Is HIFU Outdated? No — Modern HIFU Can Treat at Multiple Depths
Every few years, the aesthetics industry introduces a new machine or technology and suddenly established treatments are described as “old”.
We are now seeing this with HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) as newer ultrasound technologies such as Sofwave™ receive considerable attention.
But HIFU is certainly not outdated.
At Body & Face Clinic, our advanced HIFU system gives us a wide choice of treatment depths — 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4.5 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm and 13 mm (1.3 cm).
That versatility is one of the reasons we continue to believe strongly in HIFU.
Not All HIFU Machines Are the Same
This is something that can easily be forgotten when people simply talk about “HIFU”.
There are many different HIFU machines available, with different cartridges, energy delivery and treatment depths.
Our HIFU system allows us to select from:
1.5 mm | 2 mm | 3 mm | 4.5 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm | 9 mm | 13 mm
This means we are not limited to treating at one depth.
Depending on the client's anatomy, treatment area and concerns, we can select appropriate depths for more superficial skin treatments, deeper facial and connective tissues, or deeper body treatments.
HIFU energy passes through the surface of the skin and creates controlled thermal points at a selected depth beneath it. The aim is to trigger a natural healing and collagen response without surgically cutting the skin.
What Makes the Different HIFU Depths Important?
A face isn't one flat layer — and neither is the body.
Skin thickness, fat and underlying tissues vary considerably between the forehead, cheeks, jawline, neck, abdomen, arms, back and thighs.
That is why having multiple treatmentskin tightningultrasound technology depths can be so useful.
Our shallower 1.5 mm and 2 mm options allow us to work more superficially where appropriate.
The 3 mm and 4.5 mm depths allow treatment of deeper facial tissue levels, with 4.5 mm commonly associated with treatment around the deeper fibromuscular/SMAS level in appropriate facial areas.
For body treatments, our 6 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm and 13 mm options allow us to work at substantially greater depths where appropriate.
This ability to select different depths is one of the reasons we believe modern HIFU remains such a versatile technology.
But Isn't Sofwave™ Newer and Therefore Better?
Not necessarily.
Sofwave™ is an ultrasound-based skin treatment that has received a great deal of attention within the aesthetics industry. It uses its own proprietary ultrasound technology and is designed primarily to deliver energy within the mid-dermis, at approximately 1.5 mm depth.
That makes it different from a multi-depth HIFU system.
It doesn't mean that one technology must be “good” and the other “bad”. They simply shouldn't be regarded as identical treatments.
The important question is not:
“Which machine is newer?”
It is:
“At what depth does this treatment work, and is that the right depth for what I want to improve?”
Newer Doesn't Automatically Mean More Advanced for Every Client
Aesthetic machines can cost clinics a considerable amount of money. New technologies also require marketing, promotion and often expensive consumables.
None of those things automatically determine the result a client will achieve.
With HIFU, the quality of the equipment and experience of the practitioner are extremely important.
Understanding facial and body anatomy, selecting an appropriate cartridge and depth, choosing suitable energy settings and knowing where — and where not — to deliver ultrasound all matter.
We have extensive experience working with HIFU at Body & Face Clinic. We don't simply choose one cartridge and perform the same treatment on everyone.
Treatment should be tailored to the individual.
Why Experience With HIFU Matters
HIFU is not simply about putting a handpiece on the skin and delivering as many shots as possible.
Different areas require different consideration.
An experienced practitioner needs to consider skin thickness, tissue depth, facial structure, fat distribution, skin laxity, previous aesthetic treatments and what the client actually wants to achieve.
Using the wrong depth or treating an unsuitable client is not going to produce a better result simply because the machine says “HIFU”.
This is why we believe the practitioner behind the technology matters enormously.
One HIFU System — Face, Neck and Body
Our range of HIFU depths also gives us considerably more flexibility when treating different areas.
Depending on suitability and the treatment plan, HIFU can be considered for areas including the:
Face
Jawline
Double chin
Neck
Décolletage
Upper arms
Abdomen
Waist
Back and bra-line area
Thighs
Other areas of body skin laxity and contouring
We can also combine HIFU with other technologies where appropriate. We don't believe that one machine should be expected to solve every concern.
HIFU Hasn't Become Outdated — The Technology Has Developed
The aesthetics industry loves something new.
But the arrival of a new machine doesn't suddenly make a proven technology redundant.
Modern, multi-depth HIFU gives an experienced practitioner something extremely valuable: choice.
At Body & Face Clinic, our HIFU system offers treatment depths from 1.5 mm right through to 13 mm, enabling us to choose different depths according to the area and the individual client.
So before dismissing HIFU because you've heard about the latest ultrasound treatment, look a little deeper.
Ask which HIFU system is being used, what depths it can treat, who is carrying out the procedure and how much experience they have.
Those questions may be considerably more important than asking which machine is newest.
HIFU Consultations at Body & Face Clinic
If you're considering HIFU for your face, neck or body, book a consultation at Body & Face Clinic, Elkstone Studios, in the Cotswolds between Cheltenham and Cirencester.
We can assess the areas you would like to improve and explain which treatment depths and technologies may be appropriate for you.
HIFU isn't old. In experienced hands, modern multi-depth HIFU remains an exceptionally versatile treatment for the face and body.
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