How to turn back time? HIFU - ultrasound therapy for facial skin tightening

Currently, the popularity of non-surgical skin tightening procedures is rapidly increasing. According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, it increased by almost 12 percent in two years (from 2015 to 2016). HIFU is one of the non-surgical skin beautification procedures, which every year arouses increasing interest of customers in Lithuania as well. The HIFU procedure at the Socrates clinic is performed with the highest quality standard medical devices of the AMI company.

HIFU is a safe, non-surgical, ultrasound-based procedure based on physiological skin renewal processes and gently and gradually tightens the skin in the eyelids, chin, and neck areas, as well as smoothing small wrinkles and reducing skin folds in the décolleté area. It can also be performed to tighten the skin of the thighs, abdomen, thighs and buttocks. HIFU therapy is perfect for those looking for an alternative to surgical procedures, as well as those who want to eliminate the first signs of aging.

The procedure is not surgical, but its results in certain clinical situations are comparable to those achieved by surgical skin tightening procedures or botulinum injections.

HIFU therapy. What is it?

HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) – high intensity focused ultrasound. Ultrasound is a type of sound inaudible to the human ear with a frequency greater than 20 kHz. When ultrasound waves affect living tissues, heat is generated, which stimulates and accelerates the body’s regenerative processes.

HIFU therapeutic processes take place in two stages. The first is during the procedure, when collagen fibers that have lost their elasticity shrink and shorten, resulting in a skin tightening effect. The second stage lasts 3-6 months after the procedure. During it, new collagen and elastin fibers are formed and the skin becomes smoother, firmer, more elastic, and most importantly, light and moderate skin sagging is smoothed out, the skin becomes smoother and the contour is smoother.

High-intensity ultrasound therapy is based exclusively on physiological skin regeneration processes. The procedure does not use serums, creams, synthetic fillers, collagen substitutes or other substances, so the procedure does not cause allergic reactions and is extremely well tolerated.

What effect does HIFU have on my skin?

High-intensity ultrasound waves, when interacting with living tissues, have a thermomechanical effect. After absorbing ultrasound energy, tissue molecules begin to vibrate and therefore the temperature of the tissue at the procedure site suddenly rises above 60 degrees, and high-pressure micro-bubbles are formed in the tissue fluid. Due to the increased temperature and the mechanical effect of decomposing microbubbles, old and lost collagen fibers break down, shrink, shorten, and the synthesis of new collagen and elastin fibers is intensively stimulated. In this way, the skin is gradually lifted naturally over a period of about 6 months.

HIFU therapy provides obvious and long-lasting results also because the effect of ultrasound also occurs in the subcutaneous fatty tissue. Under the influence of ultrasound waves, the collagen fibers in it shorten, thicken, and therefore the skin becomes smoother, shallow wrinkles and skin folds disappear. Ultrasound waves reach the deepest subcutaneous layers without damaging the surface of the skin, so no special skin care is required after the procedure and you can immediately enjoy your daily activities again.

When is the HIFU procedure suitable? Consultation.

The procedure is very suitable for those with sagging skin (the best results are achieved with mild to moderate skin sagging), when the skin lacks firmness, if small skin wrinkles or folds are noticeable. Before the procedure, a consultation with the clinic’s specialists is recommended, during which they will answer your specific questions and help you decide which areas of the face and body this procedure is most suitable for, and what results you can realistically expect.

How is the HIFU procedure performed?

Before the procedure, the skin is cleaned. The places of the procedure are smeared with a special gel and the necessary nozzle is selected, which directs the ultrasound waves to the deep layers of the skin. The tip is gently pressed against the skin and activated.

The procedure is completely painless. During it, you can feel a pleasant warmth, sometimes a slight tingling, which indicates that the collagen fiber regeneration process begins properly.

When to expect the result?

Since ultrasound therapy is based on the natural process of collagen fiber formation in the deep layers of the skin, the results appear gradually. You can enjoy the first results after 2-3 months, and you will see the final result after 6 months. The effect of skin tightening, depending on the individual characteristics of the body, lifestyle and other factors, lasts for 3-5 years. According to clinical research data, even 67 percent customers were very satisfied with the results after only 90 days.

How many procedures may be required?

One procedure is usually sufficient, but depending on the existing skin laxity, the body’s response to ultrasound therapy, and the individual rate of synthesis of new collagen fibers, some patients may require two procedures. Since the skin ages over time, in order to renew the achieved result, the procedure can be repeated after 3-5 years.

Are there possible side effects?

Since no special care is required after the procedure, it is possible to return to normal activities immediately after it. Some customers with more sensitive skin may experience a slight redness of the skin, may feel a slight tingling sensation or the skin may be more sensitive to the touch than usual. These effects are very mild and usually go away after a few hours. Like any medical procedure, ultrasound therapy in systemic, infectious skin or other diseases may have additional side effects, which you will discuss with a specialist during the consultation.

We invite you to register for a consultation with Med. m. Dr. plastic and reconstructive surgery doctor Inga Guogienė!

Read more about the HIFU procedure here.