When it comes to safety HiFu (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) procedure, it is important to note that the use of young faces in advertisements can create unrealistic expectations and mislead customers about the appropriate age and individual risks. Along with the benefits, consumers should be aware that if HIFU is applied with inappropriate equipment settings or by unqualified persons, adverse reactions may occur.

Who is the HiFu procedure not suitable for?

  • People with thin faces and minimal subcutaneous fat
    HiFu procedures are not the optimal choice for people with thin faces and minimal subcutaneous fat. The technology penetrates the deep layers of the skin to cause the tightening effect. This process can lead to excessive retraction of an already thin face, making it look more pointed and exhausted. Instead of the desired rejuvenating effect, the result can be a loss of volume and a lack of natural softness.
  • People with sensitive skin
    People with sensitive or problematic skin are at higher risk of side effects. The risk increases when the device settings are not tailored to the individual characteristics of the skin. Therefore, professional assessment and a personalized approach are key.
  • People with certain medical conditions
    Individuals with autoimmune diseases or cardiovascular problems should be very careful. Although HiFu is offered as a non-invasive method, some health conditions require further investigation and consultation with a specialist before choosing this procedure.
  • Young women with no visible signs of aging
    Many advertisements present HiFu procedures as suitable for all ages, but this is not the case. Unjustified application can lead to costs and risks without visible results.

Possible long-term effects of HiFu procedures

  • Depletion of collagen reproduction resources
    Collagen is a major structural protein in the human body that provides elasticity and strength to the skin. Over time, the body's ability to produce collagen naturally decreases. There comes a point where repeated stimulation through HiFu can lead to an overload of the natural mechanism for the reproduction of collagenThis suggests that the effects of the procedures may become less pronounced over time.
  • Overstimulation
    Although short-term results are positive, excessive stimulation can lead to tissue damage and skin deterioration. Biologically, the body has certain limits to its regenerative capacity. Frequent use of high-intensity ultrasound waves can disrupt the natural balance and cause side effects.
  • While HiFu is an extremely popular method for stimulating collagen, there are some risks associated with long-term use. These predictions are still being investigated, and there are currently no long-term studies. Rather, research is focused on optimizing the procedures and minimizing side effects.
    For now, it is advisable to apply HiFu at reasonable intervals, taking into account the individual characteristics of the skin and its capacity for regeneration.

Safety

Machines and professionalism

Minimizing the risk of errors when applying HiFu The effectiveness of the therapies depends on two main factors: The quality of the devices used and the experience of the dermatologist or cosmetologist who performs the procedure.
There are both certified professional devices on the market with proven effectiveness (e.g. Ulthera, Ultraformer), as well as those of questionable quality. It is difficult for customers to assess whether a device meets all the standards (FDA/CE certificates), because the appearance and promises of results do not guarantee the real quality of the technology.
The manufacturers of HIFu devices offer formal certification programs that familiarize specialists with the correct settings, application techniques, and possible contraindications. A practiced but unfavorable option is remote self-training through manuals and video tutorials provided by the manufacturer. This poses serious risks because there is no practical supervision.
Training is also provided by certified training centers or official distributors according to local regulations. However, it is important to check whether these trainings are adequate and correspond to the specific model of device that will be used by the therapist.

When is HiFu useful and what is the difference between Ultherapy & Ultraformer find out in the video

hifu-therapy-video

Analysis:

A systematic meta-analysis covering 17 clinical trials in 477 patients concluded that HIFU is safe procedure in the short term with moderate effect on face and neck rejuvenation pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

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