is there any risk of depigmentation or vitiligo in using HIFU face lifting?

To date, there have been over 100,000 Ulthera treatments performed worldwide.  While there may be some temporary erythema of the skin immediately following the treatment, there is no suggestion in the literature of depigmentation of the skin or vitiligo being a risk of Ulthera. Our experience as the number one Ulthera provider in the United States corroborates this.  We have never seen this complication in any of our many thousands of patients. 

Skin tightening technology all uses heating of the dermis to generate some sort of aesthetic improvement. They seem to be quite safe but also seem to be quite ineffective.

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), also know as Ultherapy, should not cause any changes in the pigmentation of the skin.  It can be used in people of all colors and skin types.  

HIFU, or Ulthera, bypasses the skin to treat and tighten the underlying tissues. Therefore, it should not (nor has it in our experience) affect the skin adversely and can be used in all patients regardless of their skin type.