12 Things You Should Know About the HIFU Facial

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; one of the best-known brands of HIFU is Ultherapy.

Although the HIFU facial is super popular at our Hertfordshire HIFU skin clinic, you can also have HIFU treatments on the neck, chest, or body which sometimes surprises some people. We're asked questions about HIFU both in-clinic during the consultation, as well as over the phone or via DM when clients want to find out a little more about this skin treatment. I'm going to give you some of our FAQs all in one place to make your research a little easier.

What is HIFU Treatment (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound)?

HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) 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 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.

Does HIFU Skin Tightening Work?

Yes. At our HIFU skin clinic, we only ever offer treatments that have clinical papers that show their efficacy.

HIFU is well documented in clinical studies, for example:

Who Is Suitable For HIFU Treatments?

HIFU 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 like the Thread Lift 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.

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 Focus Dual comes with a proven safety record so you can feel rest assured that your safety is paramount. This 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 at our St. Alban's skin clinic 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; our clients 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 treatment and any possible side effects with you.

Does HIFU Get Rid Of Wrinkles?

Although HIFU is often referred to for skin tightening, it also reduces wrinkles and generally smooths your skin.

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.

Interested in HIFU? We would be pleased to consult with you at our HIFU skin clinic near London, in St Albans Hertfordshire.

How Long Will HIFU 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. You can maintain your results with follow-up treatments at our clinic.

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.

HIFU Before & After Images

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 procedure. Most of our clients 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. The HIFU machine has won the Health and Care Excellence Award, 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 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 and/or heat as the treatment pulses are applied.