Needless to say, the constant rat race and the hectic lives take a bigger toll on our mental and physical wellbeing. Worse yet, when old age hits, irreversible skin sagging occurs. This is when we all see a facelift as our ultimate saviour. But, what about 4D HIFU, the shiny new age-reversing treatment that claims to be non-surgical? Is it too good to be true, or should we put all our eggs in one basket? Let’s find out!
What is 4D HIFU?
HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) is an interesting cosmetic skin treatment considered to be non-invasive and almost painless treatment that is a nifty way to replace facelifts. This procedure uses ultrasound energy to kickstart collagen production of the skin, leading to a firmer appearance.
In fact, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved HIFU in 2009 particularly for brow lifts, and the device proved to dwindle wrinkles and lines in the upper chest and neckline as well.
HIFU is a promising treatment to fend off sagging, reduce wrinkles, lift cheeks, eyebrows, eyelids, enhance jawline and decrease double chin, smooth skin, etc. without surgery and its associated risks.
How does 4D HIFU work?
The above-mentioned focused ultrasound energy used in HIFU penetrates just below your skin’s surface while causing the tissues to heat up quickly. So, when the cells in these targeted areas hit a certain temperature, they undergo cellular damage.
Hold your horses! This is the same thing that leads to stimulating cells to produce more collagen, which is one of the proteins responsible for offering structure to the skin.
The final result is a much tighter, firmer and strengthened skin with fewer wrinkles.
What happens during 4D HIFU treatment?
If you opt for a 4D HIFU in Bangkok, you’ll experience the following steps.
- A physician/technician cleans the targeted area and applies a topical anaesthetic cream prior to the procedure.
- The doctor will apply the ultrasound gel and place the HIFU device on your skin.
- The doctor will make sure the device’s setting is properly adjusted using an ultrasound viewer.
- Finally, your doctor will apply the ultrasound device across your skin; the device will emit ultrasound energy to the target area with short pulses for about 30 to 90 minutes; Once the procedure is finished, you can go home straight away.
Is 4D HIFU painful?
During the HIFU treatment, you might feel some discomfort which some people describe as a prickly sensation or tiny electric pulses. The discomfort level varies from one patient to another, with most patients being able to tolerate the procedure well.
Some people may experience pain on their face right after the treatment, although this usually dissipates after a few hours. Over the counter pain relievers such as Tylenol may be used to treat the pain if needed.
Although you may experience mild redness or swelling right after the treatment, this will fade away within the next few hours.
How long does it take to see results?
Most people will see about 10-20% of the results immediately after the treatment. Full results will start to show within 1-2 months after your treatment.
According to Healthline.com, studies show that HIFU significantly improved the elasticity on the cheeks, lower abdomen and thighs in 32 Korean people after 12 weeks. Likewise, 66% of 93 people who were treated have seen an improvement in the skin of their face and neck after 90 days.
How many treatments do you need?
People with more loose skin might probably need several treatments to see results. However, most people would only need one, although it purely depends on skin’s laxity, biological response to ultrasound energy and the individual collagen-building rate.
All clients may need to repeat this procedure for 1 to 2 years since the natural ageing process is inevitable.
How much does 4D HIFU cost?
Depending on the size of the targeted area, the cost can range between $495 to $1,650.
Over to you
If you’re willing to stay away from going under the knife and avoid incisions, 4D HIFU might just be your best bet. It’s also significantly less expensive compared to a facelift, and 100% safe skin.
Better yet, it has no major side effects other than a slight tingling sensation, unlike facelifts.
