The non-invasive procedure known as HIFU facial, or high-intensity focused ultrasound facial, is used to treat facial ageing. This operation is a part of a rising movement toward non-invasive anti-ageing treatments that offer some of the advantages of a facelift.
Ultrasound is utilised in a HIFU facelift to heat the skin to a deep temperature. As a result of the heat damage, the body works to repair the injured skin cells. In order to accomplish this, the body produces collagen to aid in cell renewal. Collagen is a protein that gives the skin its structure and flexibility.
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery claims that non-invasive ultrasound procedures like HIFU Singapore can:
- tighten the skin around the neck
- decrease the prominence of jowls
- raise sagging eyelids or brows
- smoothing out facial wrinkles
- tighten and reshape the chest skin
The ultrasound used in this procedure is different from the ultrasound that doctors utilise for medical imaging. In HIFU, specific body areas are targeted with high energy waves.
Experts also use HIFU to treat malignancies in MRI sessions that can take up to three hours. The length and severity of these sessions are much greater.
Procedure
The target area of the face is normally cleaned by doctors before using a gel to begin HIFU facial rejuvenation. Then they use a handheld device that emits brief ultrasonic energy bursts. Each session typically lasts between 30 and 90 minutes.
Some people only feel a little discomfort while others feel pain following the surgery. Before the procedure, doctors could inject a topical anaesthetic to decrease this discomfort. Over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) may also be helpful.
Contrary to other cosmetic procedures like laser hair removal, HIFU facials don’t require any kind of advance preparation. Additionally, there is no waiting period for recuperation following a session, allowing patients to get back to their regular daily routines.
People may require as little as one session or as many as six, depending on the results they hope to achieve.
Does the science back up its efficacy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of HIFU facials. For a 2018 review, studies on the application of ultrasound technology were looked at. After evaluating studies that employed the process, researchers came to the conclusion that ultrasound is a safe and effective treatment for skin tightening, body tightening, and cellulite removal.
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery claims that consistent skin care can help keep these advantages for up to a year. Positive outcomes from ultrasound skin tightening often appear after two to three months.
Studying the effectiveness of HIFU facials on Korean patients revealed that the area surrounding the lips, cheeks, and jawline were the most improved by the technique. The researchers compared standard photographs of the participants that were taken before the treatment and three and six months later.
The effectiveness of an HIFU face was evaluated after 7, 4, and 12 weeks in a distinct study. After 12 weeks, the skin elasticity of the subjects had significantly improved in all of the treated areas.