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What is HIFU Skin Treatment? (And Everything Else You Need To Know)
Age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines are unwanted signs of aging. These signs become more visible on our skin as time passes. Although aesthetic plastic surgery is well known for helping people to reduce signs of aging, there are other alternatives for those who are not yet ready to go under the knife.
If you wish to improve the quality of your sagging skin without undergoing cosmetic surgery, keep reading this article to learn more about HIFU Treatment.
What is High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Treatment?
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive and non-surgical facial rejuvenation that helps reduce early signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and loose skin. It is an effective treatment that uses highly focused energy to induce gentle heat that stimulates collagen and elastin production.
Although HIFU is one of the new ultrasound techniques available in skin clinics, it is widely patronized by people due to its similar results comparable to surgical procedures, such as facelifts and facial liposuction. In addition, HIFU calls for less recovery time than a surgical facelift.
How Does HIFU Work?
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Treatment involves the use of ultrasound energy to generate heat. The ultrasound beams pass through the skin’s surface and target the SMAS layer, inducing damage to targeted connective tissues. In response, the body starts producing collagen to assist cell growth and repair damaged cells.
Professionals often use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound imaging to guide, assess and monitor the HIFU procedure. This non-invasive skin tightening is 100% safe for all skin types.
Unlike radio frequency and laser treatments, ultrasound therapy targets deeper layers of the skin to treat wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven pigmentation.
Is HIFU Treatment Better Than Botox?
HIFU treatment is a procedure that uses ultrasound energy to regenerate new tissue and collagen production.
On the other hand, Botulinum Toxin, better known as Botox, is a form of aesthetic medicine that involves small dosages of toxin to paralyze facial muscles.
While there is no certainty which is a better treatment among the two. It still depends on the patient’s preference. Both HIFU and Botox are considered safe, effective, and noninvasive treatments for tightening the facial skin, unlike surgical facelifts.
What Does HIFU Treatment Do To Your Face?
HIFU has many aesthetic benefits, including wrinkle reduction, tightening skin laxity, brow lifts, and smoothing the face. Below are the three main benefits of HIFU Treatment:
- Skin tightening
- Skin lifting
- Skin contouring
The recovery time of HIFU is shorter than other procedures, so you can return to your usual routine within a few days. With good aftercare, the benefits of a HIFU can last for about a year.
What to Expect on HIFU Treatment
When a specialist suggests that you should have HIFU Treatment, you may not know exactly what to expect in the coming weeks. So here’s a step-by-step guide for a HIFU procedure.
- The specialist will begin to cleanse facial areas.
- After carefully cleansing the face, they will apply topical anesthesia, followed by the ultrasound gel.
- The HIFU device will be placed against the treatment area by adjusting the ultrasound viewer.
- The ultrasound waves will initiate tiny electric pulses that stimulate new collagen production.
- Each session lasts for about 30 to 90 minutes.
- You can get the same treatment after a year to further improve your features.
Although some people notice slight discomfort and mild redness during the treatment, HIFU is considered painless. The procedure best suits patients with mild to moderate skin laxity.
You may need repeated procedures as the natural aging process takes over. In addition, specialists may recommend additional treatments depending on your body’s response to the treatment.
However, if you have more severe skin laxity, extreme damage to the treatment area, or metallic implants, HIFU may not be suitable for you.
What are the Side Effects of HIFU Treatment?
HIFU results can be seen after one treatment, leaving you with a rejuvenated and much healthier, more youthful appearance. However, every medical procedure may have its own side effects. Some possible side effects of HIFU are:
- Light bruising
- Slight redness
- Tingling sensation
- Feeling numb
The mentioned side effects are expected to subside soon, a day after the procedure.
Does Ultrasound Skin Tightening Work on the Body?
HIFU can be used to target body fat and destroy fat cells, so it’s ideal for body contouring and post-pregnancy fat loss. Some clinics use HIFU on the tummy fat layer, bingo wings, thighs, and buttocks.
Is It Safe to Get HIFU Treatments at Home?
A regular person should never attempt to perform DIY HIFU Treatment. It is hazardous to try cosmetic procedures at home even if they claim to be safe for at-home use.
Apart from that, many HIFU machines claiming to be used at home are not usually approved by the FDA for skin tightening.
Professionals are rigorously trained in performing HIFU treatments and other cosmetic procedures, so it is best to consult your local clinics.
Final Note
With the evolution of aesthetic medicine, there are now more options for non-surgical and non-invasive treatments. So if you are looking for a gentle way to tighten your skin, HIFU is the way to go.
People who are interested in safe and professionally done HIFU treatment, plastic surgery, and other cosmetic procedures should set up an appointment to speak with certified dermatologists.
Got any memorable cosmetic procedures to share? Comment down below!
Chrizelle is a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from De La Salle University. She recently dropped out of law school to pursue her passion for writing. Now, she is a full-time writer hoping to inspire and change lives through her thoughts and her words.