Medical science has come a long way since crude metal instruments were used to poke around patients’ bodies with only a sketchy understanding of the anatomy, often with painful and less-than-desirable results. Fortunately, curiosity and want for better and safer surgeries has led from the needles of the stone-age to high precision lasers and, our topic of interest today, high-frequency sound waves. In this article we will explore HIFU treatments, or high-frequency focused ultrasound, in face-lifts and fat reduction.
Safe, inexpensive, localized treatments – mechanism of HIFU.
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, or HIFU treatments works by focusing multiple ultrasonic beams of low frequency but high energy levels through acoustic lenses onto a very specific target area, much like what a magnifying glass does with sunlight.
Individually, these beams pass harmlessly through tissue before converging at a single point. At the convergence point, molecules start to vibrate violently, impacting each other and generating heat through friction. The temperature is maintained anywhere between 43-80 degrees Celcius (below boiling point of water to prevent damage to neighbouring cells). The beams then diverge once again leaving the body harmlessly.
The heat generated by the ultrasound waves causes proteins to denature (stop functioning) at 41 degrees celcius through hyperthermia. This then leads the affected cells to be starved of oxygen and nutrients. The higher the heat, the quicker localized coagulative necrosis (cell death through oxygen starvation, or infarction) will follow through.
HIFU’s also works by another mechanism – the rapid expansion and implosion of gasses (known as cavitation formation) which produces high pressures and heat that damage surrounding tissue. While more powerful than hyperthermia alone, cavitation formation is difficult to control and thus is not commonly used.
HIFU treatments do not require surgery and are highly precise.
The use of HIFU also allows for precise (down to the millimetre) is perfect for targeting diseased tissue, such as cancer cells, of varying sizes and locations and depth.
It’s surgical-less method also means less pain and negligible recovery time. Also; the prospect of getting cut up by a sharp implement isn’t a pleasant.
These characteristics of HIFU treatments, combined with lower cost with almost no complications makes it a model for medical and cosmetic purposes alike.
HIFU treatments in cosmetics.
In cosmetic applications, this same approach is used in liposculpture to target and shape fatty adipose tissue or in face/neck lifts to tighten skin by contracting collagen fibres. it’s also used for brow lifts by stimulating collagen growth.
The best thing about HIFU treatments, however, is that the procedures are much safer and far less invasive compared to surgery. And, what is considered a breakthrough in body contouring, HIFU allows cosmeticians to liquefy fats and tighten skin quickly and safely.
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Liposculpture through lipolysis (breakdown) of fatty cells.
Often mistakenly called ‘non-invasive liposuction’, HIFU liposculpturing is a clean and simple process. Before starting any HIFU procedure it is important to take note if the patient:
- Has no open wounds.
- Suffers from heart disease or has an electronic pacemaker or defibrillator.
- Has metal implants (all metal items should be removed prior)
- Has had injections of hyaluronic acid, collagen or fillers.
After a consultation with the clinician to establish the patient’s medical history, the machine is adjusted to the right settings and the ultrasonic transducer is pressed gently onto the skin where it is run slowly but systematically over the targeted areas.
Because sound waves don’t travel well through air, a layer of ultrasound gel is needed to help conduct the sound waves, ensuring a close bond between the skin and the ultrasonic transducer device. If you’re uncomfortable with cold gels you can ask your clinic for pre-warmed ones.
HIFU works to reduce fat through to the mechanical lysis (breakdown) of fat cells (lipolysis), which is transported to the liver for removal or to be reused by the body.
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HIFU Facial Treatments for Skin Tightening.
Similar to HIFU liposculpturing, HIFU facial treatments are first preceded by a review of the patient’s medical background for known skin conditions and pain tolerance before having their expectations understood. The face is then cleaned and a layer of ultrasound gel is applied.
After adjusting the HIFU machine to the right settings, the ultrasonic transducer is pressed gently onto the skin where it is run slowly but systematically over the targeted areas as shown in figure 3 above.
This action gently heats the tissue 3 to 4.5mm underneath the skin, stimulating collagen growth. During the treatment the clinician will periodically check with the patient to see if they are feeling any discomfort.
The entire procedure will take approximately 45 to 60 minutes and the effects should last up to 18 months. The results can be seen in the video below.
HIFU face lifts can be done in tandem with PDO threading for better results.
Little discomfort; quick recovery.
Little discomfort can be felt as the transducer and its HIFU beams are passed over, which varies from patient to patient. However, any pain should subside an hour after treatment.
Because no surgery is involved, local anaesthesia isn’t required although sedation is recommended. As always – check with your doctor/clinician allergies (the medical background check might not always cover this, especially if you’re new treatments).
Overall, HIFU treatments have very good safety records with very high customer satisfaction.