What is HIFU?

HIFU stands for ‘High Intensity Focused Ultrasound’. The procedure was originally used in urology to treat prostate cancer. Later, this highly effective technology was also discovered by aesthetic medicine.

Because HIFU does not damage the skin surface, requires no scalpel and stimulates only the deep tissue layer, the treatment is gentle and well tolerated.

Lifting down to the SMAS layer

Ultherapy is the first and so far only ultrasound procedure approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for non-surgical lifting of the face, neck and décolletage. It is an alternative for any patient who wishes to avoid the scalpel, laser treatments or injections.

Unlike other methods, high-intensity focused ultrasound acts not only in the dermis but also directly on the uppermost muscle layer beneath the skin (SMAS = superficial muscular aponeurotic system), enabling deep tissue tightening.

ULTRAcel Q+ can also be used on various areas of the body and is excellently suited to body contouring and fat reduction.

Method

ULTRAcel Q+ delivers ultrasound energy deep into the targeted skin layers, down to the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) – the same layer that is normally treated in a surgical facelift. HIFU treatment creates a controlled wound without injuring the skin surface, thereby stimulating new collagen formation and remodelling to support the healing process. Results improve gradually over the 3 months following treatment as the body produces new collagen.

ULTRAcel Q+ high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is an effective non-surgical treatment that promotes neocollagenesis. ULTRAcel Q+ helps to reduce stubborn fat cells and tightens areas of the face and body, with the added benefit of reducing skin redness.

Linear cartridge and transducers

ULTRAcel Q+ differs from other devices in offering a linear cartridge that is unique to the device and provides the fastest treatment time on the market, completing a treatment line in less than 1.5 seconds. Cartridges (transducers) from 1.5 mm to 13 mm allow both tightening and treatment of unwanted fat.

Indications

• ◆Face and brow lift
• ◆Tightening the skin of the neck and décolletage
• ◆Abdomen
• ◆Upper arms
• ◆Buttocks
• ◆Thighs (outer and inner)

Treatment time

Depending on the area, a treatment takes from just a few minutes (e.g. 15 minutes for a brow lift) up to 60 minutes (thigh tightening).

Results

Every skin is different – and so are the results. The results and the number of treatments required depend on the condition of the skin. In most cases a noticeable and visible effect is possible after the first treatment.

The regenerative effect on the collagen fibres lasts about 12–18 months, after which the collagen is broken down again as part of the ageing process. The treatment can be repeated after 3 months at the earliest.

Complications

Focused ultrasound has few side effects. You can resume your normal daily routine after the treatment. Mild redness, tenderness, numbness and swelling may occur in the treated areas but usually subside after a short time. Tenderness and a slight tingling caused by the healing process in the subcutaneous tissue may also persist for several weeks.