HIFU

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Skin loosens gradually. The jawline softens, the neck loses definition, and the skin on the upper arms or abdomen no longer sits the way it used to. It's rarely dramatic enough to consider surgery, but you can still notice it.

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HIFU treats that middle ground. It uses focused ultrasound energy to reach the deep supportive layers of the skin and prompt them to tighten and rebuild — without incisions, injections or recovery time.

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At Caroline Balazs every HIFU treatment begins with a full assessment, because this treatment works beautifully for the right candidate and disappoints the wrong one. We'll tell you honestly which you are.

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What is HIFU?

HIFU stands for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound.

The handpiece delivers ultrasound energy that passes harmlessly through the skin's surface and converges at a precise depth below it. At that focal point the energy becomes heat, creating tiny, controlled points of thermal coagulation in the tissue. Your body responds the way it responds to any controlled injury — by producing new collagen and elastin.

The result is skin that tightens and firms progressively over the following months, using your own tissue rather than anything introduced from outside.

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Working at three depths

• 4.5mm — the SMAS layer, the deep foundational tissue that surgeons tighten during a facelift. This is where lifting happens.

• 3.0mm — the deep dermis, for firmness and structural support.

• 1.5mm — the superficial dermis, for fine lines and surface texture.

Body treatments use deeper cartridges again to reach the subcutaneous layer. Your practitioner selects and combines depths according to your anatomy and your concern.

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HIFU for the face

Best for:

• Softening jawline and early jowls

• Loose or crepey skin on the neck

• Heaviness in the brow

• Loss of definition along the cheekbones

• Fine lines around the eyes and mouth

• Crepey skin on the décolletage

Most people have a single treatment and see the result build over three to six months. Some concerns benefit from a second session at around six months, and most clients return for maintenance every twelve to eighteen months.

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HIFU for the body

Body HIFU targets skin laxity — skin that has lost its firmness after weight loss, pregnancy, or simply with time.

Commonly treated areas:

• Abdomen

• Upper arms

• Inner and outer thighs

• Above the knees

• Flanks

• Buttocks

• Under the chin and jawline

Body areas typically need one to two treatments spaced three months apart, with results developing over a similar timeframe to the face.

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What HIFU will and won't do

HIFU is very good at: tightening mild to moderate laxity, improving definition, firming crepey skin, and giving a natural, progressive result that doesn't announce itself.

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HIFU is not: a facelift, a weight loss treatment, or a substitute for surgery where there is significant excess skin. It doesn't add volume, so if the underlying concern is volume loss rather than laxity, we'll discuss other options.

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It also isn't instant. If you want a visible change next week, this isn't the treatment. The trade-off for no downtime is that the result arrives slowly.

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If your skin laxity is beyond what HIFU can meaningfully address, we will say so at consultation rather than sell you a treatment that won't satisfy you.

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What to expect

Consultation and assessment. We examine your skin, discuss your goals and confirm suitability. We'll take photographs so we can track your progress properly.

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On the day. Ultrasound gel is applied and the handpiece is moved across the treatment area in lines. You'll feel heat and occasional prickling or deep tingling as energy is delivered.

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Most people find it comfortable enough to chat throughout, though bony areas such as the jawline and forehead can feel sharper.

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How long. Full face takes around 60 to 90 minutes.

Face and neck, closer to two hours.

Body areas vary from 45 minutes to two hours.

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Afterwards. You can go straight back to your day. Skin may look slightly flushed or feel a little tender or tingly for a few days.

Occasionally there is mild swelling or small areas of numbness that settle within a couple of weeks.

 

Your results, month by month

Weeks 1–2. Some people notice an immediate tightening effect. This is temporary and settles.

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Weeks 4–8. New collagen begins to form. Subtle firming becomes visible.

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Months 3–6. Peak results. Skin looks lifted, firmer and better defined.

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Months 12–18. Results are typically maintained for this long, after which a maintenance treatment keeps pace with ongoing natural ageing.

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Results vary between individuals and depend on your age, skin quality, lifestyle and the degree of laxity at the outset.

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Pricing

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Face and neck

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Targeted area — eyes and brow, or under chin

£295

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Lower face, neck and jawline

£495

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Full face

£695

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Full face and neck

£850

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Full face, neck and décolletage-

£995

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Neck and décolletage

£550

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Body

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One small area — upper arms, above knees, flanks

£395

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One large area — abdomen, full thighs, buttocks

£595

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Two large areas

£950

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Additional area added to any package

£250

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Consultation

Skin consultation and assessment with a qualified Skin Specialist Nurse Practitioner

 

£20, redeemable against treatment or products

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Is HIFU right for me?

HIFU suits people with mild to moderate skin laxity who want improvement without surgery. It works across all skin tones, which makes it a useful option where light-based treatments carry more risk.

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HIFU is not suitable if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

• Have an active skin infection, open wound or severe acne in the treatment area

• Have metal implants, plates or screws in the treatment area

• Have a pacemaker or implanted electrical device

• Have significant excess skin that would be better addressed surgically

• Have a bleeding disorder or take anticoagulant medication (we will assess individually)

• Have had dermal filler or Botox in the treatment area recently — we'll advise on timing

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Please tell us about any medication, recent treatments or medical conditions at consultation.

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Frequently asked questions

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Does it hurt?

There's a sensation of deep heat and occasional prickling. Most people describe it as uncomfortable in places rather than painful, and it stops the moment the treatment does. Bony areas feel more intense. Let your practitioner know and we'll adjust.

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How many sessions will I need?

Usually one for the face, sometimes two for the body or for more established laxity. We'd rather do one treatment well and reassess at three months than sell you a course you may not need.

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How long do results last?

Typically twelve to eighteen months. HIFU doesn't stop ageing — it sets you back a little and slows the visible pace. Maintenance treatments keep the result going.

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Is there any downtime?

No. You can return to work, exercise and normal activities immediately.

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Can I have it with Botox or filler? Yes, though timing matters. We generally recommend HIFU before injectables, or leaving a gap of two weeks either side. We'll plan the sequence at consultation.

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Will it help me lose weight?

No. HIFU addresses skin laxity, not body weight. It's best thought of as a finishing treatment for skin that has lost firmness, not a method of reducing size.

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How is HIFU different from radiofrequency?

HIFU delivers energy to a fixed, deep focal point in a single pass. Radiofrequency heats a broader, shallower volume of tissue, usually over a course of sessions. HIFU generally suits deeper structural laxity; RF often suits surface firmness and texture.

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Book your consultation

Every HIFU treatment starts with an honest conversation about whether it's the right choice for your skin.  Book online here

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All treatments are subject to consultation and suitability assessment. HIFU is a non-surgical skin tightening treatment and is not a substitute for surgical procedures. Results develop gradually and vary between individuals. Prices correct as of September 2026 and subject to change.