HIFU delivers focused ultrasound energy deep beneath the skin’s surface at carefully selected depths, to stimulate your skin’s natural collagen remodelling response. It is one of the most interesting technologies in aesthetics today, and it is not right for everyone. A consultation is needed to assess whether it suits you.
Ageing is inevitable. We are all going to age, and as the years go by our skin naturally produces less collagen and elastin, the proteins that help give it strength, firmness and support. We also experience changes in facial volume and structure, and we gradually begin to see what so many of us notice in the mirror: softer cheeks, a less defined jawline, looser skin and a face that can start to look as though it is heading south and not reflecting who we feel like on the inside.
It is not about looking 20 years younger or changing the way you look. It is about understanding what happens to our face and skin as we age, and finding ways to support our own biology, preserve what we have and stimulate what we are naturally beginning to lose.
For me, this is where modern aesthetics becomes really exciting. We can look at the ageing process, understand what is changing underneath the skin, and create an individual pathway designed to support your skin as it ages, while still allowing you to look natural, refreshed and completely like yourself.
We are not trying to stop the clock. We are slowing it down and helping you to Age Amazingly.
How HIFU actually works
Think of your skin as having different layers.
Your skincare works predominantly at or near the surface. HIFU is different, because it allows us to deliver focused ultrasound energy deep beneath the skin’s surface at carefully selected depths.
I like to explain it this way. Think about when your clothes become too big and you need to go down a dress size, or have them taken in so they fit you properly again. That is effectively what we are targeting with HIFU.
As we age and lose collagen and elastin, our skin can start to feel as though it no longer fits the underlying structure of our face quite as snugly as it once did. By stimulating the skin’s natural collagen remodelling response, HIFU may help improve firmness and create a tighter, more lifted appearance over time.
Over the following weeks and months, the natural repair response continues and collagen remodelling develops gradually. We are stimulating your own skin to do the work, and that, for me, is what makes HIFU so interesting.
What is the treatment like?
A full face and neck treatment usually takes somewhere between 45 and 90 minutes. Our HIFU also has the ability to target body areas such as arms, tummies, inner thighs and knees, and these areas can take up to 90 minutes.
Ultrasound gel is applied and the handpiece is moved systematically across the treatment area. You may feel brief warmth and prickling sensations as the ultrasound energy is delivered. Sensation can vary depending on the area being treated and from person to person.
Afterwards, the skin may look slightly flushed or feel tender or tingly. These effects are generally temporary.
How HIFU fits with your wider treatment plan
Rather than relying on one treatment to do everything, we can use different approaches to support skin quality, collagen and the overall appearance of firmness and rejuvenation.
For me, that is the Age Amazingly philosophy. Not chasing ageing after it happens, but creating a pathway that supports your skin as it changes.
Who HIFU may not suit
HIFU is not suitable for people with pacemakers or implanted defibrillator devices. It is also not a substitute for surgery. Where there is significant skin laxity or substantial descent of the tissue, a non surgical treatment may not be able to achieve the degree of change someone is hoping for.
There are also other medical and skin related circumstances where HIFU may not be appropriate. These are discussed and assessed during consultation before treatment.
The important thing is that we assess the individual rather than simply treating everyone in the same way.
Frequently asked questions
Is HIFU painful?
Sensation varies from person to person and between different treatment areas. You may experience warmth or prickling as the energy is delivered, particularly around some of the bonier areas of the face and body.
How long do HIFU results last?
Everyone ages differently, so results and longevity vary. HIFU does not stop the natural ageing process. The aim is to stimulate your body’s own collagen remodelling response and support the skin as it continues to age. Results will be optimal if you have completed your recommended course of treatments.
How many HIFU treatments will I need?
This depends on your skin, age, degree of laxity, the areas being treated and what we are trying to achieve. We review your progress rather than simply putting everyone onto the same treatment schedule. We recommend a series of 3 to 6 sessions over 6 to 12 months.
Is there downtime after HIFU?
There is generally minimal disruption to normal activities, although temporary redness, tenderness, tingling or swelling may occur.
Is HIFU right for you?
The only way to really answer that question is to come in for your complimentary consultation so we can discuss and develop a treatment journey just for you.
At Age Amazingly, we do not believe ageing should be approached with a one size fits all treatment plan. We want to understand your skin, your facial structure, what has changed and, most importantly, what you would like to achieve.
Our role is to help you understand your options and create a pathway that feels right for you.
Because ageing is inevitable. But finding your own pathway to Age Amazingly is the exciting part.
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This article provides general information only and is not medical advice. Individual suitability, experience and results vary. A consultation is required before treatment and all procedures carry risk.