High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a new skin tightening therapy that some consider a noninvasive and painless alternative to face lifts. It employs ultrasonic energy to stimulate collagen formation, resulting in tighter skin.
In this essay, we shall discuss the many features of HIFU in contrast to other facial treatments.
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Can Face Lifts Be Replaced With High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Treatment?
HIFU uses concentrated ultrasonic radiation to target the skin layers immediately under the surface. The ultrasonic energy causes the tissue to quickly heat up.
Cellular damage occurs when the cells in the targeted region reach a particular temperature. While this may seem paradoxical, the damage actually promotes the cells to make more collagen. This protein gives the skin structure.
Collagen production increases, which results in tighter, firmer skin with fewer wrinkles. In addition, because the high-frequency ultrasound beams are targeted on a particular tissue spot under the skin’s surface, the top layers of the skin and neighboring tissues are not harmed.
HIFU may not be suitable for everyone. In general, those over 30 with mild-to-moderate skin laxity benefit the most from the operation.
People with photodamaged skin or excessive loose skin may need many treatments before experiencing benefits.
Older persons with considerable photoaging, severe skin laxity, or very droopy skin on the neck are not suitable candidates and may need surgery.
People with open skin lesions and infections in the treatment region, severe or cystic acne, and metallic implants in the treatment area should avoid HIFU.
The Advantages of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) reports that HIFU and other nonsurgical alternatives to facelifts have recently grown in popularity. Between 2012 and 2017, the overall number of operations conducted climbed by 64.8 percent.
HIFU provides a variety of cosmetic advantages, including wrinkle reduction, tightening sagging skin on the neck (also known as turkey neck), and raising the cheekbones, brows, and eyelids.
What Does It Feel Like?
You may feel some pain throughout a HIFU operation. It’s been described as little electric pulses or a faint prickly feeling by others.
If you are scared about pain, your doctor may advise you to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or an NSAID, such as ibuprofen (Advil), before treatment.
You may have slight redness or swelling immediately after the treatment, progressively worsening over the next several hours.
Face Treatment with HIFU
There is no need to do anything unusual before having a HIFU surgery. However, remove any makeup and skin care products from the affected region before treatment.
Here’s what you can anticipate from your appointment:
- The target region is initially cleaned by a physician or technician.
- Before beginning, they may administer a topical anesthetic lotion.
- The ultrasonic gel is subsequently applied by the physician or technician.
- The HIFU device is applied to the skin.
- The physician or technician sets the gadget to the proper setting using an ultrasound viewer.
- Short pulses of ultrasound radiation are then supplied to the target region for 30 to 90 minutes.
- The device has been removed.
You will plan the next therapy if more treatments are required.
You may feel heat and tingling while the ultrasound energy is being administered. If it concerns you, you may take pain medicine.
After the operation, you can go home and continue your usual daily activities.