A non-surgical option for skin laxity and early sagging. HIFU delivers focused ultrasound energy beneath the skin's surface to firm the skin and define the jawline — without cuts, and with typically no downtime.
Mon – Sat · 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM · Near Bangur Nagar Metro (B1 Exit), Goregaon West, Mumbai
HIFU at Dr. Faraah's Cosmetic & Laser Clinic, Goregaon West
HIFU stands for high-intensity focused ultrasound. Instead of treating the surface of the skin, the device focuses ultrasound energy at set depths underneath it. The energy creates small points of controlled heating, and the skin's own response to that heat — tissue contraction followed by new collagen forming over the following weeks — is what produces the firming and tightening.
The deepest setting commonly used on the face, around 4.5 mm, reaches the SMAS layer — the fibrous layer that surgeons tighten during a facelift. Shallower settings (around 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm) work on the dermis for finer lines and crepiness. Body areas use different depths again, aimed at the tissue beneath the skin rather than the skin itself.
Because the energy bypasses the surface layer, the skin on top isn't injured — which is one reason HIFU is widely used on Indian and darker skin tones, where surface-directed light and laser treatments carry a higher risk of pigmentation changes.
To be clear about what it is: HIFU is not a facelift. It lifts and firms; it does not remove loose skin, restore lost volume or change bone structure. Suitability and realistic expectations are the first thing discussed at your consultation.
Different areas use different depths and cartridges, so what's realistic for each one is confirmed at your consultation.
Facial tightening and body contouring are not the same treatment — they use different depths and cartridges, and the number of sessions and expected change differ. Dr. Faraah will tell you which applies to your area, and whether HIFU is the right option for it at all.
Suitability can only be confirmed in person. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.
Your skin is examined, your goals discussed and suitability confirmed. Baseline photos are taken so progress can be reviewed honestly later.
The area is cleansed and mapped, topical numbing is applied if needed, and the treatment depths for each area are planned.
The device is moved across the area in planned passes. You'll feel brief warmth or pulses as energy is delivered — not continuously between them.
Mild redness or tenderness is possible and usually settles quickly. Most patients leave and carry on with their day.
Results develop over months, not days — and they vary from person to person.
Skin may feel or look slightly firmer or tighter. Much of this early effect is temporary, from tissue reaction rather than new collagen.
The tightening response begins and the skin may feel more resilient. Changes are usually subtle at this stage.
New collagen forms and organises, and the firming becomes more apparent. This is also when a second session is sometimes advised.
Results are commonly most visible in this window, and generally reported to last in the region of one to two years, depending on your skin and ageing.
HIFU is not a substitute for surgery. It does not remove excess or hanging skin, it cannot restore lost facial volume (that's what fillers do), and it won't change bone structure or reposition fat in the way a surgical lift does. Where laxity is advanced, the honest recommendation may be a surgical opinion — or that a different treatment, or nothing at all, is a better use of your money. If that's the case, you'll be told at the consultation.
These do different things. This is a rough orientation, not a like-for-like comparison.
| Option | What it does | Anaesthesia & downtime | How long results commonly last | Usually chosen for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIFU | Focused ultrasound to deep layers, no cuts or needles | None required; typically no downtime | Around 1–2 years, varies | Mild to moderate laxity, early jowling, wanting gradual change |
| Thread lift | Dissolvable threads placed under the skin to reposition tissue | Local anaesthesia; minimal downtime, some swelling or bruising | Around 12–18 months, varies | Sagging that wants a more immediately visible lift |
| Dermal fillers | Injectable gel that restores volume — it does not lift lax skin | Topical numbing; minimal downtime | Around 6–18 months, varies by product and area | Volume loss, hollowing, folds and contouring |
| Surgical facelift | Removes excess skin and repositions deeper tissue | Anaesthesia with sedation; real recovery time | Often several years, varies | Significant, advanced laxity |
Timelines are typical ranges reported in practice, not guarantees — results vary between individuals. Only a consultation can tell you which of these suits your face.
If you develop prolonged pain, blistering, a change in sensation or any skin marking after treatment, contact the clinic.
Most patients describe warmth, tingling or brief pinprick pulses at the moment energy is delivered, rather than continuous pain. Bony areas like the jawline tend to feel more sensitive than the cheeks or neck. Topical numbing is available and is used where it helps.
Usually one session. In some cases — heavier facial fat or more marked laxity — a second session may be suggested around three months later. Whether maintenance sessions are worth it for you is reviewed over time rather than sold upfront.
Results build gradually as new collagen forms — commonly becoming most apparent between about two and six months. They're generally reported to last in the region of one to two years, though this varies with age, skin quality and how your skin ages afterwards. Individual results vary, and no outcome can be guaranteed.
HIFU works beneath the surface rather than through it, so unlike treatments that act on surface pigment, it carries much less risk of pigmentation changes — which is why it's widely used on Indian and darker skin tones. Settings are adjusted to the individual, and suitability is confirmed in person before your first session.
No. HIFU uses focused ultrasound without any cuts or needles, and firms the skin over months. A thread lift places threads to reposition tissue, and a facelift is surgery that removes excess skin. Where laxity is advanced, HIFU will not deliver what surgery can — and you'll be told so if that's your situation.
Cost depends on which areas are treated and how many passes or cartridges each area needs — a jawline is not the same as a jawline plus neck, or a body area. You'll get an exact price for your plan at the consultation, with no packages pushed on you. Current HIFU pricing is also listed on our offers page.
Book a consultation with Dr. Faraah — an honest assessment of what HIFU can and can't do for you, and an exact price before you decide.
Mon – Sat · 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM · Goregaon West, Mumbai
Individual results vary. HIFU suitability, the number of sessions and the areas treated can only be confirmed after an in-person consultation. This page is general information about the treatment and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.