Aftercare · HIFU

After Your HIFU Treatment

What to expect in the normal course, what to avoid for 24–48 hours — and why the final result takes time.

If pain increases or persists, or you notice signs of a skin infection, please contact us promptly: 09132 9024770.

What to expect in the normal course

  • Redness in the treated area — usually for a few hours up to a day
  • Mild swelling, especially in the first 24–48 hours
  • Sensitivity and a feeling of pressure to the touch — often over several days
  • Occasionally small bruises near transition zones or over bony structures
  • Rarely: palpable firm areas under the skin — these typically resolve fully within days to a few weeks
Important on timing: High-intensity focused ultrasound works by stimulating the skin’s own collagen synthesis. This takes time. The first visible changes appear after about 4–6 weeks, with the final result after 3–6 months. Assessment is not made before three months.

Please avoid for 24–48 hours

  • Sauna, steam bath, hot baths — heat increases swelling
  • Intense exercise or strenuous physical activity
  • Direct sun exposure; outdoors, use consistent high-SPF sun protection
  • Alcohol (dilates blood vessels)
  • Aggressive skincare: peels, acids (AHA/BHA), retinol, microneedling

What you can actively do

  • Gentle cooling with a cool pack wrapped in a cloth — not directly on the skin
  • Drink plenty of fluids — tissue regeneration benefits from good hydration
  • Mild, rich skincare without active ingredients (e.g. a plain, soothing cream)
  • Consistent sun protection for at least 4 weeks — fresh, regenerating skin is more UV-sensitive

When to contact us

  • Persistent, increasing pain instead of slowly fading sensitivity
  • Markedly increasing or one-sided swelling after more than 48 hours
  • Signs of a skin infection: spreading redness, warmth, pus formation
  • Numbness that has not resolved after 7–10 days
  • Burn-like changes to the skin — very rare, but always to be assessed
A note on expectations: HIFU is a gradual-build procedure — the effect comes from newly formed collagen, not an immediate change in volume or tension. If you expect immediate results, the first week will be disappointing. That is normal and not a sign that the treatment has not worked.

How to reach us

Practice: 09132 9024770. Outside office hours: on-call medical service 116 117; for acute emergencies 112.

These notes are based on the device manufacturers’ application recommendations for high-intensity focused ultrasound and standard dermatological-aesthetic practice. They do not replace individual medical consultation.