HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is a popular non-surgical skin tightening treatment that stimulates collagen production to lift and firm the skin naturally. One of the biggest advantages of HIFU is that its results can last for many months, making it an excellent option for people looking to maintain a youthful appearance without surgery. But as you grow older, the production of collagen naturally decreases, and the aging process goes on post-treatment. As a result, the improvements from HIFU gradually become less noticeable, and many people wonder when they should schedule another session. Therefore, it’s better to look for early signs in the skin that it needs maintenance rather than waiting for significant skin laxity to develop.
If you’re wondering when to get your next HIFU facial treatment, here are some common signs to look out for.
Your Skin Doesn’t Feel as Firm as It Used To
A decrease in skin firmness is one of the initial indicators that you might need HIFU treatments. Many patients find their skin feel tighter and firmer soon after treatment because of the production of additional collagen. However, as the months go by, this effect naturally starts to wear out. As a result, you might notice your cheeks, lower face, or neck are not as firm as they used to be. This alteration typically occurs overtime and can be quite hard to notice until you compare your current pictures with old ones. A maintenance HIFU treatment may help stimulate new collagen before the skin laxity becomes obvious. Remember, the sooner the firmness is improved, the better and more natural the results will be, as compared to treating areas where the skin has sagged considerably.
Jawline Begins to Lose Shape
One of the most noticeable improvements that several people notice after HIFU treatment is a well-defined jawline. HIFU can tighten the skin and stimulate the collagen underneath the skin to give a more sculpted lower face area. However, if you have noticed a more relaxed appearance in your jawline or there’s a slight return of mild jowls, it may be a sign that the additional production of collagen in your previous session has begun to diminish over time. This is a natural part of the aging process but can be whittled away with a maintenance treatment.
You Can See More Visible Fine Lines and Wrinkles
While more popular for its lifting and tightening effect on the skin, production of collagen can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Therefore, if you have seen expression lines around your forehead, eyes, or mouth start to appear again after months of improvement, it could be a sign that collagen levels have begun to decrease again. However, this doesn’t mean that your previous HIFU treatment has failed but it’s simply the normal human aging process.
At this point, another HIFU treatment could stimulate skin to regenerate collagen, leading to a tighter and smoother complexion. It’s important to treat changes that occur early; otherwise, wrinkles are likely to get deeper and more entrenched. By maintaining your skin regularly, you’ll be able to keep your skin looking smooth and healthy in the long run without making drastic changes to your face.
It’s Been 12 to 18 Months Since Your Last Treatment
Depending on each individual’s age, skin quality, lifestyle, and the amount of sun exposure, every person’s skin ages differently. But, generally the effects of HIFU last for 12-18 months. Even if your skin does not appear to have changed much after a year since the last treatment, it is advisable to still evaluate your skin. Many dermatologists and experts recommend that you get maintenance treatments prior to when your collagen levels get too low to ensure a more consistent result. A prolonged delay might exacerbate the laxity in the skin, which may necessitate more treatments to obtain the same result. Regular checkups with your dermatologist will give them the opportunity to check on your skin’s condition and suggest an appropriate time to attend your next appointment. After all, it’s always easier to do preventive maintenance than undergo severe treatments to deal with skin laxity.
Changes in Skin Due to Weight Loss or Lifestyle Changes
A number of factors including significant weight loss, prolonged stress, poor sleep, smoking or excessive sun exposure can impact skin elasticity. These factors can speed up the collagen depletion and contribute to a looser than expected skin appearance, even if the body responded well to the initial HIFU treatment. In particular, if you have lost weight, you might see a loss in volume in the face, which means that the skin can sag more around the cheeks and jawline.
Thus, another HIFU session could be beneficial if you’ve made significant changes in your lifestyle or your body since the procedure. Having a healthy skincare regimen, applying sunscreen every day, drinking enough water and a balanced diet can also help preserve your results. With proper lifestyle and timely maintenance treatments, your skin will have the best chance of staying firm, soft and young.