Dr Xavier's Award Winning Medical Aesthetic Clinic Southampton

HIFU Face & Neck Lifting

(High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound)

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a popular non-invasive medical treatment that is being used more and more in aesthetic medicine for both skin-tightening and facial and neck rejuvenation.

HIFU HIGHLIGHTS

• Non-Surgical Face & Neck Lifting With HIFU
• Results in the formation of new collagen to lift and tighten the skin
• Skin rejuvenation and tightening
• Jowls, neck and lower face and jawline lifting
• Generally, a one-off treatment
• Safe alternative to surgery
• Results develop over 2-3 months and last for up to 18-24 months.

Introduction to HIFU

The treatment involves using high-frequency sound (ultrasound) waves to heat the deeper layers of skin and this causes collagen production. The result is a more youthful, tightened, and fresher appearance.

Although we do not like to use such terms (because it often trivialises a treatment that is first and foremost a medical procedure and not beauty therapy) HIFU is sometimes referred to in the Press as the “lunchtime facelift” because the treatment is quick, it is very tolerable and has no downtime.

One of the main advantages of HIFU is that it is minimally invasive, meaning that there are no incisions or surgery needed. The treatment is performed through the skin, resulting in little to no downtime or recovery time. This makes HIFU a very attractive option if you are looking to improve your appearance without undergoing a major surgical procedure or medical injections.

HIFU can also be used to target specific areas of the face, for example the neck to tighten sagging skin and also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also be used to improve the appearance of the cheeks and jawline, giving you a more defined and fresher look.

In addition to its skin-tightening benefits, HIFU has also been demonstrated to promote collagen production, giving you a more youthful, glowing appearance. As we age, collagen production in our skin decreases, leading to the development of fine lines then wrinkles as well as skin sagging and volume loss. Collagen is a protein that is naturally produced by the body and is responsible for giving skin its structure, elasticity, and firmness. HIFU can help to reverse this process by stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin fibres so that the skin tightens.

The treatment's suitability for you will be determined by our medical prescribing practitioner based on a medical examination and full consultation but it generally works best on people 30 years old or more and who have moderate skin laxity.

The treatment is much less likely to be effective if your skin has become very lax or "saggy", though our medical practitioner can give you advice on whether you fall into this category or not. There are of course a number of other treatments that we offer that could help instead.

HIFU is not suitable for people with lesions or severe damage to the treatment area, metallic implants in the tissue, or those with severe active acne.

A Bit More on the Science!

The HIFU face treatment works by sending highly focused acoustic energy below the skin's surface to cause cellular friction within the molecules, resulting in precise, target-point heating. The friction between these molecules produces heat and thermal injury at a focal point within the skin tissue to create thermal coagulation zones at 3 selected depths (1.5mm, 3.0mm and 4.5mm), leaving the skin's surface unaffected.

Delivering this focused energy to the dermal tissue causes immediate trauma to the treatment zone which then promotes heating, immediate contraction, and collagen stimulation. The healing process works over approximately 180 days, stimulating long-term tissue repair leading to further lifting and tightening.

The SMAS layer (superficial muscular aponeurotic system) is also targeted during the treatment and is composed of collagen and elastin fibres, similar to those of the dermal tissue, and when treated, gives a long-lasting tightening effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is High Intensity Focused Ultrasound?
HIFU is a safe, non-surgical ultrasound treatment that counteracts the effects of time and gravity on your skin. The treatment uses the body's own regenerative response to gently and gradually lift skin around the cheeks, under the chin and on the neck, and smooth lines and wrinkles.

2. Can HIFU Replace a Face Lift Procedure?
HIFU treats the deep SMAS layer addressed in cosmetic surgery but won't duplicate the results of a facelift. However, it is a great alternative, especially for those not ready for surgery or for patients looking to extend the effects of cosmetic surgery.

3. How Does HIFU Stimulate Collagen Production?
During the treatment the transducer delivers and deposits focused ultrasound energy deep beneath the skin at the optimal temperature for collagen regeneration. The treatment jumpstarts a natural process, known as neo-collagenesis, to produce fresh, new collagen. The treatment itself doesn't involve any creams, fillers or toxins, it just relies on your body's own collagen-building process for natural, noticeable results.

4. How Long Will a HIFU Treatment Take?
The length of the treatment will depend on the area being treated and your individual treatment plan. A face and neck procedure typically takes 60-90 minutes.

5. Will I Need to Take Time off Work?
With a single HIFU treatment there is no downtime. After your procedure, you can resume your normal activities immediately, without having to follow any special restrictive post-treatment measures.

6. What Does HIFU Feel Like?
As the ultrasound energy is delivered, you will feel tiny amounts of energy being deposited to precise depths, indicating that the collagen-building process has been initiated. Comfort levels vary from person to person, but the sensation only lasts while the ultrasound energy is being delivered.

7. How Many HIFU Treatments Will I Need?
Most clients only need one treatment. However, this may be based on the degree of skin laxity, the biological response to ultrasound energy and the individual's collagen-building process, some clients may benefit from additional treatments. Because skin continues to age, future touch-up treatments can help clients keep pace with the body's natural ageing process.

8. Are There Any Side Effects?
The skin might appear flushed at first, this can be during treatment but sometimes lasting longer, the redness should however disappear within a few hours. Some clients experience slight swelling, tingling or tenderness to the touch, but these are temporary.

9. How much does a treatment cost?
Subject to a medical consultation (which costs £50 with our doctor or senior nurse practitioner) a typical HIFU only treatment costs £550. The treatment can also be combined with other treatments such as polynucleotide injections which can help prepare the skin for HIFU for even better results.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Call us on 02380 637638 for a free clinic information pack or book for a consultation to assess your suitability for this and other treatments.