At Cosmo ME, we’re always down for trying out new aesthetic treatments. When the opportunity came to get the HIFU facial laser from online aesthetic booking platform, Selfologi, at Le Rêve Clinic in Jumeriah, it was an immediate ~heck yes~.
I met with aesthetic dermatologist, Doctor Maya Khoury, who gave me all the essential deets on this tightening treatment. I’m always up for trying out the latest and greatest, so before I knew it, I was horizontal and my double chin was being zapped away.
Everything you need to know
HIFU stands for High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound. This facial laser “uses ultrasound energy to heat cells far beneath the surface of the skin, stimulating the production of more collagen. This increases collagen, responsible for skin elasticity and firmness, resulting in tighter-looking skin with fewer wrinkles and improved smoothness.” Sounds pretty good, amirite? There are even more benefits, including “tightening sagging skin including the décolletage, lifting the cheeks, eyebrows, and eyelids, and enhancing jawline definition.”
via Instagram @naka_alves
Also, “HIFU is quick, non-invasive, and relatively painless. Since there is no damage done to the upper layers of skin, there is no downtime involved in this treatment. This laser treatment is a safe alternative to surgery. It works for all skin types and tones. Clients can go about their day as normal post-treatment.” With so many benefits and no downtime, you easily can see why I couldn’t pass up the chance to try it out for myself.
via Instagram @le.reve_clinic
What went down
I’ve done a lot of extreme laser treatments including Morpheus 8 and Moxi, so I went in with my usual no pain, no gain mentality. Even though I was assured that the HIFU pain factor is minimal, I didn’t quite believe it. After prepping my skin, Doctor Maya explained the treatment would take approximately 30-45 minutes.
As Doctor Maya inched the laser device closer and closer to my skin, I held my breath and braced myself for the worst. Within the first few zaps, however, I realized that Doctor Maya wasn’t kidding- there truly was no pain at all. I can best describe the sensation as a gentle vibration on my skin. I did feel pressure however on my jawline when Doctor Maya held the laser to it. With HIFU, it’s “important to hold the laser firmly to this area of the face for best results.”
Supplied
The results
After the session ended, Doctor Maya applied sunscreen to my face and instructed me to avoid the sun for the next few days. Typically, my skin is red and inflamed after lasers. It was beyond surprising to see that my complexion looked normal and glowy. It didn’t look like I just had a 45-minute laser session. Since there isn’t any recovery time with HIFU, I was able to resume my normal makeup-wearing and work out routine life immediately.
I noticed within the first week that my double chin was already minimised. It wasn’t quite as pronounced. My jawline was sore a week after the treatment although there was no visible bruising. As time passed, my skin appeared to be tighter. I felt the tightening sensation mostly on my jawline area and around my eyes. Maximum results are seen within six months of treatment and last for one year. Overall, I’m happy with my ongoing results and recommend this to anyone who needs to bag the sag.
Doctor Maya Khoury is based in the UAE. She has over 15 years of experience in aesthetic dermatology with advanced training from the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. Le Rêve provides aesthetic procedures like Botox, fillers, and lasers among others. For appointments, book online at Selfologi here.