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Dr Lisa Chan tells us about High Intensity Focused Ultrasound and what it is used for, including getting a more lifted look and reducing signs of ageing
In this very beauty-centric society we live in today, our faces are an essential part of our identity, so It’s no wonder that the changes that come with ageing—such as sagging, wrinkling and loss of definition—can impact both self-esteem and confidence.
The good news is, if you want to minimise some of the common signs of ageing but you don’t want to go under the knife, science is able to help. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), which was first approved by the FDA in 2009, utilises non-ionising ultrasonic waves to heat up and tighten various layers of the skin without causing surface damage. Due to its ability to give the skin a more plump and firm look, HIFU is widely used for facial rejuvenation, lifting and tightening, as well as body contouring.
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HIFU doesn’t only treat the surface of the skin, it can target different layers of the skin and therefore achieve a variety of results. At 1.5mm, HIFU energy can reduce signs of ageing in the superficial dermis, improve skin elasticity and firmness. At 3mm, HIFU is used to stimulate collagen production in the deep dermis to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. At 4.5mm, it is used to tighten the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) layer, which is the area that plastic surgeons target for traditional facelifts. This results in a subtle lifting effect, which is most apparent around six months after the treatment.
Like all things skincare, there needs to be consistency in using this treatment, and it’s best to receive HIFU every 12 to 18 months to maintain optimal results.
Having said that, and in all transparency, while HIFU can create the look of being more naturally lifted, it’s not suitable for those with severely saggy skin, loss of volume, dynamic wrinkles or excessive fat. A combination of treatments such as thread lifts, fillers, botulinum toxin or lipolytic agents may be needed in those cases.
It’s also important to understand that HIFU generates heat in the skin and should be performed by a trained medical professional in order to minimise side effects such as pain, numbness, swelling or, in rare cases, burns.
My preferred way to perform a HIFU treatment is with the help of Microfocused Ultrasound with Visualisation (MFU-V), which is an advanced technology that generates visuals that incorporate real-time imaging, which allows the clinician to see and precisely deliver the ultrasound energy to specific layers of the skin.
This is important because each patient’s anatomy is unique, and being able to see a realistic visualisation of each person’s skin enables the clinician to customise the treatment accordingly. This can also help reduce the risk of damage to nerves and blood vessels, and aid in delivering optimal lifting and tightening results.
Time may spare no one, but with a plethora of minimally invasive options available to us, there is no reason to fear the changes that time inevitably brings. I hope my patients are able to look in the mirror and love what they see, whatever season of life they are in.
This is part of a monthly column in collaboration with Dr Lisa Chan, a Hong Kong-based general practitioner who has an avid interest in medical beauty. Dr Chan, MBChB (CUHK), MScPD (Cardiff), PgDipPD (Cardiff), PGDipClinDerm (Lond), DipMed (CUHK), DCH (Sydney), also holds a master's degree in practical dermatology with distinction at Cardiff University.
