From botox to fillers to face lifts, there is a wealth of choice for A-listers who are keen to press pause on the ageing process.
But it seems there has been a noticeable shift among big-name Hollywood stars moving away from a “frozen” look towards a more natural appearance, using less invasive techniques. And it’s not just the rich and famous who are seeking alternatives either, this trend has been reflected in the beauty industry in general, with many women wanting to say goodbye to the pain and downtime of needling or going under the knife.
The beauty world has evolved in leaps and bounds in the past decade with advancements in new technologies allowing patients to achieve results using non-surgical methods, including HIFU.
A relatively new treatment for skin tightening, HIFU stands for high intensity focused ultrasound. It works by using focused ultrasound energy to target the layers of skin just below the surface. Once the cells in the targeted area reach a certain temperature, they experience cellular damage.
The damage stimulates the cells to produce more collagen, which is a protein that provides structure to the skin. This increase in collagen results in tighter, firmer skin.
With more than 25 years of experience in the beauty and wellness industry, HIFU Australia founder Cher Mauk is passionate about helping men and women to feel more comfortable in their own skin. Not only does she own several HIFU practices, she is also an educator and has trained dozens of other HIFU practitioners around the country.
And if the wall-to-wall awards (including global winners for their HIFU procedure in 2023) in her Birtinya salon are any indication, she is a highly qualified HIFU practitioner, so I felt safe in her expert hands during my recent visit to experience what this treatment could do for my tired, dehydrated skin.
Cher took the time to inquire about my skin type and what areas I wanted to target. I opted for full face treatment, targeting areas that had lost volume, as well as improving the overall texture of my skin.
The procedure itself took about an hour and apart from some tingling and a little heat as Cher swept the ultrasound wand over my face, I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of pain. Unlike other laser treatments, there is no peeling or flaking afterwards. Plus, you will continue to see results for the next two months as the skin cells begin to repair and produce more collagen, which results in a youthful appearance. Who doesn’t love that!
Looking at the before and after pictures Cher took, I could immediately see the results. The fine lines around my eyes and mouth were visibly smoother and less pronounced and my skin looked noticeably plumper and more hydrated.
Cher completed the treatment by cleansing and exfoliating my face with products from her own cosmeceutical range including a brand new Super Serum called Regenerate IT with 12 active oils to help regenerate the skin instantly.
“These products are made fresh here in Australia and are on the shelf within 24 hours,” Cher says.
She recommends supporting the HIFU treatment with these products, along with her best-selling product – collagen gummies. The gummies contain marine collagen, which is essentially the superhero of collagens. They are also delicious, and just two per day can help to repair the skin from the inside.
Unlike some treatments, you only need one or two HIFU sessions a year. The results are impressive and I can’t wait to see how my skin improves even more in the coming weeks.