Skin Care
Are your clients looking for more than creams to soften early signs of aging? Do they ask about tightening sagging skin but worry about cost, downtime, or risks? If so, it may be time to learn about ultrasound facials.
Although “ultrasound” often brings pregnancy scans to mind, non-invasive ultrasound facials are getting attention for stimulating collagen and improving loose skin. With no recovery time, no scarring, and lower cost than surgery, they can be a good alternative to a facelift. Read on to see why an ultrasound facial might be right for your clients.
Table of Contents
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What is an ultrasound facial?
How do they work?
The procedure
What should clients expect?
Who benefits and who should avoid them?
What is an ultrasound facial?
Ultrasound facials, also called high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), treat sagging skin around the eyes, brows, jowls, neck, and chin. It’s a non-invasive treatment that uses focused energy to reach deep skin layers. HIFU is well suited for soft, crepey skin and for reducing fine lines.
How do ultrasound facials work?
After prepping the area, a trained professional places a handheld HIFU device on the skin. When turned on, the device sends concentrated heat and energy to a precise point deep under the skin—usually between 4.5mm and 5mm. Skipping the top skin layers to reach these deeper layers is important because collagen production happens there.
The heat causes controlled cellular damage in those deep layers, which triggers the body’s healing process. That response boosts collagen and elastin production. Over the next two to three months, as new collagen forms, the skin should thicken and tighten.
Benefits reported by experts include:
– Smoother facial wrinkles and fewer fine lines
– Better skin elasticity
– Improved neck and facial skin
– Reduced appearance of jowls and firmer skin under the jaw
– Lifted drooping eyelids or brows
– Tighter skin on the chest
The procedure
A typical HIFU session follows these steps:
– Clean the treatment area.
– If needed, apply a topical anesthetic.
– Put ultrasound gel on the skin.
– Place the HIFU device against the skin.
– Set the device using an ultrasound viewer.
– Deliver short pulses of ultrasound energy to the target area for about 30 to 90 minutes.
– Remove the device.
Most people don’t find it painful, but some feel slight discomfort—like tiny electric pulses, brief bursts of heat, or a light prickling. Sessions usually last 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the area and machine.
What results should clients expect?
A small lift can be seen soon after treatment, but full results appear in three to six months while the body builds new collagen. Expect plumper skin, fewer wrinkles, and less crepiness. Results often last from about a year to 18 months.
Most clients need only one session for good results, though some with more lax skin may benefit from a second treatment.
Before the treatment
Clients should come with a clean face—no makeup or moisturizer. The area will be cleaned before treatment. If a client is sensitive to pain, they might discuss taking acetaminophen or an NSAID like ibuprofen with their doctor.
After the treatment
One major advantage is no downtime—clients can resume normal activities right away. They may have redness or swelling the day of treatment and tingling in the weeks after. Rarely, people may experience numbness or bruising, which usually resolves in a few days.
Clients should seek professional advice if they notice:
– Redness lasting more than one day
– Persistent tenderness or swelling lasting more than a month
– Skin bleeding under the surface for a few weeks
– Scratch-like marks on the skin
Who benefits and who should avoid it?
HIFU works best for younger clients with mild to moderate skin laxity who want to reduce early signs of aging. It’s a good non-surgical alternative to a facelift for those who want to avoid the risks and recovery of surgery.
Clients with severe skin sagging are unlikely to see strong results. People with infections, open wounds, or active acne in the treatment area should wait until those issues heal. Pregnant clients and those taking certain strong medications should also avoid energy-based treatments.
Benefits
– Non-invasive with no scarring or stitches
– Lower cost than surgery
– Good preventive option to firm skin and soften early aging signs
– Generally safe, low risk, and relatively painless
– Results can last up to a year
– Treatments can be done in about an hour in a spa
– No recovery time—clients can continue their day after the appointment
Downsides
– Still costly compared with topical treatments
– Results take months to appear, not immediate
– Not ideal for older clients or those with severe sagging
Note: This article is intended for licensed and certified spa professionals only. Before offering these treatments, ensure you are trained and certified, prioritize client safety, and follow your professional licensing and certification guidelines.
Have you incorporated this treatment into your spa? Share your experiences in the comments and join the conversation on social media. You can also find out how to become an Eminence Organics Spa Partner.