HIFU or high-intensity focused ultrasound is one of the most popular facial skin care procedures among urban women. HIFU works by increasing the formation of collagen in the skin so that facial skin remains healthy, firm, and looks youthful.
At first, HIFU was better known as a treatment for tumors because of its ultrasonic waves that can kill cancer cells. However, now HIFU can also be used as a cosmetic procedure whose function is similar to facelift. The difference is, HIFU is non-invasive so it doesn't cause pain.
Various Benefits of Doing HIFU Treatment
Compared to other procedures, HIFU has several advantages. In terms of time efficiency, this procedure does not require recovery time. People who undergo HIFU also do not need to adhere to certain restrictions. Plus, HIFU is cheap compared to facelift.
Not only that, HIFU treatment also has a variety of benefits for facial skin that you can feel, including:
- Reduce wrinkles on the face
- Smooths facial skin
- Tighten loose skin on the neck
- Lifts the skin around the cheeks, eyebrows and eyelids
- Refines the jaw line
- Tighten the skin area between the neck and breasts
Although it has many benefits, not everyone is suitable for HIFU treatment. This procedure is recommended for people in their 30s, as HIFU is more effective when performed on mild to moderate skin sagging.
Skin that is too loose and wrinkled may need several HIFU procedures before it really shows results. Doctors may also recommend surgery if the sagging skin is too severe.
Procedure for HIFU Treatment
There is no special preparation to do HIFU treatment. You are only required to clean your face of makeup and skin care products before undergoing this procedure.
Here are a few steps of the procedure when you undergo HIFU treatment:
- The doctor will clean the entire face or the area to be given treatment
- The doctor or nurse may apply a topical anesthetic cream before starting to reduce discomfort
- The doctor or nurse starts applying the ultrasonic gel.
- The HIFU device is then placed on the skin
- The doctor or nurse adjusts the HIFU device to the right setting
- Ultrasonic energy begins to be sent to the target area on the face for about 30–90 minutes
- The HIFU device is then removed from the skin, then the face is cleaned
While undergoing HIFU treatment, you may feel a burning and tingling sensation, especially when ultrasonic energy is released. If you are in pain, your doctor or nurse can give you painkillers.
HIFU treatment usually do not cause side effects. Although some people experience redness and swelling of the skin, these side effects usually disappear within a few days.
Studies show that HIFU treatment usually only lasts about 6 months. Therefore, it is likely that you will need additional treatment or HIFU treatment repeated every 6 months.
If you are interested in doing HIFU treatments, make sure this is the method that works for you. Therefore, first consult a beauty doctor so that its safety and effectiveness is guaranteed.