HIFU What is it?
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a medical technique that employs ultrasound waves to treat specific medical conditions such as tumors, uterine fibroids, and tremors. By focusing strong and accurate sound waves on specific tissues in the body, HIFU can modify or remove them effectively.
Advantages of HIFU
HIFU provides various advantages when compared to other treatment options.
- Traditional surgery is not necessary.
- Patients do not face any risks from radiation.
- Its main concentration is on the impacted region, without causing any damage to the nearby healthy tissue.
- The body’s response is less severe compared to surgery or radiation therapy.
- Patients can undergo the procedure without needing to stay in the hospital overnight and experience a fast recovery. Numerous individuals are capable of returning to their normal daily routines within a day.
Who can have HIFU?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that HIFU should only be used for prostate cancer in specialized facilities or as part of research projects. NICE is an independent organization that provides guidance to the NHS in order to improve healthcare.
If you are diagnosed with cancer, your doctor might recommend HIFU as a possible treatment.
- Prostate cancer is located inside the prostate gland and is confined to this particular region.
- In the beginning stages, the cancer is starting to break through the protective barrier surrounding the prostate, suggesting that locally advanced prostate cancer is present.
- Has previously come back after undergoing medical care. This particular treatment is a final attempt.
If your cancer has spread to other parts of your body, like advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, then you do not qualify for HIFU treatment.
You might have HIFU treatment to either:
- The complete prostate gland is encompassed in this phrase. This pertains to the entirety of the HIFU procedure for the prostate.
- focusing on specific areas within the prostate gland using a technique called focal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).
HIFU facial
HIFU uses targeted ultrasound energy to specifically treat the skin layers situated directly beneath the surface. This ultrasound energy efficiently heats the tissue, causing rapid effects.
When the cells in a particular area reach a specific temperature, they sustain damage. Despite seeming contradictory, this damage actually stimulates the cells to produce more collagen, a protein responsible for maintaining the skin’s structure.
An increase in collagen leads to the attainment of tighter and firmer skin.
The high-frequency ultrasound beams aim at a specific tissue area underneath the skin surface, leaving the upper layers of the skin and nearby tissue unharmed and with fewer wrinkles.
HIFU may not be suitable for everyone. Generally, this treatment works best for people who are 30 years old or older and have mild to moderate skin looseness.
People who have skin damage from the sun or a lot of loose skin may need multiple sessions to see significant improvements.
Elderly individuals with noticeable signs of aging in their pictures, like pronounced skin sagging or looseness around the neck, may not be ideal candidates and may need to undergo surgery.
Individuals with infections and open sores in the specified region, intense or cystic acne, and metallic implants in the area being treated should refrain from choosing HIFU.
What are the uses of HIFU in facial procedures?
The HIFU facial treatment serves as a non-surgical alternative to a facelift. It firms and lifts the skin, minimizing wrinkles and fine lines, shrinking pores, and targeting the formation of jowl lines and the “V” line. Moreover, HIFU improves the overall complexion, including texture, luminosity, and flexibility of the skin.
It is possible to use it to target specific parts of the face, such as the neck, jawline, and brow, in order to enhance the overall appearance of the face and achieve a more youthful appearance. Additionally, HIFU treatments can be a suitable option for those who want to improve their looks without undergoing extensive surgical procedures or incisions.
Plastic surgeons usually use a knife to pull and tighten the SMAS layer during surgery, but HIFU offers a non-invasive way to target it. This new procedure allows patients to get a facelift without needing any time to recover. HIFU avoids the typical risks of surgery, like infections, scars, and swelling, by not requiring surgical incisions. The treatment is fast, and some people may see immediate results based on their skin’s elasticity.
What happens during a HIFU procedure?
The way you receive HIFU treatment will depend on your healthcare provider’s specific intention for using it. To know what to expect, it is recommended to discuss with your healthcare team and ask relevant questions for clarification.
Usually, a HIFU procedure generally involves the subsequent steps:
You can either recline on an examination table or sit on an examination chair.
The healthcare provider may use a device to stabilize the particular area of the tissue that is being focused on. For example, they might use a device to keep the breast tissue from moving or use a head frame to keep your head still during tremor treatment.
The choice of sedation or anesthesia method for the procedure can differ depending on the situation, ranging from being fully conscious to mildly sedated or completely under the effects of general anesthesia.
The service provider will accurately identify the precise location of the targeted tissue using ultrasound or MRI scans.
In order to treat the targeted tissue, the HIFU probe’s top section will be positioned directly over or on it. Usually, the probe will be placed on the skin or slightly above it. Nevertheless, when treating prostate cancer, a medical expert will insert a probe, comparable in size to your index finger, into the rectum.
A small amount of the substance will be given specifically to the precise area of the tissue that is being aimed at.
If necessary, they will adjust the intensity of the ultrasound waves according to the thickness of the tissue.
Short bursts of ultrasonic waves will be emitted into the tissue.
In order to confirm the successful removal of the particular tissue, they will utilize a imaging examination.
Usually, HIFU treatment requires only a single session or procedure.
What are the benefits of using Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for Face Rejuvenation?
- Focus Ultrasound provides several advantages for patients and does not necessitate invasive surgery, in contrast to other procedures.
- The FDA has given approval to this technique, and its efficacy has been validated through clinical studies.
- This method can be relied upon and offers a pleasant and enjoyable encounter.
- There is no requirement for anesthesia, and the procedure is completely painless.
- Patients can return to their employment and participate in their normal social interactions after the procedure.
- This treatment can be applied in a single session, and its positive effects can last for around 24 months.
- The treatment works well on different layers of the skin and structures of the face using three cartridges of varying depths – 1.5mm, 3mm, and 4.5mm.
- The skin is unharmed and unaffected by this, as it doesn’t cause scarring, alterations in skin tone, or any risk of infection.
What is the recovery time for HIFU?
Each person is unique, and the use of HIFU in medical treatment varies for each individual. In general, HIFU typically results in a quicker healing time compared to other, more invasive treatment methods.
Your healthcare team will provide you with information about what to expect and how long it may take to recover after your HIFU procedure.
Having High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in Turkey?
The patient must carefully search for an appropriate service provider, have information, and ask about the surgeon and his experience. And also, checking examples of his previous operations.
Accordingly, we encourage you to contact the Health & Beauty to obtain all information and details, and to ensure that you have your operation done by the hands of the most skilled doctors working in this specialty.