HIFU Or Surgical Facelift
HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is one of few non-surgical facelift treatments targeting the deep SMAS layer of the skin previously only accessible via surgery. Which is better, HIFU or Surgical Facelift? Can you avoid surgery? What are the pros and cons?
Surgical Facelift
A surgical Facelift is usually treated as an outpatient process. The surgeon uses local or general anaesthesia, and the procedure takes 1-5 hours or longer. During the procedure, the surgeon cuts the skin behind the ear, extending up into the hairline and scalp. Then the surgeon lifts the skin of the SMAS layer and gently pulls the skin upward, removing excess facial skin. A surgical Facelift has a dramatic effect and lasts about 5 – 10 years. The downside of surgical facelifts includes a long recovery time, a high cost of around £10,000-£30,000 and the risk of complications, as these are higher in surgical procedures.
HIFU Non-surgical Facelift
HIFU uses Focused Ultrasound energy to target all layers of the skin, including the SMAS Layer, to stimulate collagen and elastin production, lifting, firming and tightening the skin and giving a more defined jawline. This effect works gradually over the following three months while your collagen is renewed. There is also virtually no downtime, giving you a natural-looking facelift that lasts 12-18 months. The Cost of a Full Face & Neck HIFU is around £700-£2000.
HIFU Vs Surgical Facelift
If you have a busy lifestyle and don’t want any downtime or time off work, a HIFU treatment is ideal, giving you a natural facelift for saggy and ageing skin. A HIFU treatment using Our Focus Dual is more comfortable than older technologies and has virtually little to no downtime. On the other hand, a surgical Facelift is ideal if you want a dramatic face lifting effect and can allow you significant time to heal. You also need to fully understand the risks and complications as this is a surgical procedure.
