Dr Navnit Haror, Founder and Director, Derma Miracle Clinic, New Delhi, discusses the uses and benefits of High-Intensity Focused ultrasound (HIFU) devices in aesthetic practices, especially with regards to facial rejuvenation.

H igh-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a relatively new cosmetic treatment for skin tightening that many aesthetic practitioners consider to be a non-invasive and painless replacement for face lifts. It uses ultrasound energy to encourage the production of collagen, which results in firmer skin. Several small clinical trials have found HIFU to be safe and effective for facial lifting and refining wrinkles. Patients were able to see results in a few months after treatment, without the risks associated with surgery.

While the procedure is also used for overall facial rejuvenation, lifting, tightening and body contouring, these are considered ‘off-label’ uses for HIFU, meaning the FDA has yet to approve HIFU for these purposes.

HIFU FACIAL

HIFU uses focused ultrasound energy to target the layers of skin just below the surface.

The ultrasound energy causes the tissue to heat up rapidly.

Once the cells in the targeted area reach a certain temperature, they experience cellular damage. While this may seem counterintuitive, the damage actually stimulates the cells to produce more collagen-a protein that provides structure to the skin.

The increase in collagen results in tighter, firmer skin with fewer wrinkles. Since the highfrequency ultrasound beams are focused on a specific tissue site below the skin’s surface, there’s no damage to the upper layers of the skin and adjacent tissue.

AESTHETIC BENEFITS

Unlike surgical facelifts, laser treatments and radio frequency, HIFU is the only noninvasive procedure that specifically targets the deep foundation below the skin, without cutting or disrupting the skin surface for your body’s own collagen production.

HIFU has many aesthetic benefits that include:

● Smoothing the skin

● Reduction of wrinkles

● Tightening of sagging skin around the neck

● Lifting cheeks, eyebrows and eyelids

● Abetter definition of the jawline

● Tightening of the décolletage

● Stimulation of collagen generation

HIFU VS FACELIFTS

HIFU is also known as the ‘non-surgical facelift’ as it is a great treatment for people wanting the benefits of a facelift, such as tightening or lifting areas such as the face, neck and upper chest.

The Ultracel HIFU device provides the results of a facelift without any invasive surgery or injections, which results in a further benefit -no downtime.

HIFU FOR FACE PROCEDURE

There is no special preparation needed before having an HIFU procedure. The practitioner is required to remove all make-up and skincare products from the target area before treatment.

HIFU TREATMENT PROTOCOL

1. A physician or technician first cleans the target area

2. They may apply a topical anaesthetic cream before starting

3. The physician or technician then applies an ultrasound gel

4. The HIFU device is placed against the skin

5. Using an ultrasound viewer, the physician or technician adjusts the device to the right setting

6. Ultrasound energy is then delivered to the target area in short pulses for roughly 30 to 90 minutes

7. The device is removed

If additional treatments are needed, the practitioner will schedule the next treatmen While the ultrasound energy is being applied, the patient might feel heat and tingling. In such cases, pain medication can be prescribed if there is discomfort.

As there is no downtime, the patient is free to go home and resume normal daily activities right away after the procedure. HIFU is considered a safe, effective and non-invasive procedure for tightening the facial skin. Its non-invasive process has obvious advantages over surgical facelifts as there are no incisions and no anaesthetic required. HIFU is also far less expensive than a face lift. With a HIFU device at their clinic, aesthetic practitioners will be better equipped to treat patients who need a facelift without having to go under the knife. This ‘lunchtime procedure’ can be combined with other treatments, home care, sun care and oral medication for better and long lasting results.

About the author:

DR NAvNIT HAROR, Founder and Director, Derma Miracle Skin and Hair Transplant Clinic, New Delhi, is a certified Dermatologist and Hair Transplant surgeon by Delhi Medical Council (DMC) and Medical Council of India(MCI) with over 11 years of experience. He is a gold medalist in dermatology and hsi specialisations include hair transplant and restoration, lasers, anti-ageing, eye services, facials, acne and pigmentation treatments, scar removal, dermatosurgery and body sculpting. He is also an internationally trained Hair Transplant Surgeon with 9500+ successful hair transplant surgeries. His expertise lies in creating natural looking hairlines with highest density.