Sound advice

Dr Vikas Sharma

In the current era, there has been an increasing public concern about facial wrinkles and loss of elasticity due to aging. In response to this problem, various treatments, including chemical peeling, microdermabrasion, fractional laser, and radiofrequency, have been proposed for the treatment of facial wrinkles and laxity.

Recently, ultrasound is introduced as a new treatment for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is the best example of this technique. HIFU was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2009 for use in brow lifting. Currently, it is being used for facial rejuvenation, lifting, tightening, and body contouring. The principle of HIFU is to induce cellular damage and volume reduction of the target area selectively by means of coagulation by generating instant microthermal lesions through the accumulation of high-frequency ultrasound beams at the specific tissue site without any damage to the epidermis and adjacent issue.

The new tech on block

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a new cosmetic treatment for skin tightening that is noninvasive and painless replacement for face lifts. It uses ultrasound energy to encourage the production of collagen, which results in firmer skin.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has become one of the most popular noninvasive technologies for skin tightening and face lifting.

How it works

HIFU induces cellular damage and volume reduction in the treatment area. Delivered noninvasively, HIFU energy causes micro-coagulation zones from the deep dermis to the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS. This tightens skin by contracting and remodeling collagen.

Focused ultrasound is superior to other pre-existing skin tightening technologies because of its capability to reach deeper tissues.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment has recently emerged in response to the increasing demand for noninvasive procedures for skin lifting.

Officially high-tech

Both intrinsic and extrinsic aging processes contribute to aesthetic changes. Advances in the understanding of skin biology have led to the development of a number of tech-nologies for rejuvenating the skin. Current treatment modalities include ablative and non-ablative lasers, radio frequency devices, and ultrasound devices. Recently, HIFU treatment has received proper medical attention as a ‘high-tech’ way to improve wrinkles and skin laxity. This technique combines direct ultrasound visualisation of targeted tissue with the noninvasive delivery of focused ultrasound energy. Precise microcoagulation zones from the deep dermis to the superficial musculoaponeurotic system have been demonstrated. These zones cause gradual tightening through collagen contraction and remodeling. HIFU could also be used safely and effectively to improve the skin texture and contour of the upper arms, extensor knees, and medial thighs. HIFU not only helps in facial lifting and improvement of wrinkles but also in improvements in skin tone, facial contour, and subjective symptoms such as tightness or tension on the skin.

(Dr Sharma is a Chandigarh-based dermatologist)