HIFU Lifting

How it works

A handpiece sends focused ultrasound energy to small points under the skin, where the tissue warms enough to start a repair response. Some systems show the layers on a screen while they work, and others use a fixed depth cartridge. The doctor chooses depth cartridges and the number of lines or shots for each region. Cost tends to follow how many shots are delivered, how many regions are covered and which device family is used. Results build over about two to three months and vary by person.

Who it may suit

• Mild to moderate looseness along the jawline or cheeks in people who are not ready for surgery
• People who want a one-visit plan that can be repeated after many months
• Adults who accept a modest, gradual change rather than a dramatic one
• Anyone who wants to compare quotes by shots per region instead of by session name

The treatment day

1. Consultation and mapping. The doctor examines skin thickness, fat pads and laxity, then decides which regions are worth treating and with how many shots.
2. Numbing and marking. Numbing cream is usually applied first. Cream and any oral medication are separate lines on many quotes.
3. Energy delivery. The handpiece is moved in lines across the marked zones. Shot totals are counted and should match the figure on your estimate.
4. Review before leaving. Staff check for redness or swelling and note the shot count delivered, which is useful when you plan a repeat visit.

Aftercare

• Mild redness or swelling can settle within a day or two
• Avoid hot saunas and intense facial massage for several days if advised
• Use sunscreen daily
• Keep a record of the device name and shot count for your next visit
• Report lasting numbness, a firm lump or skin changes to the clinic

Things to know first

• Temporary tenderness, bruising or nerve-related tingling can occur; rare cases of longer numbness or burns are reported
• Not usually advised during pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Metal implants, active infection or open wounds in the area may rule it out
• Heavy skin laxity or large fat pads may respond poorly, and a different procedure may be discussed
• Results vary by person and do not stop ageing

What the price of HIFU lifting depends on

The headline unit is the shot. A quote might say a total number of shots across the face and neck, or a number per region. A clinic that lists only a package name leaves out the denominator, so ask how many shots are included and how they are split between the lower face, cheeks, brow and neck.

Device generation and cartridge type also change the total. Newer systems with imaging, or those with several depth cartridges, are often priced higher than older single-depth units, and the doctor may suggest a mix of depths. Ask which device family and which cartridges are planned so you can compare like with like.

Extras to look for on an itemized quote: numbing cream, the consultation fee, tax, and any soothing or aftercare products. Booking several regions together may lower the per-shot figure but raises the commitment. Because the effect is gradual, many people repeat once or twice a year, so think in yearly terms rather than per visit.