Older, wiser, more experienced and more confident…Getting older comes with its perks, however, unfortunately as we get older and wiser, our skin also does some maturing. Inevitably our skin starts to sag as we become older, losing it’s suppleness and firmness. It is a fact of life and a completely normal part of the ageing process, BUT… thanks to significant improvements in medical technology, there are now ways to avoid it.
Whilst we can hide away our loose skin in some areas, other areas are unavoidably visible – There is simply nowhere to hide when it comes to the face, which is why skin tightening and lifting are so popular for this area of the body. There are two major options: High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatments and surgical facelifts.
Which is superior? The solution isn’t as easy to come up with. You must first grasp how the two ways vary and balance the benefits and drawbacks.
This blog delves into everything face lifting and tightening to help you make an informed decision.
The Surgical Facelift
A surgical facelift is a cosmetic treatment in which a surgeon adjusts and removes sections of the skin and muscle tissue in the face and neck to make the face seem younger. The patient is given a general anaesthesia to keep any pain at bay throughout the treatment. It was invented in the early twentieth century and has improved significantly since the early days.
Among the benefits are:
- The outcome is long-lasting.
- The results are measurable and immediate.
- It can work well for cases where there is extreme skin laxity and sagging.
The following are some disadvantages:
- Having surgery always carries a risk both during the procedure and the risk of infection or complications afterward.
- Recovery can be painful, difficult and necessitate significant downtime.
- There is a chance of sustaining medical problems and scarring.
- The end outcome may not appear natural.
- Surgical treatments are costly, with prices typically ranging from $20,000 to 30,000 for a complete face lift.
The HIFU Non-Surgical Facelift
HIFU therapy was created a little more than a decade ago. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive and painless alternative to face lifts as a cosmetic procedure for skin tightening. The actual therapy comprises employing ultrasonic energy or laser beams to stimulate the creation of natural collagen in the body, which tightens and creates new suppleness of the skin around the face.
Background Information
Surprisingly, HIFU first gained popularity for its application in tumour treatment. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later authorised HIFU for brow lifts in 2009. The FDA additionally approved the device in 2014 to treat lines and wrinkles on the upper chest and neckline (décolletage). Several minor clinical investigations have since confirmed HIFU to be safe and effective for face lifting and wrinkle reduction. People saw improvement after a few months of therapy, without the dangers associated with surgery.
Benefits of HIFU Non-surgical facelift:
- Makes the most of your body's natural resources, such as natural collagen, to obtain the desired effect.
- You won't have to take time off to recover since you won't have to go under the knife.
- The end product appears to be an upgraded version of your natural self.
- No scars, bruising or needles.
- Results are immediately visible, but unlike a surgical facelift, will also gradually continue to improve over 3-6 months, meaning people are less likely to think you’ve had “work done”.
- The cost is substantially less than that of a surgical face lift.
- To keep it up, you may need to return every few years as the aging process progesses.
- HIFU may not be suitable for everyone. In general, those over the age of 30 with mild-to-moderate skin laxity benefit the most from the treatment.
Choosing What Works Best for You
When all is said and done, the benefits of a non-surgical facelift over a surgical facelift are many and varied. There is no incision, no scars, and no rest or recuperation time necessary. HIFU is also far less costly than a facelift. So, in comparison to a surgical face lift, HIFU is a fantastic alternative if you want a treatment that is quick, painless, and non invasive.
To discover more about HIFU treatments in Sydney, contact Slimming and Beauty Clinic.
