What are the benefits of facial HIFU for face lifting?

While HI FU is not going to address many issues that surgery would, it can be a viable, non-invasive treatment for helping to tighten certain areas of the face, namely neck and jowls (depending on the case).  With results that can last up to a year or longer and a treatment that takes around one hour, I believe it is a treatment worth considering as I have had patients who are very happy with the results .    

For unique cases where a variety of modalities could be used to treat the condition, I would suggest an in-person or virtual consultation to develop a custom and effective treatment plan. It is difficult to precisely define the best option without collecting the same information. I suggest reaching out to an expert for a consultation with surgical and non-surgical methods to get a comprehensive option. Best, Dr. Emer.

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a non surgical technology to firm the skin. As a Plastic Surgeon who is an expert on the face it is important to answer its benefits truthfully and as an expert should. HIFU like other modalities that claim to lift the face and neck are simply not true. What these devices can do is firm the skin and that is all non surgical devices do they firm skin, despite claims they lift deeper tissue. As a Plastic Surgeon if you are considering a Facelift then I would recommend not getting a HIFU treatment as it can cause unnecessary scarring to deeper tissue that interferes with surgery. Other non surgical devices like Needling, Radiofrequency, Laser and Peels can help the skin before and after a facelift.

My main concern with non-surgical options for jowls is that they do not address the true anatomical reason for the ageing effects to have occurred in the first place which is a descent of the soft tissues and fat compartments in the face along with a weakening of the muscles. The use of a non-surgical energy based treatment  will not relocate the tissues back to their youthful position and will only provide a shortlived temporary minor improvement. The best procedure is a lower face and necklift which will relocate the tissues to their normal position and provide a longlasting effect. Of course facelift and necklift procedures is not one all-encompassing procedure since every face is different and the specific type of surgery and adjustment to the deep tissues ( the SMAS layer and platysma) will be different. You may also need surgery to address the eyebags such as a blepharoplasty. It  is best to seek out a surgeon who is experienced in all types of facelift surgery and who is able to individualise your surgery to the specific ageing features in your face. Beware of surgeons promoting one type of branded facelift or enticements into a local anaesthetic procedure. The ageing face needs an overall assessment and may require multiple techniques during the facelift to provide the best longlasting natural result.  lift with blepharoplasties and fat transfer all under local anaesthetic !

HIFU means High Intensity Focused Ultrasound and it is a very specific technology that is not the same as other forms of ultrasound. The only device that is FDA approved for noninvasive skin lifting is Ultherapy, which is a prescriptive product meaning it has to be done by a physician or under a doctor's supervision. Ulthera can produce measurable lifting but not filling, and the results are not the same as a surgical facelift.

There is no substitute for a standard anatomic surgical facelift. All of the non surgical treatments may or may not produce temporary tightening. They all fall in time. The most efficient and effective way to treat the cheek and neck- is with a complete surgical facelift. And if you have excess skin on your upper lids/ or fat pockets on your lower lids-- it can be permanently treated with a blepharoplasty.

Youwill find that generally, HIFU is useful if you require mild tightening andlifting. However, it is no substitute to a surgical face and neck lift. Ifyou’ve experienced severe facial ageing, it is best to be treated with surgery.This is usually combined with facial fat grafting to give a more youthfulappearance.

Thank you for your question.I would not devote any time or resources to HiFu to fill between eye bags and any significant lifting.  If you need volume, lifting, and tightening then you will most likely benefit from surgical approaches.  HiFu "might" tighten some of the superficial tissue but it will not fill to any significant amount.HiFu should certainly not be thought of as a substitute for facelifting.  Make sure to see a board certified plastic surgeon for a thorough evaluation.  In face see several.Best Dr. L

Dear malonso,
Thank you for posting your question. While HIFU (high intensity focussed ultrasound) can have a lifting effect on facial tissues, it is towards the milder end of the scale and more suitable for milder facial ageing or for maintainence of effect in the long term post surgery.  I think you may be disappointed if you are expecting or hoping for similar results to a facelift or lower eyelid lift from it.
I suggest consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who offers facelift and eyelid lift surgery as well as non surgical facial rejuvenation techniques such as HIFU before undertaking any treatment. Then your degree of ageing and desired results can be discussed and the best treatment planned for you.
I hope this is helpful and good luck with your research.
Best wishes

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a modality used treat a variety of medical conditions and should not be confused with specific ultrasound-based devices used in facial aesthetics.  To date, Ultherapy is the only non-invasive procedure FDA-cleared to lift skin on the neck, under the chin, and on the eyebrow.  It is also now FDA-cleared to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles on the décolletage.  This ultrasound-based device tightens the facial tissues through thermal energy.  The thermal energy heats up the tissues beneath the skin, which stimulates collagen production and subsequent tightening.  However, it is important to consider that the results of non-surgical facial rejuvenation will never be as effective as surgical rejuvenation such as a facelift or eyelid surgery.  It is also important to note that ultrasound-based devices will not produce filling.
Patients with mild signs of facial aging that want mild improvement or maintenance and minimal downtime are typically good candidates for non-surgical rejuvenation such as ultrasound-based devices and fillers.  Patients with severe facial aging are best treated with surgery such as a facelift or blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery).  These are also often combined with facial fat grafting; fat is your body's own natural permanent filler with an unlimited supply.  View before-and-after photos of both surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation in patients who have similar facial aging to you in order to evaluate which will produce the results you are seeking.  I would recommend a consultation with a plastic surgeon well-versed in facelift and eyelid surgery who also offers non-surgical rejuvenation to make more specific recommendation to achieve the natural look you desire.  Best of luck!
Ziyad Hammoudeh, MD