It’s a hard pill to swallow, but skincare will not stop your skin from sagging. It will slow the ageing process, and you will have an infinitely better skin texture and tone with fewer lines and wrinkles. Still, the skin will eventually sag as the underlying structures of the face and neck begin to alter, with internal (hormones, diet & lifestyle) and external (sun, climate & pollutants) factors contributing to these changes.
Sagging skin around the mouth, jawline, chin, and neck can be distressing, but there are alternatives and solutions to skin laxity other than going under the surgeon’s knife.
Of course, active skincare will always be the best place to start and will ensure whatever else you do to improve your appearance has a better outcome. But it’s not the do-all magic bullet you might wish it was.
So with that in mind, let’s look at one technology known as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), a skin-tightening device that will help lift and tighten a sagging facial appearance.
Introducing HIFU.
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that uses ultrasound energy to tighten and lift skin on the face and neck or any area of the body where sagging skin is a concern.
Now, let’s look at the top three benefits of HIFU for skin tightening and lifting.
#1 Non-Invasive and Safe.
One of the most significant benefits of HIFU is that it is a non-invasive procedure, which means there are no surgical incisions, anaesthesia, or a long recovery time. HIFU uses ultrasound energy to target the deep layers of the skin, which stimulates collagen production, leading to tighter, more lifted skin.
Unlike surgical facelifts, which can be painful and require weeks of recovery, HIFU is a safe and painless procedure that can be performed in as little as one hour.
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have approved HIFU to treat facial skin tightening and lifting.
However, while the treatment is safe for all skin types and does not cause any significant side effects, you may experience some redness, swelling, or mild discomfort after the treatment. These side effects are usually temporary and resolve within a few days.
#2 Long-Lasting Results.
Another advantage of HIFU is that it provides long-lasting results. The treatment stimulates collagen production, which continues for up to six months after the procedure. In other words, your skin continues to improve and look better over time which means you can experience tighter, more lifted skin for up to two years after your initial treatment.
Your specific result will largely depend on your skin condition; most skin care professionals recommend repeating the treatment every 12 months with HIFU to maintain the results.
#3 Fast and to the point.
HIFU is a quick and convenient treatment that can be performed in as little as one hour. In most cases, you can return to normal activities immediately after the treatment without downtime or recovery time.
What’s great about HIFU is that the treatment is customised to meet your needs. The depth and energy levels can be adjusted to target specific areas of the face, such as the cheeks, forehead, or neck. This means you can achieve a customised, natural-looking result that enhances your unique facial features.
Which brand of HIFU device should you opt for?
The best-known brands are Ultherapy and Ultraformer III, but they are by no means the only brands on the market. Ultimately the skincare professional you consult with will provide you with recommendations for your skin type and the overall condition of your skin.
It’s important to note that while many will call HIFU treatments a non-surgical facelift, HIFU is probably better described as an excellent treatment as an alternative to a facelift when the signs of ageing are less advanced or as a precursor to cosmetic surgery.
- Ultraformer III
- Ultraformer III is a non-invasive HIFU device designed to lift and tighten the skin on the face, neck, and body. It uses micro-focused ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity. The device has multiple cartridges that allow customised treatments to target specific areas of the face or body.
- Ultherapy
- Ultherapy is a popular HIFU device that is FDA-cleared for non-invasive lifting and tightening of the skin on the face, neck, and chest. It uses ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity.
If you’d like a more comprehensive review of each device and how they differ, check out this article: Ultherapy versus Ultraformer III.
My final thoughts?
For some, a combination of cosmetic injectables, micro-needling, chemical peels and HIFU provides the results you’re looking for. You could do it all or opt for HIFU as a stand-alone treatment.
Always consult an experienced and qualified skin care professional to determine if the treatment is right for you and whether you’d benefit from a combination of treatments.
And, of course, a good diet, avoiding what I like to call the four big ass agers, and consistently using active skincare and broadspectrum sunscreen will help you reach the pinnacle of your skin goals.
So now you know. There are alternatives to cosmetic surgery with medical devices such as HIFU, a safe, effective, and non-invasive facial skin tightening and lifting treatment with long-lasting results.
I hope that helps in better understanding how high-intensity focused ultrasound works. If you have more questions, you can email me.
See you next time,
