HIFU is an advanced procedure gradually introduced into the beauty industry as a new non-surgical treatment. It employs focused ultrasound energy to penetrate the body’s deeper skin layers without impacting the outer layer. It is a painless treatment generally intended to encourage the growth of collagen tissues necessary to tighten skin. 

With age, some signs include wrinkles resulting from little collagen and elastin in the skin, which cause it to sag and line. HIFU effectively solves these problems due to the stimulation of natural collagen.

What Causes Wrinkles?

As is normal, wrinkles are just a result of the skin aging over time and undergoing some transformations. Hyaluronic acid and collagen/elastin, which are the components that help to provide skin tone and elasticity, are produced less with age. This reduces skin elasticity and makes the skin incapable of returning to its original state, which leads to wrinkles and sagging. 

SunlightUV increases this and breaks down collagen and elastin fibers, contributing to skin aging. Smoking, bad diet, and excessive stress also negatively impact the skin and cause early signs of aging. These factors further degrade the skin’s elasticity to enhance wrinkle appearance.

Understanding HIFU Treatment:

HIFU, or High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, does not involve surgery. Still, it uses ultrasound energy focused on a targeted area in the skin’s structure and heats the required tissues without coming into contact with the skin’s surface. This process enhances collagen production and tightens the skin, eradicating wrinkles and enhancing skin elasticity. 

Thus, compared to surgical operations, it is generally considered safe, with low risks and no time off from work. Two categories of HIFU devices differ in ultrasound intensity and tissue irradiation depth. These technologies enable treatments to be prescribed based on the condition of the skin and the required results.

What to Expect During a HIFU Session?

Before the HIFU session, it is recommended that you wash your face and do not wear makeup or apply creams. During the treatment, which generally takes 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the area, you may feel mild pain or pins and needles as the ultrasound energy enters the skin layers. 

However, it has often been observed that most patients can endure it without anesthesia. After treatment, you may be a little red or puffy, but this only lasts for several hours to a few days.

Benefits of HIFU for Wrinkles:

In general, the HIFU treatment has several advantages for wrinkle reduction: 

1. It is less invasive since it does not involve surgery, incisions, or bleeds, reducing the time needed to heal. 
2. The outcomes are longer than those of other treatments because HIFU promotes collagen reparative growth, gradually enhancing skin quality. 
3. Besides line reduction, HIFU provides skin firming – the skin feels tighter, and the face looks more lifted.

Risks and Side Effects:

However, HIFU is relatively safe, and the side effects might only include redness, slight swelling, or tingling sensations right after the treatment. 

These often resolve within the shortest time possible, ranging from a few hours to a few days only. Such conditions include active skin infection or any auto-immune condition that would warrant the nonsuitability of HIFU. 

It is also necessary to warn pregnant women and patients with implanted devices or metal implants in the treated area from receiving HIFU.

Comparison with Other Wrinkle Treatments:

HIFU treatment is also not similar to Botox and dermal fillers in the following ways. Although Botox and fillers effectively minimize wrinkles by either paralyzing the muscles or filling them in, respectively, HIFU encourages collagen production for a more natural facelift. 

HIFU utilizes focused ultrasound to lift and tighten skin. Comparing the cost aspect, HIFU may prove more costly at this stage than Botox. However, those who have undergone the HIFU treatment may have their worries alleviated with the collagen rebuilding process, which may not require constant treatment like Botox. 

Still, each method has its pros; Botox and fillers give an instant effect, while HIFU’s effect increases as time goes on, and no injections are required.

Choosing a Qualified HIFU Provider:

When selecting a HIFU service provider, the following are critical aspects of consideration. 

1. The clinics you choose should have good reviews, and the staff should be experienced in the HIFU procedure. 
2. Verify their licenses and credentials to confirm they are knowledgeable and educated on the correct ways to use HIFU devices.
3.  While discussing the procedure with the specialist, learn about their experience performing HIFU and what outcomes should be expected after the procedure. 
4. Ask about the type of HIFU device they employ and any disadvantages or adverse effects of the therapy.

Consultation:

HIFU treatment is one of the best choices to address wrinkles without undergoing a facelift or Botox procedure. To get individual advice and make an appointment, Enfield Royal Clinic is a renowned institution specializing in cosmetic procedures. Let HIFU at Enfield Royal Clinics be a first step and help your skin become smoother and firmer.