Does the word “HIFU” sound familiar to you? You might know about HIFU facelift treatment because you have heard about how good and its benefits of HIFU treatment from your friends or family.

Let’s put HIFU benefits aside. As this is a well known treatment globally, including SIngapore for its benefits, you might also have heard of things that HIFU has side effects.

However, are these really true? In this article, let’s discuss about HIFU’s facts or myths

What Is HIFU?

HIFU is a non-invasive treatment that uses focused ultrasound energy to target the layers of skin just below the surface.

The ultrasound energy causes the tissue to heat up rapidly, which stimulates the cells to produce more collagen to provide and gives skin its firmness and elasticity.

This increase in collagen results in tighter and firmer skin for a younger looking appearance.

The precision of HIFU treatment allows for targeted treatment without damaging the surface of the skin, making it a safe and effective option for those looking to achieve a more youthful appearance without surgery or downtime.

What Is HIFU Known For?

HIFU is known for being a safe and effective facelift treatment without having to go under the knife to achieve the desired appearance that the patient wants.

It is known for giving off anti-aging results without a lengthy recovery period. Its ability to achieve a more youthful and refreshed appearance without downtime has made HIFU a popular choice among individuals looking for ways to prevent signs of aging.

Also, slight results of HIFU can be seen in the first treatment, but that’s not all. HIFU’s effect will start to show around 2 to 3 months after the treatment because this time frame allows new collagen to mature and accumulate to a level where visible improvements in skin texture, firmness, and elasticity can be seen.

HIFU-Guess It Right: Fact Or Myth? 

Now that we have covered the session about what HIFU is and what HIFU is known for, let’s move on to the session where we debunk whether it’s a fact or myth.

Fact: HIFU Stimulates Collagen Production

HIFU targets the skin’s deeper layers with concentrated ultrasound energy. This energy generates low levels of heat in the targeted areas, creating controlled injury without harming the skin’s surface.

This process triggers the body’s natural healing response, which includes the stimulation of new collagen, a crucial protein that provides structure, elasticity, and firmness to the skin.

Over time, as new collagen is produced and matures, it leads to a tightening effect, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and enhances the overall texture and firmness of the skin.

This non-invasive, collagen-boosting mechanism behind HIFU makes it a popular choice for those seeking to rejuvenate their appearance without surgery.

Fact: HIFU Is Safe For All Skin Types 

HIFU is suitable for a wide range of skin tones and types. Unlike certain laser treatments that might pose risks for pigmentation changes in darker skin tones, HIFU bypasses the epidermis entirely, focusing energy on the dermis and subdermal tissue where collagen regeneration is stimulated which reduces the risk of post-treatment hyperpigmentation or scarring.

This makes HIFU an appealing option for skin tightening and rejuvenation which highlights its reliability as a treatment option for achieving firmer, youthful-looking skin without the concerns of skin type compatibility.

Fact: HIFU Has Long-Lasting Results 

HIFU effects usually last for 6 to 12 months, which is quite an amazing duration for a non-surgical facelift treatment.

The reason behind HIFU’s long lasting effect is because of its deep penetration and precise targeting of ultrasound energy, which stimulates the production of new collagen deep within the skin.

This process helps to lift, tighten, and rejuvenate the skin to achieve a youthful appearance that gradually improves over several months.

However, the duration of the effects is highly dependent on the individual’s skin condition, lifestyle, and natural aging process, but the fact that HIFU can offer noticeable improvements for up to a year makes it a go-to for those seeking ways to combat signs of aging without downtime or invasive procedures.

Myth: HIFU Treatments Are Painful

While some individuals may experience discomfort during the procedure, HIFU is a treatment that has made the process more tolerable.

The sensation felt during treatment is often described as tiny electric pulses or a light prickling, which is manageable for most patients and the pain tolerance for each individual is different.

Numbing cream can be requested to minimize pain before the treatment or adjusting the device’s settings to suit the patient’s comfort level

Myth: HIFU Shows Immediate Results

This is one of the most common myths that everyone has. Many individuals thought that HIFU results are immediate right after the treatment and yes, slight results are visible after one treatment, but the real and full results only start to show around 2 to 3 months later.

HIFU works by targeting deep layers of the skin with ultrasound energy, creating small thermal injuries that stimulate the body’s natural healing response, including the production of new collagen.

Collagen is known for maintaining skin structure and elasticity and the restructuring of existing collagen fibers is gradual, requiring time for noticeable improvements in skin firmness, texture, and appearance.

This explains the delay in visible results aligns with the time the body needs to generate new collagen and for these internal changes to manifest externally as tighter, more youthful-looking skin.

Myth: HIFU is Only for Older Patients

In reality, HIFU is one of the effective ways for younger individuals looking to address the early signs of aging or to maintain skin tightness and elasticity.

By stimulating collagen production deep within the skin, HIFU can improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and provide a subtle lift, making it a suitable option for those in their late 20s or early 30s who wish to proactively manage the aging process.

This can help delay the onset of the signs of aging, supporting a more youthful appearance for longer.

Therefore, HIFU is not just for older patients but is a valuable tool in the broader spectrum of age-related skin care strategies.

A Better Understanding Of HIFU

HIFU is not as complicated as it seems, it’s a treatment which you just need to lie down and relax. 

HIFU requires only around 1.5 to 2 hours to get it done, and taking note of the aftercare will get you the desired appearance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, HIFU is the treatment you will need if you are looking for a natural facelift effect without having to go through any invasive procedure. 

This makes HIFU a safe and effective go-to treatment for many individuals.

Schedule a consultation today and start your journey today.

This blog post was medically reviewed by Dr. Ian Tan.