such as your jawline), smooth your skin, and reduce your wrinkles. HIFU can be used on the face, neck, decolletage, and body.

How long will HIFU treatment last?

The duration of HIFU skin tightening results varies between individuals, influenced by lifestyle factors like stress, smoking, exercise, and sun exposure. Most people see results lasting 12 to 18 months.

HIFU facelifts offer non-surgical skin tightening by sending focused ultrasound energy waves to various skin depths, targeting the same layers as surgical facelifts but without knives or downtime. Recent technological advancements allow for visible results from the first session, with optimal outcomes achieved through a course of three treatments spaced one month apart. If you notice sagging skin or jowls, HIFU might be the nonsurgical skin tightening procedure for you.

At what age should I get the HIFU treatment?

We wouldn’t recommend it to anybody younger than 18 to get the high-intensity focused ultrasound HIFU treatment. Most of people at HIFU are in their fourth decade and are beginning to reveal those signs of skin ageing. For purposes of very advanced signs, people combine the procedure with others because HIFU might not tackle everything. About skin tightening, though, HIFU is most likely to be unnecessary for younger skin but may be performed if there is any sign, such as crepey skin over the abdomen.

Can HIFU cause prostate cancer?

No. HIFU is used to treat locally advanced prostate cancer, however, it gained FDA approval in 2009 for tissue tightening. It does not cause prostate cancer. Some people incorrectly think that high-frequency sound waves cause prostate cancer cells to develop in your prostate gland, however, this is not true. HIFU is a safe treatment because the ultrasound energy targets only the skin’s upper dermal, lower dermal and SMAS layers.

Are HIFU ultrasound waves painful?

There can be some discomfort during the HIFU treatment but it is usually tolerated well. You may decide to take over-the-counter pain medication prior to the treatment for additional comfort. During the treatment, you may feel tingling, warmth or heat as the treatment pulses are applied.

Some people report mild discomfort during the treatment, and some have pain afterward. Doctors may apply a local anesthetic before the procedure to help prevent this pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil), may also help.

Unlike other cosmetic procedures, including laser hair removal, HIFU facials do not require any preparation. When a session is over, there is also no recovery time, which means that people can get on with their daily activities after receiving HIFU treatment. People may require between one and six sessions, depending on the results they want to achieve.

Summary

A high intensity focused ultrasound facial, or HIFU facial, can be an effective way to minimize the signs of aging. As a nonsurgical technique, HIFU calls for less recovery time than a surgical facelift, but the results will not be as pronounced. Still, researchers have found that the procedure can firm sagging skin, smooth wrinkles, and improve skin texture. With good aftercare, the benefits of a HIFU facial can last for about 1 year.