HIFU Non-Surgical Facelift (Ultraformer 3)

HIFU using the Ultraformer 3 system delivers focused ultrasound energy to the SMAS layer and deep dermis to lift and tighten sagging skin without surgery. Results improve over three to six months as collagen remodelling progresses.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is the gold standard for non-surgical skin lifting and tightening, and Edwin Lim Medical Aesthetic Clinic uses the Ultraformer 3 — a clinically validated Korean-manufactured system with a strong evidence base — as their primary HIFU platform. HIFU works by focusing ultrasound energy into precise focal points at depths of 1.5 mm, 3 mm, 4.5 mm, and optionally 6 mm within the skin. At these depths, the ultrasound energy is converted to heat at the focal point (reaching 60–70°C for a fraction of a second), creating micro-thermal zones (MTZs) that contract collagen and stimulate neocollagenesis — new collagen formation — in the weeks and months following treatment. The 4.5 mm transducer specifically targets the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS), the same layer addressed during a surgical facelift. The treatment is performed with no anaesthetic required for most patients, though a topical numbing cream can be applied prior. Full-face HIFU takes 60 to 90 minutes and addresses the brow, mid-face, jowl, jawline, and submental (double chin) area. Patients typically experience a mild pulling or heating sensation during treatment. Some redness and mild swelling may occur for 24–48 hours. Results are typically visible from one month post-treatment as collagen synthesis increases, with peak improvement at three to six months. A single session is often sufficient for patients in their 30s to 40s with mild to moderate laxity; patients with more advanced sagging may benefit from a repeat session at 12 months. HIFU can be combined with injectables, skinboosters, and thread lifts for a comprehensive non-surgical facial rejuvenation programme.