New technologies provide clients with minimally invasive options for skin tightening and lifting of sagging skin, without having to resort to cosmetic surgery.
HIFU
What is it?
HIFU (also known as High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is a technique of skin tightening and lifting using focused ultrasound pulses that penetrate deep into the dermal layer of the skin. These high energy pulses cause a tightening of existing collagen bundles and also stimulate new collagen formation. This treatment is commonly known as a non-surgical facelift.
HIFU is a new-generation skin tightening treatment that is rapidly gaining in popularity as it is non-invasive and there is no downtime. HIFU is based on the same technology as Ulthera (Ultherapy) which is considered the gold standard in skin tightening treatments on the face and neck and is a favourite of Hollywood celebrities. The new-generation HIFU is much less painful and less expensive than previous treatments with the same technology.
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What conditions is it used for?
HIFU is ideal for those who have sagging skin but don’t want to go under the knife, or who want to delay having a face lift for a few years. Although unable to give the same results as a face lift, many people opt for a HIFU treatment rather than have a face lift.
All skin types can be safely treated. A HIFU treatment will not prevent you from having a facelift at a later stage
What does a treatment entail?
The treatment area will be cleansed, examined, documented, and photographed. A topical anaesthetic is applied for approximately 45 minutes, and then removed. A thin layer of gel is applied to the treatment area and the HIFU handpiece is applied to the skin where it releases a burst of pulses that penetrate 4,5 mm down to the dermal layer of your skin. The entire area is treated in a systemic manner, and then re-treated at a more superficial depth. Afterwards, a soothing lotion will be applied.
Is there pain and downtime?
The treatment may be mildly uncomfortable in certain areas. It will feel like a dull needle prick deep in the skin but only lasts for a second and then disappears.
There is absolutely no down time with a HIFU treatment. Afterwards, you may have mild redness which settles quickly and minimal swelling for a day or two, but it will not be noticeable to others.
When can I expect to see results?
The micro injuries caused by a HIFU treatment deep in your dermal layer will heal with new collagen formation. Collagen fibers takes about 30 days to form and then gradually re-organise over a few months, causing tightening and lifting in the area. You can expect to see results in 4-6 months, which may improve for up to a year after treatment.
How many treatments do I need and how often?
Results from a treatment usually last for 2-3 years but this is obviously influenced by your individual genetic aging process and environmental factors which accelerate collagen break down, such as smoking, diet, and sun exposure.
Some patients like the results so much that they do a treatment once a year. Others return for smaller, top up treatments every 6-12 months.
Recommended Supplements:
Taking an oral collagen supplement may help you get better results. Your treating practitioner is able to advise on optimal skin care.
HIFU is used to treat:
- Jowls
- Sagging jawline
- Wrinkled and crepey necks
- Sleep lines and thin skin on the decolletage
- Lines around the eyes
- Lines around the mouth
- Heavy eyelids
- Sagging skin in other parts of the body can also be treated, eg inner arms, inner thighs, above the knees, and abdomens.
Secret RF
What is it?
SECRET RF combines the benefits of skin needling (collagen induction therapy) and radio frequency, SECRET RF has been described as a skin needling treatment on steroids. Tiny needles penetrate the skin and radio frequency energy is released deep into the tissue. Existing collagen bundles are tightened and new collagen formation is stimulated.
Because the energy doesn’t affect the surface of the skin, this treatment is safe and effective in all skin types, including skin types 5 and 6 (very dark skins). This treatment has taken the aesthetics industry by storm and we are proud to be able to offer it at our clinic.
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What conditions is it used for?
Any area that has loose, crepey skin will benefit from a SECRET RF treatment. We are using it extensively for skin tightening on the neck, face, arms, and abdomen.
It can also be used to treat acne scarring, stretch marks, crepey under-eye skin, and to melt the fat and tighten the skin of a double chin.
What does a treatment entail?
The treatment area will be cleansed, and a topical anaesthetic will be applied to numb the area prior to treatment. The SECRET RF head is applied to the skin, and the tiny needles penetrate and release radio frequency energy under the surface. The head is then lifted and placed on the next area and the process is repeated. Each area is treated like this in a grid-like pattern.
Is there pain and downtime?
The tiny pricks of the needles and the release of energy will be felt but the use of a topical anaesthetic beforehand makes this treatment only mildly uncomfortable.
Afterwards the area will be red and feel slightly warm and there is likely to be mild swelling. This lasts 1-5 days and depends on the intensity of the treatment and the area being treated.
When can I expect to see results?
Some patients see results after a single treatment, but most need a series of three treatments before they start seeing results.
Results improve for a few weeks after your treatment as the new collagen matures and tightens. Results can last anywhere between 1-5 years depending on your age, genetics, and lifestyle factors.
