Per an Ultherapy consultation, I was told HIFU is better - more effective and not painful like Ultherapy. Is that true?

Question

I want my face and neck done, and the place I was considering offers both Ultherapy and HIFU. I was steered toward HIFU as the better option, that it's newer and better. I've never heard of HIFU and not sure which option to take. They're offering both at the same price. They told me the HIFU treatment lasts about a year to 18 months. Also, what kind of professional can perform these treatments? Should they have a medical background? Please advise.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

ultherapy is HIFU and yes HIFU is painful but isnt painful with nerve blocks.
for facial rejuvenation I would suggest a combination approach of :
1) skin care with products and PRP/microneedling
2) PDT light therapy few times a month with growth factors
3) laser treatments like clear and brilliant regularly and a few times a year Fraxel, Viva, Co2/Erbium
4) Sculptra injections a few times a year for collagen production with fillers like juvederm/restylane/belotero/radiesse/bellafill
5) thermage/ultherapy for yearly skin tightening with or without PDO or cone based instalift threads for lifting
6) botox every 2-3 months to stop movement lines and prevent lines at rest
7) deep microneedling RF like Fractora/morpheus8 for tightening of the skin
Best, Dr. Emer.

Kimberly Butterwick, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. HIFU stands for high-intensity focused ultrasound, which is the technology in the Ultherapy device. In fact, Ultherapy is the only FDA-approved HIFU device in the U.S. to date. The treatment works by delivering ultrasound energy into the dermal layers, where gentle heating from the ultrasound constricts tissue and stimulates collagen production. 
I would not recommend undergoing any other type of HIFU treatment, due to concerns about safety and efficacy. If you decide to move forward with an Ultherapy treatment, make sure you work with a board-certified dermatologist who has extensive experience working with the device. This will ensure your treatment is both safe and as successful as possible.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

HIFU means High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, and Ultherapy is one version of HIFU. The principle is that when ultrasound energy is focused, is passes harmlessly across the surface of the skin and creates a point of heat at the focal point, set a a specific depth. The discomfort depends on the energy setting, how deep, and in what location. If someone is talking about HIFU for skin lifting that is not Ultherapy, it is either not truly HIFU or something not cleared by the FDA (probably both). In the latter case, it would have to be something of an energy capacity too low to do much.

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi Vanessa,It sounds as if there is a miscommunication.Ultherapy is the original and only FDA approved device that uses High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) technology to rejuvenate the face, neck, and decollate by tightening and lifting the skin and underlying muscles.  "Ulthera" has become a noun for HIFU.  Other medical device companies who have copied Ulthera's HIFU cannot call it Ulthera so they call it HIFU.Personally, I only use the original Ulthera device based on it's clinically proven safety and efficiency.  Treatment results are user dependent, I personally treat all of our Ultherapy patients to avoid life changing complications.  Choose your treating physician carefully.  Good luck and be well.Dr. P Encino, CA

Richard Salit, MD · Answer

Ultherapy is the most proven HIFU treatment with a long track record.
Treatment with Ultherapy is not rocket science but a trained experienced physician adds a degree 
of safety and ensures best results.

Per an Ultherapy consultation, I was told HIFU is better - more effective and not painful like Ultherapy. Is that true?

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