HIFU Ultraformer III — Full Face

A non-surgical face-lifting treatment using the Ultraformer III high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device. Delivers focused ultrasound energy to the SMAS layer and deep dermis to stimulate collagen remodelling and tissue tightening without incisions or downtime.

The HIFU Ultraformer III treatment at Spire Clinic uses high-intensity focused ultrasound to deliver thermal energy to precise depths within the facial tissue, targeting the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) — the same anatomical layer that plastic surgeons manipulate during a surgical facelift. The Ultraformer III is a third-generation HIFU device manufactured by Classys, a South Korean medical device company, and is one of the more widely validated HIFU platforms in the European aesthetic market. The device uses interchangeable cartridges to deliver focused ultrasound energy at specific depths: 1.5mm (superficial dermis for fine lines), 3.0mm (deep dermis for skin tightening), and 4.5mm (SMAS layer for lifting). During treatment, the practitioner selects cartridge depths based on the treatment zone and the patient's tissue thickness, creating thousands of tiny thermal coagulation points at each targeted layer. These micro-injuries trigger the body's wound healing cascade, stimulating new collagen and elastin production over the following 2-3 months. The full-face protocol at Spire Clinic covers the forehead, periorbital area, cheeks, nasolabial folds, jawline, and submental region. Treatment takes approximately 60 minutes. Patients typically experience a warm prickling sensation during energy delivery and mild tenderness afterward, but there is no skin breakage, no anaesthesia requirement, and no social downtime — patients can return to work and apply makeup immediately. Results develop gradually over 8-12 weeks as new collagen matures and contracts. Most patients notice improved skin firmness, jawline definition, and a subtle lifting effect. A single treatment can produce visible improvement lasting 12-18 months, though annual maintenance sessions are commonly recommended to sustain collagen stimulation. HIFU is particularly suited to patients in their late 30s to 50s who have mild to moderate skin laxity but are not ready for or interested in surgical intervention.