Patients often ask us about the key differences between Ultherapy and Hifu technologies, and which of these treatments is better.

Both treatments offer a relatively painless and completely non-invasive way to rejuvenate and tighten the skin without surgery. This is why they have risen in popularity as non-surgical alternatives to the standard anti-ageing facelift. Visit for more information best fat loss clinic in Dubai

Patients can expect firmer, tighter and more luminous skin thanks to their collagen and elastin stimulation. But Ultherapy and Hifu machines differ in several key ways, from the types of technology they use to their skin tightening and lifting results. In this article, we explore these differences between Ultherapy and Hifu, explaining which treatment is worth your time and money.

Skin Tightening and Lifting with Ultherapy vs Hifu

Ultherapy and Hifu offer a non-surgical way to achieve facelifts and skin rejuvenation. Collagen and elastin proteins are the essential fibres that make up the connective tissues of our skin. They support the structure and foundation of the skin to maintain its elasticity and firmness. But both decline with age, leading to sagging skin, looseness and the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

Hifu and Ultherapy technologies force our bodies to start reproducing these skin lifting proteins again. Ultrasound waves pass through the connective tissues of our skin, before heating up and damaging the tissues at a deep level. Our skin then fights back by automatically re-generating fresh collagen and elastin stores to restore skin strength and firmness. This leaves fresher, tighter and lifted skin that looks more youthful, supple and replenished. The treatments can:

Is Hifu Treatment the same as Ultherapy?

Many people think that Hifu and Ultherapy are the same treatment. Ultherapy is similar to Hifu, but with the added benefit of real-time imaging. Additionally, while the treatments both use ultrasound to activate natural skin rejuvenation, they use different types of ultrasound beams. Aesthetic medicine involves the use of two types of ultrasound:

Both methods apply specialised heat energy to stimulate the production of collagen. The optimal temperature for stimulating collagen production ranges between 60°C and 70°C. Skin tissues are disrupted at these temperatures, and the body kickstarts a repair process by producing new collagen and elastin proteins. Ultherapy uses micro-focused ultrasound (MFU) beams to do this, whereas Hifu uses High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound. The key difference between these two techniques is how the beams are delivered to the deeper layers of the skin. The MFU method is sharply focused, whereas Hifu applies multiple beams that can hit bone and fat tissues as well.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (Hifu) is a relatively new treatment for clinical skin tightening. Approved by the FDA for brow lifts in 2009, it was first used to treat tumours back in 2008. Clinicians now also use it for skin tightening and wrinkle reduction.

How does Hifu treatment work?

Hifu works by using an acoustic lens to concentrate several beams of ultrasound energy on targeted areas. The energy is applied to a depth of between 1.5 and 4.5mm beneath the skin to stimulate new collagen and elastin.

Hifu doesn’t use imaging technology. This means that clinicians cannot see the layers of skin they are treating or the effects that the beams are having on the skin. This is why Hifu has become known as a “blind” skin tightening treatment, as clinicians cannot see the layers of skin they are treating, or how it is making an impact.

How does Ultherapy work?