HIFU stands for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound. It is an advanced cosmetic technology that significantly tightens and lifts several areas of the body and face. Using heat, it destroys fat cells in specific targeted areas while also boosting collagen growth to make the skin tighter and firmer. From body contouring to face lifts it is a long lasting, non-surgical, non-invasive treatment which people favour as opposed to surgery whilst also being a considerably cheaper alternative.
Why do HIFU?
One of reasons HIFU is so popular is because it leverages on the body’s natural resources and there is no need for healing and recovery. It involves using ultrasound energy or laser beams to trigger the production of natural collagen in the body, this production of collagen makes the skin around the face tighter and more youthful. This means there is no need for surgery. It’s a non-invasive treatment compared to a face lift surgery that sculpts and lifts the face while improving lymphatic drainage, treats puffy eyes by reducing the fluid around the area improving circulation.
How does HIFU work?
This concentrated ultrasound works on the lower levels of skin on the face (or neck) – it’s aim is to heat up the skin cells rapidly and reach a temperature that is essentially going to (temporarily) wreak havoc and destruction causing damage to the skin cells. This might not sound so great in theory, until you understand that in fact this process fundamentally accelerates the cells to produce more Collagen. Collagen that results in tighter firmer skin. And this is all centred on tissue below the skin’s surface, so no actual damage to the upper layer of the skin is sustained.
How many HIFU treatments will I need to see results?
This is the next most asked question we get from clients. Our answer? One treatment, that’s it, just one HIFU treatment and you will see results. Given our clientele is unquestionably made up of vastly different ages, and of course with age the elasticity of the skin decreases. We have found that women over the age of thirty who have mild-moderate skin laxity will find that they experience the most results from one treatment. For those with more damaged skin or with a more severe skin laxity may require more treatments to see meaningful results.
What are the benefits of HIFU?
Here are the benefits of HIFU treatment:
- Reduces wrinkles or saggy skin
- Improves acne and acne scarring
- Defines and tightens skin
- Boosts cellular performance
- Glowing, rejuvenating and smoothing
- Reduces appearance of folds in the face (nasolabial folds)
- Cheaper alternative to surgery
- Non-invasive/non-surgical
- Quick downtime and recovery
- Eyebrow or cheek lift
- Can get rid of double chin
- Reduces heavy eyelids and under bags When you combine all the above aesthetic benefits of HIFU it’s easy to understand why it’s quickly becoming a fixed favourite in the beauty industry for those that aren’t quite ready to go under the knife, or those who are showing preliminary, subtle signs of ageing and want to slow down, and even eliminate the process entirely.
Who is HIFU not suitable for?
Here are some situations in which you are not recommended to do HIFU treatment:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding persons
- People with current or previous skin cancer (epithelioma and melanoma) or any benign/malignant tumours
- If you have impaired motor functions (paralysis of facial muscles), presence of metallic materials in bone/tissue in the area that is being treated, or infectious skin disease
- Those suffering from eczema in the area of treatment
- If you suffer from diabetes, epilepsy
- Those with a pacemaker
- Any concerns and skin conditions should be discussed over the phone before purchase.
Suffer from bleeding disorders? Examples include the following:
- Acquired platelet function defects?
- Congenital platelet function defects?
- Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?
- Prothrombin deficiency?
- Factor V deficiency?
- Factor VII deficiency?
- Factor X deficiency?
- Factor XI deficiency (haemophilia C)?
Are undergoing anti-thrombosis therapy?
- Have metal implants or permanent fillers in the treatment area?
- Have an active systemic or skin disease that may hinder regeneration?
Have Autoimmune disease? Examples include the following:
- Type 1 diabetes?
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
- Psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis?
- Multiple sclerosis?
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
- Inflammatory bowel disease?
- Addison’s disease?
- Graves’ disease?
Why aftercare is important for HIFU facelift treatments?
To get the most benefits from your HIFU facelift treatment, keep to the aftercare procedure. This helps to increase the effectiveness of your treatment and ensures prolonged benefits! it is imperative that you keep to a good skincare routine to maintain the cleanliness and health of your skin, as well as keep it protected from external damage with good sunscreen.
So it is to no surprise that beauty and skin experts emphasise on aftercare when it comes to aesthetic treatments; if neglected, certain complications can occur after a HIFU treatment, such as hyperpigmentation read our blog on this subject by clicking the link here “Help?! Its Hyperpigmentation”
Proper aftercare will:
- Reduce the risk of complications
- Enhance and prolong your results
- Minimal risk of wasted time, money, and effort
In a nutshell, the aftercare procedure is just as important as the main treatment and the pre-treatment routines. Here are some tips on what you need to do before your HIFU treatment.
HIFU Facelift Aftercare: What to do before and after treatment?
A HIFU skin treatment is a painless and non-invasive procedure and helps to rejuvenate your skin from deep within and leaving behind only the best results. However, even though the process seems simple and straightforward, it is important to know as much as you can about the recovery process after your session, or what is known as the HIFU facelift aftercare.
Week before treatment:
Avoid sun exposure and sunless tanning. Sun burned or tanned skin will not be treated. All skin irritants must be stopped (glycolic/ salicylic acids, benzoyl peroxide, retinol products such as Retin A, Tazorac, Triluma, Differin, and Vitamin C) on the area being treated. Advise staff when taking antibiotics. Certain antibiotics (Tetracycline, Doxycycline) can make a patient photosensitive, therefore, treatment may not be able to be done until two weeks after completion of antibiotic.
Day before treatment:
Please let the staff know if you have a history of cold sores/fever blisters PRIOR to treatment, so an antiviral medication can be prescribed by your doctor (please arrange with your GP). Treatment cannot be done if you have an active cold sore or skin infection and will be rescheduled.
Day of treatment:
Do not wear any make-up or moisturizers on the area being treated, however, we have cleaners that can be used for you to remove in the clinic. If a patient chooses to use a topical numbing (anaesthetic) cream, please refer to the recommended product list below and purchase and apply 30 minutes prior to arrival.
Please purchase the topical anaesthetic PRIOR to treatment from your local pharmacy the following products are listed by brand name and are recommended for use (refer to pharmacist on how to apply correctly)
- EMLA 5% SKIN NUMBING CREAM
- NUMIT 5% SKIN NUMBING CREAM
HIFU aftercare checklist
HIFU is highly popular amongst busy women due to its minimal downtime and non-invasive nature. However, as with any procedure, there are some things you still must pay attention to after receiving the treatment, to optimize the effects and ensure your health and safety. So, let’s take a quick look at some things that clients who have undergone the HIFU treatment have to incorporate this checklist in their skin’s post treatment ritual/ aftercare routine. Well, that is if they want to get the most out of the treatment they just had.
- Avoid the sun The reason is that avoiding the sun will help to prevent hyperpigmentation and reduce the chance of sunburn and skin damage. The use of sunblock cream is also encouraged, as this will help to prevent destructive ultraviolet light from the sun from directly touching the skin.
- Avoid Alcohol Consumption: After the treatment procedure, your liver will be tasked with breaking down the deactivated fat and we all know that with alcohol it generally makes your liver to do extra work. Consuming alcohol means that the liver now must break down alcohol in addition to the deactivated fat. Besides the fact that alcohol overworks your liver, it also reduces the density of your blood. The implications of less dense blood are that excessive bleeding may occur since blood clotting will be a challenge. Avoid drinking alcohol at all costs.
- Avoid Scratching your Skin At this time, your skin will be very sensitive, and scratching it puts you at the risk of skin damage. If you have scars, you are also advised to allow them to fall off naturally. Trying to remove them may lead to a large wound, which may lead to infection.
- Do Drink More Water: It’s in your best interest to keep your body hydrated, so drink as much water as possible. Water will also help in your recovery by increasing the rate at which collagen is produced in the body.
- Avoid taking Hot Showers/Baths: When taking your bath, use cold water as this will help keep the natural protective oil on your skin and prevent skin irritation. If at all you must use hot water, you are better of using lukewarm water as this will facilitate the quick recovery of your skin. Aftercare Is Almost as Important as the HIFU Facelift/Body Sculpting Treatment Itself to get the most from your HIFU facelift treatment. Take the aftercare procedures seriously.
Aftercare is as important as the HIFU facelift/body sculpting treatment itself to get the most from your HIFU facelift treatment.