HIFU

Understanding HIFU Skin Tightening

The procedure is a non-invasive treatment designed to tighten skin and firm facial and body contours. This is accomplished over a period of time as the body responds to the heat effect of the treatment by spurring new collagen production. (Collagen is the building block that provides structure to your skin.)

The procedure is available with options including:

·        Facial and Neck Tightening

·        Eyes

·        Body

Why Skin Sags and Loses Firmness

Skin is made up of three distinct layers: a visible outer layer on the surface called the epidermis, a collagen-rich underlayer beneath the surface called the dermis, and an inner layer beneath the dermis called the subcutaneous layer, also known as the fat layer that has a web of collagen fibers running through it.

When the collagen in these three layers breaks down due to sun exposure, family heredity, or the normal aging process, your face begins to sag and wrinkle. Body skin stretched by pregnancy, weight loss, age and environmental stress loses firmness and smooth texture.

For a treatment to effectively tighten the collagen in the under layer or the inner layer of your skin, those layers must be adequately energized and stimulated. To date, one of the recognized methods of accomplishing this is through the application of heat deep within the tissue. HIFU was created for this single purpose.

Radio Frequency

The procedure employs a patented radiofrequency (RF) technology. It has been clinically proven to tighten and gently lift skin and renew facial and body contours. The incision-free procedure is fast and easy, and requires no downtime from normal activities. Unlike lasers, the procedure can be performed on patients of all skin types, colors and backgrounds.

How it Works to Tighten Skin

The both systems use a sophisticated treatment tips/cartridges, which delivers a controlled amount of RF energy. With each touch to the skin, the devices uniformly heats a large volume of collagen in the deeper layers of the skin and its underlying tissue while simultaneously protecting the outer layer of the skin with cooling. This deep uniform heating action causes the loose and disorganized collagen structures in your skin to immediately tighten. Over time, new and remodeled collagen is produced to further tighten skin, resulting in healthier, smoother skin and a more youthful appearance.

Treatment results vary from patient to patient with some patients experiencing more effect than others. Photos presented on this site and others are not promises of similar results.

Steps in Your Procedure

Your skin is thoroughly cleansed prior to the procedure. (Please do not wear mineral makeup, mineral or "pearled" eye shadow or mineral blush the day of treatment. Refrain from the use of tanning products a week prior.) Your treatment is customized to provide the most benefit for your particular needs and concerns.

A special pad with adhesive backing will be placed on your back or leg. This pad completes the "circuit" for the RF energy and is removed when your treatment is completed. A paper transfer will be used to place a "grid" on the areas of your face or body to be treated. This grid ensures complete and uniform treatment and assists in the customizing of the treatment. Some areas will require more "passes" of the tips than others to achieve the desired results. The grid markings are washed off completely

During the treatment you will be asked to provide feedback on the level of heating you feel from the RF pulses. This feedback allows the best selection of RF energy levels to be used and makes certain you remain comfortable throughout the procedure.

Facial and Neck Tightening* – Areas Treated

Periorbital region: Forehead and area around the eyes

Mid/Lower face: Includes the cheeks, area around the mouth, jaw line, jowls, and area under the chin

Lower face/submental: Includes the area around the mouth, chin, jaw line, jowls, and area under the chin

Full face: Includes the periorbital region and mid/lower face areas

*Patient results may vary

How Long Does the Treatment Take?

The procedure can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the size of the treatment area and the number of pulses required. Additional time may be required for skin preparation prior to the procedure.

What Will My Skin Feel Like after the Procedure?

Immediately following a HIFU procedure, your skin will feel tighter with a sensation of warmth. Over time, you will notice additional tightening.

Will I Need Multiple Treatments?

Unlike many laser procedures requiring four or more sessions, a single treatment has produced results in the majority of patients. Other skin enhancing procedures work well with HIFU and may be used immediately or shortly after your treatment.

BOTOX Cosmetic is the well-established wrinkle relaxer for those areas which experience habitual muscle movement such as the forehead and the area between the brows that give a worried look.

Wrinkle fillers are the icing on the cake for lines and folds that show age. If you have inherited genes that make your skin look older than it should, or have spent too many years out in the sun, the resulting wrinkles can be improved with the latest of filler products such as Juvederm or Restylane.

Lost facial volume can be replaced by the power of Sculptra, a unique collagen stimulating product that returns the youthful 

plumpness lost through age or illness. Radiesse is used for deep nasolabial folds, cheek augmentation and subtle nose reshaping.

Immediate and Continuing Results

Recently published studies conducted by HIFU show that measurable tightening improvements appear gradually after a single treatment session. Results are lasting as the procedure induces additional collagen formation. As with any procedure, it does not stop the natural aging process. Improvement of any nature, even that of a surgical facelift, will diminish over the years with the natural aging of the skin and supportive tissues.

No Downtime

Most people return to their regular activities immediately following the HIFU procedure. Some people experience mild redness (like a sunburn), but it usually disappears quickly. No special care is needed after treatment unless otherwise instructed.

Body

HIFU has increased public awareness in the treatment's ability to tighten loose body skin, especially loose skin on the tummy area. Used post-pregnancy or post-liposuction, HIFU may help tighten those areas of crepe-like skin.

HIFU is an excellent combination treatment along with Mesotherapy. Although these procedures induce tightening on their own, the dual treatment offers the potential of increased firming in the areas treated. HIFU recently introduced HIFU CL, a single treatment for improvement in the appearance of cellulite.

Benefits and Advantages

Most importantly, there is no recovery or patient downtime. Patients may return back to work directly after the procedure. Secondly, selecting HIFU for skin tightening means no cutting, 

surgical drains, sutures or bruising. Lastly, there is no special follow-up regime.

Find out if HIFU is right for you by visiting ESTHETIQUE today.

 * Individual Results May Vary