ULTHERAPY VS HIFU: WHAT are the DIFFERENCES?
Introduction
Ageing is one of the extremely common problems faced by people of this era. Besides the increased health issues, ageing is the root cause of skin sagging and drooping, which concerns most people especially if they are linked with the entertainment or fashion industry. Nowadays, people start to age when they reach their 30s. This is usually the age when they have just started to excel in their careers. (Hkeik, 2016)
Many have gone through several invasive and non-invasive procedures to deal with this problem, in the hope of looking as young as ever. From the application of cremes to going under the knife, several solutions are available in the market. Many have opted the laser procedures as well to deal with the problem.
Nevertheless, either the treatment was not effective enough to do the job or was way too expensive to be afforded by commoners. Since 2015, the treatment of Ultherapy or micro-focused ultrasound (MFU) was introduced as a safe and effective means of treating the problem of skin sagging.
At AI Beauty Clinic, we provide you with Ultherapy which is one of the safest and non-invasive means to lift the skin areas of the neck, brows, chin, and the area below the neck-line. The treatment helps to uplift the skin and improves the wrinkles lines by using the micro-focused ultrasound. However, many patients are concerned about the type of ultrasound treatment to be used, to get rid of skin sagging problems.
Therefore, we will discuss in detail the two main types of ultrasound treatments and you can decide the type of treatment to choose for yourself.
Who is the Best Candidate?
Those who want to opt for non-surgical and non-invasive treatments to treat their skin from drooping as they age! At AI Beauty Clinic we suggest people with loosened skin under the chin and neck or the brows to opt for the skin-tightening treatment. Moreover, people who want to get rid of the fine lines and wrinkles just below the neck area, without wanting any side effects, are recommended to opt for Ultherapy.
The Skin-uplifting Treatments: MFU and HIFU
Microfocused ultrasound (MFU), or Ultherapy, and High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) are both non-invasive treatments that tighten sagged skin and help rejuvenate it. In either of the treatments, thermal energy is delivered to the skin’s layers i.e., dermis and the layers beneath it (subdermal layers). (GHANI, 2019)
The two skin proteins (collagen and elastin) build the connective tissues present in the skin. The firmness and elasticity of the skin are maintained by the presence of these proteins. However, these proteins tend to decline when people start to age. Therefore, this causes the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. The skin becomes loosened and sagged.
The thermal energy used by the treatments, helps our bodies to reproduce these proteins. (Birch, 2018)
Therefore, once these proteins are restored into our skins, our skin starts to look young and rejuvenated. The person undergoing either of these treatments starts to feel younger than ever.
What are the Differences Between HIFU and Ultherapy?
Although both the treatments use ultrasound beams for treating sagged skin, there are a few differences that would ultimately make one of the treatments better than the other. The first major difference is the types of beams used. Secondly, Ultherapy uses real-time imaging in the treatment, therefore, the treatment is being visualized.
To clear any ambiguities among our patients, we have further discussed the differences between these two treatments, in detail.
● Difference of Beams
Both the methods use the same amount of heat i.e., 60°C to 70°C, to stimulate the body for making collagen. The purpose of heat delivery is to disrupt the skin tissues and to trigger the body to start a repair procedure in which new elastin and collagen proteins are produced. However, different beams are generated in each treatment. MFU beams are focused on a particular skin layer but the beams of HIFU are multiple and can hit fat tissues and bone as well.
● Real-time Visualization
The deepSEE visualization guides the technicians doing the Ultherapy process. This helps the technician to focus on those areas of the skin that have been depleted with collagen. Therefore, safe and precise skin treatment is with the help of this technology. On the other hand, this technology is not present in HIFU and thus, these beams can reach the bone or blood vessels of the body and can cause damage in the area. Therefore, Ultherapy does not cause any sort of discomfort or fat loss.
● Body Areas for Treatment
Another main difference is the treatment of different body areas by each technology. Ultherapy is FDA approved to treat areas of the chin, brow, neck and to improve chest lines and wrinkles. Whereas, many of the machines of HIFU have not been approved by FDA and therefore this technology cannot treat a wider range of body areas. Therefore, Ultherapy is considered a reliable source for the tightening of the skin.
● Results: Ultherapy vs HIFU
The results from either of the treatments do not show up overnight. It takes around 2 to 3 months for the results to start showing. This is because the elastin and collagen proteins take time to reproduce in the skin. Moreover, the results from either of the treatments won’t last forever. The treatment results are temporary and last from 6-18 months.
Nevertheless, Ultherapy was introduced before HIFU and is the most reliable anti-ageing and skin enhancement technology. Many cosmetic specialists and practitioners consider Ultherapy as the best treatment to tighten the skin with minimal side effects or discomfort.
Interestingly, celebrities such as Christie Brinkley, Paulina Porizkova, Venessa Williams, and Christie Brinkley have been using Ultherapy for their face-lifts. They have been known as ever-green actors as they have not been seen as “aged-people”. This is because of the skin-tightening treatments they have been getting to look still look as young and youthful as before.
“I tried Ultherapy, which produces collagen, and I’m about to do Fraxel, which will get rid of brown spots on my chest and face,” said Courtney Cox, the famous FRIENDS TV star.
| MFU (ULTHERAPY) | HIFU |
|---|---|
| Utilizes Microfocused Ultrasound beams | Uses high intensity focused ultrasound beams |
| Ultherapy covers only one line at a time (1 mm width) | Covers the treatment area 10 lines simultaneously (treatment width of 10 mm) |
| Used for skin tightening | Mainly used for medical practices |
| Beams do not target bones, muscles, fat cells, or blood vessels. | Beams do target bones, muscles, fat cells, or blood vessels. |
| FDA Approval in 2004 | FDA Approval in 2009 |
| Uses Imaging technology | Does not utilize imaging technology |
| Ultrasound energy to the same skin depths | Applied to a depth of between 1.5 and 4.5mm beneath the skin |
Which of these Two Treatments is Better?
Considering the above-described differences in detail, we can surely suggest you go for Ultherapy instead of HIFU for skin-tightening treatment. This is because it is safer, reliable, and effective than the HIFU treatment. At AI Beauty Clinic, we are offering the safer treatment of Ultherapy to make you look younger than ever before. Use our services of Ultherapy to get results that are not just reliable but will also last longer.
AI Beauty Clinic considers the safety of our clients as the first and foremost priority. We would strongly suggest you to avail our Ultherapy skin tightening services for healthier and younger-looking skin. We have the best esthetic practitioners’ team from all over the world to provide you with the best consultation and treatments regarding Ultherapy. We focus on achieving the best results for the ultimate satisfaction of our clients.
References
Birch, H. L. (2018). Extracellular Matrix and Ageing. In Harris, & Korolchuk, Biochemistry (pp. 169-190). Mainz, Germany: Springer.
GHANI, S. (2019). Review of non-invasive and minimally. Jounral of Aesthetic Nursing, 26-33.
Hkeik, J. (2016). Ageing gracefully. Professional Beauty, 76-77.
The table below summarizes the major differences between HIFU and Ultherapy.
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