What Are the Benefits of a HIFU Face Treatment?

Nobody wants to undergo a facelift. People want to avoid surgery whenever possible but still want to achieve the smooth, wrinkle-free appearance a facelift provides. Now, a relatively new and perfectly safe treatment for sagging skin can provide the results of a facelift without the surgery. It’s called a HIFU facial treatment, and it’s becoming immensely popular, particularly with people with prematurely sagging and wrinkled skin on their face and neck.   

What is a HIFU Face Treatment?

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been around for a while but was previously only used for treating tumors. It was first used to treat sagging skin and reduce wrinkles in 2008, and the overwhelming success it enjoyed led to it becoming a painless, less invasive, and less expensive alternative to facelift surgery. 

A HIFU facial treatment targets the skin layers just below the skin’s surface, including the SMAS layer, which is a layer of connective tissues that includes the neck and face muscles. The technician uses a hand-held transducer to provide the HIFU treatment. 

The term ‘ultrasound’ refers to pulsing sound waves that are created by a crystal in the head of the transducer. This crystal expands and contracts rapidly when an electrical current is supplied. An ultrasound treatment generates heat by the rapid movement of the sound waves. This heat can be targeted on different areas and levels of the skin. Different skin depths are reached by adjusting the amplitude or strength of the ultrasound waves. It’s the heat that provides an indirectly beneficial treatment. The skin cells are actually damaged during the treatment by the heat. However, this damage stimulates the skin to create collagen, a protein substance that provides structure to your cells and tissue. 

As the treatment targets only skin cells below the surface, the skin and tissue on the surface remain unharmed and unblemished. The SMAS layer is noticeably rejuvenated by the enhanced collagen production and the smoothing and tightening effect it provides.

What Are the Benefits of a HIFU Treatment?

The overall benefit of a HIFU treatment is that it can accomplish the same things that a facelift can provide. The benefits of the treatments include:

• Reducing wrinkles
• Smoothing the skin 
• Jawline definition enhancement 
• Tightening sagging skin on the jowls, neck and upper chest
• Lifting cheeks, eyelids, and eyebrows

Who Is Suitable for HIFU Treatments?

The treatment works best on those over age thirty with low-to-moderate sagging and wrinkles. Depending on how much sun exposure you’ve experienced and how much loose skin you have, you may need several treatments before you begin to see results. 

How Long Does a HIFU Session Last?

Each HIFU session generally lasts 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the area covered. The technician starts by cleaning the skin thoroughly, and a topical anesthetic cream is often used. Then, an ultrasound gel is applied. 

The HIFU session is conducted using a series of short bursts of ultrasound that cover the targeted skin area. While the short bursts are being delivered, you may feel tingling, heat, or slight discomfort. Taking a common pain reliever can help. When the session is over, no recovery time is needed, and you can resume your daily activities immediately.  

When Will I See the Results of the Treatments?

The results usually follow a gradual pattern of enhancement that includes:

• The initial improvement becomes visible 2-3 weeks after treatment as swelling subsides and collagen growth increases. 
• More substantial changes are noticed between 1-3 months after treatment as the skin appears firmer and healthier. 
• Collagen production typically reaches its maximum effect about 3-6 months after treatment. 

The skin can continue to improve for up to a year or longer after treatment. The gradual improvements make the changes less noticeable to others and help you maintain a natural look. Areas that appear to respond more slowly can always be touched up. 

How Long Will the Results Last?

A HIFU treatment won’t stop the effects of aging, and you may need to repeat the treatment process in one or two years. If you have significant problems with wrinkles and sagging skin due to age, a HIFU treatment may not be able to completely eliminate your problems. Consulting a HIFU specialist before the treatment can provide you with realistic result expectations.   

Visit Nirunda Aesthetic Clinic

Nirunda Aesthetic Clinic in Bangkok offers HIFU Treatments. If you’re interested in experiencing the benefits of a HIFU treatment performed by an experienced and qualified professional at our clinic, please schedule an appointment with us today.