Dr Anup Dhir
HIFU is a non-surgical face treatment that uses ultrasound to actually lift muscle and tone loose or sagging skin without any downtime. Since time immemorial, men and women have desired eternal youth. One of the first signs of aging, is the appearance of wrinkles and sagging of the facial skin. This is due to the loss in the elasticity of the skin and decrease of underlying supporting tissue brought about by cell aging, effect of sun and pollutants.
Face lift procedures are done to tighten the skin of the face and neck, thus reducing wrinkles and making it look more youthful. Surgical facelifts have been popular procedures for several decades.
HIFU and Ultherapy are new, FDA approved, non-surgical techniques used to tighten the skin and improve tone. They use energy generated by ultrasound, to stimulate the skin tissue and promote healing, making the skin tighter, toned and smooth. Collagen is a natural protein that gives skin its youthfulness by keeping it firmed, toned and elastic. As we age, collagen loses its elasticity and its ability to stand up to the effects of gravity that pull the skin downward. HIFU jump starts a repair process that produces fresh, new collagen.
The biggest advantage of using ultrasound for lifting and toning facial skin, is that it avoids surgery. It can be done as an outpatient procedure, avoiding hospital admission. It can be used to smoothen wrinkles, tighten facial and neck skin and improve bags and dark circles under the eyes.
Ultrasound has been used for decades in the medical field and is a safe modality. Ultrasound waves generated by the machine deliver targeted energy to the deeper layers of the skin. This stimulates the growth of collagen, which provides support to the sagging skin, making it firmer and more taut. As the healing occurs by regeneration, the results continue to improve up to six months after the procedure.
Immediately after the procedure, the skin may appear slightly red, tender and swollen, but this settles within a few hours. There are no long term side effects of the procedure. Depending on the need of patients, the procedure can be repeated in a few months.
This procedure may not be suitable if you have significant acne on your face, any wound or infection in the area to be treated, or have metallic implants While HIFU is not a replacement for a surgical face lift, there are many people who want some lifting but are not ready for surgery, either mentally, financially or logistically. There are also younger people who want to “stay ahead of the game” as well as those looking to prolong the effects of cosmetic surgery.
