The facelift is the second most popular surgical procedure in Canada. That should be no wonder considering the top reason patients cite for wanting plastic surgery is to feel and look younger. Those considering a facelift may feel intimidated by this treatment’s cost, invasiveness, and downtime. Luckily, non-surgical facial treatments are new and better ways to get younger-looking skin. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) facials and ultrasound technologies like Morpheus8 facial treatment may be the alternatives people have been searching for. So, we are breaking down the difference between HIFU vs Morpheus8 in this guide.
Are you looking for a less time-consuming, more affordable alternative to a classic facelift? If so, keep reading this guide to learn about two of them and which facial treatment options may be best for you.
Similarities
The biggest similarity between Morpheus8 and HIFU treatments is that they are both non-surgical treatments. Patients do not have to go under the knife. Plus, these procedures require no downtime.
Additionally, both treatments:
- Boost collagen production
- Are suitable for areas of the face, neck, and decolletage
- Have relatively short recovery timelines
- Require one to three sessions for full results
- Offer long-lasting results
- Help patients’ skin look more youthful
- Are safe, effective, and Health Canada-approved
So, why would someone choose one treatment over the other? Morpheus8 and HIFU have some crucial distinctions. We explore these differences next.
Differences
The most significant difference between Morpheus8 vs HIFU is that they use different technologies. Both treatments have the goal of boosting collagen production. However, they go about it in two different ways.
These treatments also differ in the following ways:
- The types of complaints they treat
- The areas of the body Health Canada has approved them for
- Their target age demographics
- How much they cost
- How long do the results last
We will go in-depth about some of these differences throughout the rest of this article. So, keep reading to determine which treatments are right based on each individual’s unique needs.
Skin Penetration Level
HIFU treatments tend to penetrate the skin more deeply than Morpheus8. The difference comes down to the types of energy these technologies use. HIFU uses ultrasound energy, while Morpheus8 uses radiofrequency (RF) energy.
These technologies are both capable of targeting the deepest layers of the skin. This includes the dermis, where collagen production occurs.
Both treatments also target the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS). SMAS is a layer of tissue beneath the facial skin. Targeting the dermis can help tighten and lift facial skin.
However, HIFU’s ultrasound technology targets the SMAS layer better than Morpheus8 treatments. This quality makes HIFU better suited for tightening and lifting and improving the look and texture of the skin.
Morpheus8 vs HIFU Facial Treatments
We’ve already hinted at the most significant difference between Morpheus8 vs HIFU: the technology. Morpheus8 facial treatment uses RF energy. As its name suggests, HIFU facial treatment is powered by ultrasound energy.
Here’s how the different energy sources make these treatments so distinct.
Morpheus8
Radiofrequency energy treatments use a low-frequency type of electromagnetic energy: radio waves. The radio waves send energy deep into the skin layers. Morpheus8 technology delivers these radio waves through microneedling.
This results in two things. First, the needling treatment creates tiny punctures in skin layers. Secondly, the RF ways heat skin tissue, resulting in thermal damage.
Damaging the skin with Morpheus8 may sound like a bad thing. Yet, these injuries are invisible and safe. The goal of creating them is to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. This leads to new collagen production.
Morpheus facial treatment is best for wrinkles, fine lines, stretch marks, acne scars, discolouration, and skin texture. It will provide some skin tightening but does not generally lift sagging skin. Morpheus8 is also effective for skin rejuvenation on the body.
HIFU
HIFU skin-firming technology uses ultrasound energy. It is the same energy used to create images in the womb.
Ultrasound energy is not a type of electromagnetic energy. Instead, it is a high-frequency sound wave. Sound waves are mechanical waves; they travel much slower than radio waves.
Like Morpheus8, HIFU applies heat to the deepest layers of the skin and the SMAS. The heat creates thermal pockets in these underlying tissues. The ultimate goal is to produce more collagen and tighten the SMAS.
In comparison to Morpheus8, HIFU offers fewer skin resurfacing benefits. Instead, its goal is to tighten and lift sagging facial skin. It will also lift fine lines and wrinkles due to skin sagging.
Other Viable Treatment Areas
Morpheus8 can treat more areas of the body than HIFU. So far, Health Canada has only approved HIFU for the face, neck, and decolletage.
Health Canada has approved Morpheus8 for the face, neck, and body. It may be the best treatment to choose if you want to target an area such as the arms, stomach, buttocks, or legs.
Target Age Group
HIFU and Morpheus8 have slightly different ideal age groups. Morpheus8 is best for people from the ages of 20 to 60. It can help with various complaints, from fine lines and wrinkles to skin tone and texture.
People in their 20s may not benefit from HIFU treatments as their primary goal is to tighten sagging skin. However, these treatments can also help make the skin look more youthful.
By the time a woman reaches her 20s, elastin and collagen have begun to decline by around 1–1.5% each year. Declines in these essential proteins initiate the skin ageing and sagging process. Yet, most women do not notice these effects until they reach their 30s. For that reason, most professionals recommend HIFU treatments for people between the ages of 30 and 60.
Clinical Trials
There is much evidence for the benefits of Morpheus8 and HIFU treatments. Below, we discuss some of the latest clinical research (i.e., research done in humans) to back their effects.
Morpheus8 Notice
In a recent review of clinical studies, researchers compiled evidence for Morpheus8’s benefits. The review showed that RF microneedling treatments like Morpheus8 could effectively treat:
- Skin ageing and laxity
- Skin texture, acne scars, fine lines, and large pores
- Acne vulgaris and acne vulgaris scarring
- Post-traumatic and post-procedural scarring
- Rosacea
- Undereye circles and bags
A 2020 series of case studies also showed improvements in cellulite composition after Morpheus8 treatment. The study showed a reduction in skin undulation three to six months after treatment.
HIFU Notice
A 2022 study looked at the benefits of ultrasound treatments like HIFU. Researchers found that HIFU can effectively tighten the skin in the upper and mid-facial regions after only one treatment session.
Another recent study tested the results of HIFU on wrinkles around the lower jaw, mouth, and neck. Participants underwent three HIFU treatments. They showed significant wrinkle improvement in the 10 and 16-week follow-ups.
Treatment Awards
Health Canada approved Morpheus8 in 2019. Approval for Morpheus8’s use on the face came a bit earlier. In that time, the creators of Morpheus8 have racked up several facial treatment awards, including:
- Hollywood Beauty Award for Breakthrough Skincare Treatment (2019)
- NewBeauty Award for Best Non-invasive Skin Tightener (2019)
- MyFaceMyBody Award for Best Antiageing Treatment (2019)
- Aesthetic Everything Award for Best Skin Tightener (2019)
- Aesthetics Award for Product Innovation of the Year (2021)
- NewBeauty Award for Best Skin Tightening Microneedling Treatment (2022)
HIFU technology has been around for much longer. Health Canada originally approved HIFU in 2008, but it was not until 2009 that they approved it for the face. HIFU may have been around longer, but it has racked up fewer awards:
- Aesthetics Award for Best Antiageing Treatment (2017)
- Harper’s Bazaar Beauty Award for Best Non-Invasive Face Lifting Treatment (2018)
- MyFaceMyBody Award, Asia, for Best Skin Tightening Treatment (2019)
- Aesthetic Industry Award for Best Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Device (2020)
- Aesthetic Industry Award for Best Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Device (2021)
Duration and Number of Sessions
Morpheus8 and HIFU both offer long-lasting results. However, exactly how long they last and how many sessions it takes to get those results varies.
With Morpheus 8, patients can expect results after up to three sessions. Some individuals may achieve their goals within only one or two sessions.
HIFU, on the other hand, only takes up to two sessions to achieve desired results. Again, some people may see the desired results after just one session.
Morpheus8 may take a little longer to see results, but they will last longer, too. Some Morpheus8 results are permanent if the patient maintains a healthy skincare routine. Other results require touchups after 1–3 years.
HIFU results need more frequent touchups. Results typically last from half a year to up to a year.
In terms of individual sessions, Morpheus8 and HIFU sessions last around 90 minutes. The treatment itself typically takes less than 30 minutes.
Side Effects
Health Canada only approves treatments like Morpheus8 and HIFU if they are effective and safe. The benefits have to outweigh the potential costs, including side effects.
We are not saying these treatments have no side effects, but they have relatively mild ones. The most common symptoms people experience from these treatments are discomfort, swelling, redness, numbness, and tingling.
Most people do not find these symptoms severe enough to interfere with their lives. In fact, many patients can return to work the same day or the day following their treatment session.
Costs
Morpheus8 and HIFU costs vary depending on multiple factors. The biggest factors are the area and the number of areas the patient wants to target. The number of sessions, provider quality, and location also matter.
In Canada, a single HIFU session costs around $600. As we mentioned earlier, HIFU results may only take two sessions. So, a patient would pay $1,200 to see full results in one area.
One Morpheus8 session ranges from $500 to $1,500 in Canada. The range is wide to account for smaller and larger target areas. People who need the maximum number of sessions (three) will pay $1,500 to $4,500 for full results.
Combining the Two
Those looking for a treatment that can help resurface skin while lifting and tightening saggy skin could benefit from combining Morpheus8 and HIFU treatments.
Each of these treatments is highly effective on its own. Combined, HIFU and Morpheus8 act synergistically.
For example, this 2020 study examined the benefits of HIFU and Morpheus8 technologies on face and neck appearance. Participants experienced a 19% increase in skin density and significantly improved dermal collagen and elastin concentrations.
Scheduling a consultation with an aesthetic dermatology professional in your area can help you make the right decision. A specialist will listen to any concerns and suggest the best course of action to address them.
HIFU vs Morpheus8: Get the Treatment You Need at Dermafina
When it comes to HIFU vs Morpheus8, the right procedure depends on the individual’s unique needs. HIFU is best for women showing signs of facial ageing. It only helps to lift and tighten skin, and the results are not permanent.
On the hand, Morpheus8 is beneficial for women of all ages. It can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, dark spots, texture, and more. A patient’s results will also last longer with Morpheus8.
Are you searching for ‘Morpheus8 treatments near me’? Dermafina is a medical spa serving the Montreal, Quebec area offering Morpheus8 treatments for body contouring and facial skin rejuvenation.
Learn more about our Morpheus8 services and schedule your first consultation.
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