Pittwater Life July 2017 Issue

Hair & Beauty
High intensity: revival
for skin without a ‘lift’
with Sue Carroll
Putting ageing skin back in
its place without a surgical
facelift is certainly a
possibility today given the
advent of HIFU treatments.
Sagging skin gives us tiredlooking
eyes and distorts
the contours of the face,
particularly at the chin and
neck. High intensity focused
ultrasound – HIFU – lifts and
tightens skin on the face and
body for a non-surgical uplift
of the face and neck and gives
body skin a revival.
HIFU is a high-focused
ultrasound beam that directs
energy to precise points in
the skin to lift and tighten.
Various cartridges are used to
penetrate at different depths
to target collagen. Utilising
ultrasonic energy to penetrate
deep below the skin and fat
layer of the face, gently but
effectively targets connective
tissue. Connective tissue is a
firm, tough layer that supports
the neck and facial contours.
Ageing and the passage of
time cause connective tissue
to droop. HIFU tightens loose
connective tissue, creating
firmness and lifting to areas
of sagging skin.
Good candidates for HIFU
are those with skin that
has relaxed to the point of
looking, and often feeling,
less firm. Typically, those
in their 30s, 40s and older
who have mild to moderate
skin laxity are candidates.
Individual results will vary
based on the degree of laxity
(excess or loose skin), volume
(amount and distribution of
fat), quality (wrinkles or sun
damage), age, health and
lifestyle. The areas that can
be treated include brows, mid
face, neck, décolletage and
body skin.
The HIFU treatment itself
can be uncomfortable and
some people may choose
to take a pain killer prior to
treatment. There is no lasting
pain and the treatment may
Celebrating 25 Years
take as little as 30- to 90
minutes, depending on the
size of the area to be treated.
The discomfort ceases as
soon as the beam is moved to
another area and therefore the
procedure is quite tolerable.
There is no downtime
and normal activities may
be resumed immediately
post-treatment. The skin
may appear red immediately
after the treatment but this
quickly settles. Some people
experience swelling and/or
bruising a day or so posttreatment,
and this can be
alleviated by sleeping on an
elevated pillow.
While individual results will
vary, in the first week there
will be a slight lifting and
plumping of fine lines, with
slight tenderness to the touch
and possible tingling or a
numb sensation. One month
post-treatment there is more
of a slight lift, and a tighter
feeling to the skin. Three to
six months post-treatment
the final result will appear
with additional lifting and
tightening, and “better-fitting”
skin should be noticed with
brow elevation, less sagging,
smoother texture and more
even skin tone. Some people
may need a second treatment
eight to 12 weeks after the
first treatment and then a
periodic treatment once or
twice a year.
It is important to remember
that HIFU is an “uplift” and
not a “facelift”. While it is not
a replacement for surgery, it
is a viable option for those
not ready for a facelift, those
looking to prolong the effects
of cosmetic surgery, and those
who simply want to stay ahead
of the game.
Over time, underlying
changes to the skin tissue result
in lines, wrinkles and sagging
skin. HIFU is considered a
revolutionary, non-invasive
uplifting of the face and body
skin that works to renew
collagen in the skin naturally
from the inside out. When
this procedure is combined
with a healthy lifestyle, a
good homecare skin routine
and possibly used with other
modalities (such as injectables
and laser), the outcome is
nothing short of an amazing – a
refreshed, new you… without a
surgical procedure.
Sue Carroll of Skin
Inspiration writes on
beauty trends and treatments
for Pittwater Life.
She has been a fully qualified
Aesthetician for 33 years.
Sue has owned and
operated successful beauty
clinics and day spas on
the Northern Beaches.
info@skininspiration.com.au
www.skininspiration.com.au
JULY 2017 51
Hair & Beauty