What is High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)?
Hifu/Ultherapy is truly a remarkable breakthrough in technology, offering a truly non-invasive alternative to a surgical face lift, a MUST have treatment option, and the ONLY FDA approved treatment with a specific intent for improvement of lines and wrinkles on the face and décolleté, penetrating to depths only previously possible with surgery.
Hifu uses the power of Ultrasound to safely lift and tighten skin. Ultrasound is a form of energy that is significantly different than light such as IPL and Lasers or Electrical (Radio-Frequency) energy. Hifu, protects the skin surface, whilst precisely penetrating at deeper depths and higher temperatures than Radio Frequency for example, treating beyond the Dermis and Foundation layers, where structural weakening starts.
Tissue at the target point is heated to ~65°C, Thermal Heat is created with the skin tissue creating both spaced ‘wounds’ and cellular friction - which in turn promotes healing, immediately contracts collagen and stimulates a rapid production. Over the next 90-180 days, the wound-healing response stimulates long-term tissue and leads to further lifting and tightening, with results that can last years.
It also helps to improve the tone and all the features of your face such as your eyes, cheeks, mouth, chin and skin also making it a viable alternative to Injectables, with the benefit of being able to maintain facial expression. Excellent for post surgical face lift to maintain the lift and treat blood stasis, scarring, and numbness.
How does HiFU differ from laser treatments?
HiFU uses sound energy –true ultrasound – which has unique properties that allow it to bypass the surface of the skin to treat depths not matched by any other non-invasive cosmetic device. HiFU ultrasound stimulates collagen production in the skin’s foundation, resulting in a clinically significant lift of tissue over 2-3 months.
Lasers rely on light energy, which cannot reach deeper skin layers at an optimal temperature, so laser treatments typically only treat superficial skin and are not designed to lift skin. Since the two technologies often treat different types of skin issues, they’re actually very compatible.
How does HIFU stimulate the creation of collagen?
What are the benefits of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)?
As a completely non-surgical, non-invasive procedure, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound offers patients many benefits over other procedures –
Clinically Proven
Safe and Effective
Cost Effective Alternative to a Surgical Face Lift
No Need for Anaesthesia or Sedation
No Incisions or Risk of Infection
No Downtime
Comfortable Treatments
Results can be seen after just one treatment
Results can last for 18 months plus
With the advantage of three depth cartridges (1.5mm, 3mm and 4.5mm – for face and neck treatment), Hifu has the capability of penetrating to depths only previously possible with surgery.
How long is the treatment?
Each session is dependent on the treatment area, but we advise around 30 minutes for a small area whereas a face and neck procedure typically takes 90 -120 minutes Your treatment will be tailored to your individual requirements which will be discussed in your pre-treatment consultation. Additional time will be required if you require more areas.
Results we can achieve with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound:
Look Between 4 - 8 Years Younger with One Treatment
Increase Blood Circulation
Increases Elastin & Production of Collagen
Re-educates the Muscles
Stimulates Skin Cells
Rejuvenates Skin
Improves, Firms & Tightens Muscles
Eyelid Hood Reduction
Nasonabial Fold Reduction
Improves & Tightens Sagging Skin
Cheek, Jowl & Neck Tightening
Double Chin Reduction
Eye Bag Reduction
Fat Deposit Reduction
Fine Lines & Wrinkle Reduction
When Are Results Visible?
Some results will be seen immediately post treatment, with optimum results expected from three to six months.
How Long Do Results Last?
Individual results will differ, however on average a minimum of 18 months to two years.
How Many Treatments Are Required?
Most patients only need one treatment. However, based on the degree of skin laxity, the biological response to ultrasound energy and the individual’s collagen-building process, some patients benefit from additional treatments. Because skin continues to age, future touch-up treatments can help patients keep pace with the body’s natural ageing process
What is HIFU Body Sculpting?
HIFU body sculpting is a non-invasive treatment for removing stubborn body fat, skin toning and tightening. HIFU Body treatments are the latest in non-invasive technology to target specific areas of fat in the quickest way possible. Only one treatment is normally required to achieve the results and there is no downtime. 2nd treatment if required will be within 3-6 months after the initial treatment. HIFU offers a real natural alternative to lip0-suction or surgery.
In a Body Sculpting treatment the HIFU penetrates through the surface of the skin to deliver the precise and fractional focused ultrasound energy into the subcutaneous fat layer (at 6.0, 8.0mm or 10mm – underarm / back areas depending on individuals and 13.0 & 16.0 mm for the abdomen, buttocks, thigh areas), and at the right temperature (60~70°C), without damaging or disrupting the epidermal tissue (surface) of the skin.
Body areas treatable with our HIFU technology include the: abdomen, arms, bra fat, flanks, buttocks, décolletage inner thighs and outer thighs. When your weight is stable, and you want to remove that stubborn body fat, this could be the ideal treatment for you. HIFU is not used for weight loss and the best results are achieved when your body weight is stable, and you have a healthy lifestyle.
What results can I expect to see?
HIFU Body treatment destroys fat cells in the area treated being treated thus reducing the visible size of the targeted area. Some results may be seen in around 1-2 weeks after treatment. However, significant results are usually seen after 4 to 6 weeks as the ablated contents of the fat cells are gradually flushed away via the normal blood circulation and lymphatic systems. Further the process of collagen and elastin synthesis, improving skin elasticity, tone and texture, continues for up to 3 months – on this basis it is recommended that follow up treatments, if required, are performed at least 3 months after the initial treatment. Like HIFU facial uplift, HIFU Body Sculpting is very effective for lifting and tightening the skin.
Who Is Suitable for HIFU?
Anyone with drooping skin, or considering a face lift or a lipo suction but isn't ready for surgery is a good candidate.
All Skin types and tones can be treated.
Can HIFU replace a facelift?
HiFU treats the deep foundation layer addressed in cosmetic surgery, but will not duplicate the results of a surgical facelift. HIFU is a great alternative, however, especially for those not ready for surgery or for those looking to extend the effects of cosmetic surgery.
Are there any side effects?
The skin might appear flushed at first, but the redness should disappear within a few hours. Some people experience slight swelling, tingling or tenderness to the touch, but these are temporary in nature. Other, less common post-procedural effects may include temporary bruising or numbness on small areas of skin. As with any medical procedure, there is the possibility for other rare effects, which your practitioner will review with you.
Contraindications
• Open facial wounds or lesions
• Metal stents/implants in the face or neck (dental implants OK)
• Implantable electrical devices
• Within two weeks after Injectables
• Pregnant or breast-feeding woman
• Permanent dermal implants
• Anti-thrombosis therapy
• Active systematic or skin disease
• Hemorrhagic disorders or dysfunctions
• Unrealistic expectations of Treatment
Does Hifu Face Lifting Hurt?
• It does not cause major discomfort. You may feel some discomfort, warm or heat sensations or even a slight pain that lasts for a few seconds and only during the pulsation cycle when the ultrasound energy is being applied. This discomfort or sometimes even pain is very brief and a good sign that collagen-building process has begun. The level of discomfort depends on the settings used, the area being treated, and the individual sensitivity. Around the eyes and over any bony prominence tend to be more intense. The neck region seems to be the area that tolerates the HIFU treatment the best. • We can use a lower energy level and increased number of shots to achieve the desired results with much lower discomfort/pain level. The second factor related to pain/discomfort during HIFU procedure is the type of skin being treated. People with thicker skin or more dense areas will tolerate HIFU treatment very well. • As with any heat-based cosmetic procedure, there are variable degrees of discomfort associated with HIFU skin tightening. Preoperative planning should include a discussion of the patient’s historical pain tolerance and response to anxiolytic and narcotic pain medications.
Post Procedure
There may be post procedure redness which settles in about an hour. Please avoid laughing, chewing too much for that day. Keep the jaw stable that night and avoiding its movements to apply a crepe bandage around the face so that the movements are restricted. You will feel little soreness on the face for 2-3 weeks but it is normal.
Results
As the process of wound healing and collagen remodeling takes 2-3 weeks, you will see only 10% result in 1st month, another 10% in 2nd month and 80% result in 3rd month.
Price list
HIFU Face uplift
HIFU - Full face $1800
HIFU - Cheeks $1200
HIFU - Eye Area $700
HIFU - Jowls $800
HIFU - Any Area (30 minutes) $700
HIFU - Any Area (60 minutes) $1200
HIFU Body Sculpting
HIFU - Any Area (30 minutes) $700
HIFU - Any Area (60 minutes) $1200
Abdomen, buttocks (allow 2 hours to 2.5 hours for each area)
Arms, Flank, decolletage, inner thighs outer thighs (allow 1 hour for each area)