Is HIFU Painful, What can go wrong with HIFU non surgical face lift treatment?

Jess Callahan • October 11, 2023

Is HIFU Painful?


HIFU can be painful if the machine is old or the cartridge style has no or limited control of settings, in that case be ready for a big ZAP! 10 years ago I had my first treatment and it was horrible. Thankfully, todays machines have improved to produce more accurate beams that bypass nerves and have cooling incorporated in the head making it much more comfortable.


If we use the wrong settings on the wrong part of your face you will feel pain. Ensure your operator is thoroughly trained and understands which depths can be used on each part of the face. This is also part of the consultation process as everyone is different with different needs!


If you have metal implants or fillings in the area they pick up the ultrasound more and it can hurt! Jess has devised a few methods to alleviate this because we don't like hurting clients! Other salons may just avoid the area , but usually its the mouth area - exactly where we want tightening so we will get you thru it with our tricks!


Our machine has a lot of settings we can adapt and change to reduce pain if you are one of the very rare ones who is struggling! If you have metal fillings or implants I have ways to buffer the pain. Your comfort is my priority, we are not a run in-run out salon, I am focussed on you and your treatment ONLY. 


Our HIFU machine is the latest and most advanced with CFU technology and added cooling. It's rare people find the treatment uncomfortable!


We do HIFU all day long, we specialise so we can be the best HIFU salon in Melbourne.


What can go wrong with a HIFU Treatment?


HIFU is a very safe treatment with a qualified, experienced and knowledgeable therapist. Ensure the clinic you are attending is trained and knows the anatomy of the face and body. A great thing about HIFU therapy is that the majority of people who undergo HIFU treatment do not experience any side effects or adverse effects. However, as with any medical procedure, there are rare cases where people may experience mild, transient side effects. It is worth noting that these complications are resolved in a short period of time.


Over the last decade I have seen a few cases of nerve damage with HIFU. Mostly this is resolved over time. The patients that had these effects were not screened properly by the salon. Bells Palsy, stroke or previous nerve damage to the face means we cannot treat a patient, please ensure your therapist does a thorough health assessment prior to treatment.


An inexperienced therapist could also cause damage to a client by using the wrong settings , the wrong amount of energy at the wrong depth and not understanding the machine could cause adverse effects. A well-trained therapist will carefully evaluate each patient's needs and adjust the treatment settings accordingly. Select a therapist who has had a proven success rate of providing HIFU treatments.


Burns and blisters are another complication that I have heard of. Although, we have never witnessed this. HIFU works under the skin so to get a burn or blister huge power would need to be used in one spot for a long duration. This is very unlikely as the client would be telling the operator to stop! We always listen and monitor clients thoroughly. Always speak up if something doesn't feel right. HIFU or any other treatment should not be painful!   

What are the downsides?


Redness and swelling: After the treatment, some individuals may experience mild redness and swelling in the treated area. This is a temporary side effect and usually subsides within a few hours or days. Swelling can appear as a lumpy rash in about 1/1000 clients. This is a histamine reaction and will subside. An anti-histamine can be taken to avoid this and ease symptoms,


Tenderness or sensitivity: One potentially observable effect is the likelihood of experiencing tenderness or sensitivity in the treated area. This sensation may manifest immediately after the procedure or within a few days, albeit typically characterised by mild intensity and short-lived duration. A tight feeling in the jaw is common, but nothing to worry about it will subside over a few weeks as the muscle tightens.


Bruising: In rare cases, bruising may occur in the treated area. This is typically minimal and resolves on its own within a few days. We have never seen any bruising on clients at HUSH. This is due to our head size and utilising CFU.


Numbness or Tingling: There is a possibility that certain individuals may encounter a temporary sensation of numbness or tingling in the treated area. This is due to inflammation of the nerves. It will pass and is not constant, just some strange feelings in the area

Is HIFU ok to do every month?


NO. Well some clinics offer HIFU glow, this can be done every month but it is 1/4 - 1/2 a full treatment. We prefer to give full treatments with the maximium shots.


If someone responds very well and just needs a lift say for an event you could consider a HIFU GLOW. Similar results to RF facials, just working on the superficial skin, giving plump and lift. We aim to have the best value HIFU facials and can tailor a programme perfect for you concerns. See our PRICELIST here.

By Jessica callahan June 12, 2026
Most Sensitive Skin Isn't Actually Sensitive The Skin Barrier Truth Most People Never Hear By Jess, Owner of HUSH Clinical | 30 Years of Skin Experience Every week I meet people who tell me they have sensitive skin. Their skin is red. It stings. It feels tight. Products suddenly irritate them. Nothing seems to work anymore. And after more than 30 years treating skin, I've noticed something interesting. Around 90% of these clients don't actually have what I would consider true sensitive skin. What they have is a damaged skin barrier. What Is The Skin Barrier? Your skin barrier is your body's natural protective shield. Think of it as the brick wall that keeps moisture in and irritants out. When your skin barrier is healthy, your skin feels: Comfortable Balanced Hydrated Calm Resilient When the barrier becomes damaged, everything changes. Suddenly your skin becomes: Red Reactive Tight Dry Itchy Easily irritated Most people assume they have sensitive skin. In reality, their skin is simply crying out for help. How Do People Damage Their Skin Barrier? The biggest causes I see include: Over-Cleansing Many people believe that squeaky-clean skin equals healthy skin. It doesn't. If your skin feels tight after cleansing, you've likely removed too much of your skin's natural protection. Too Many Active Ingredients Retinol. Vitamin C. Acids. Peels. Exfoliants. These ingredients can be fantastic when used correctly. But when clients start layering multiple active products without guidance, the skin often becomes overwhelmed. Following Social Media Trends TikTok and Instagram have convinced many people that more products equal better results. The truth? Most people need fewer products, not more. Over-Exfoliation One of the most common mistakes I see. Exfoliation can improve skin texture and brightness, but too much exfoliation strips the barrier and leaves the skin vulnerable. The Signs Of A Damaged Skin Barrier You may have barrier damage if: Products suddenly sting Your skin feels tight after cleansing You experience unexplained redness Your skin feels dry but also breaks out Moisturisers don't seem to work anymore Your skin reacts to products you've used for years These symptoms are often mistaken for sensitivity. What I Recommend Instead The first thing I do is simplify. We stop chasing the next miracle product. We focus on restoring the skin. Step 1: Use A Gentle Cleanser One of my favourites is Synergie UltraCleanse . It removes makeup, sunscreen and daily buildup without leaving the skin feeling stripped or tight. Step 2: Reduce Active Ingredients Sometimes less really is more. Giving the skin a chance to recover can make a dramatic difference. Step 3: Focus On Barrier Repair Some of my favourite products for compromised skin include: Dr Spiller Sanvita Cream Eco by Sonya Glory Oil Eco by Sonya Super Fruit Hydrator Synergie DermaCalm These products help support hydration, comfort and skin barrier recovery. Step 4: Be Patient The skin barrier doesn't repair overnight. Consistency is often more important than intensity. My Biggest Skincare Tip After treating thousands of skins over the years, one thing has become very clear. Most people don't need stronger skincare. They need healthier skin. When the skin barrier is functioning properly, many common concerns improve naturally. Less redness. Less irritation. Better hydration. Healthier-looking skin. Not Sure If Your Skin Is Sensitive Or Barrier Damaged? That's where professional advice makes all the difference. At HUSH Clinical, we offer complimentary skin consultations to help identify what's really happening with your skin and create a plan that's tailored to you. Because the right skincare doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's simply about giving your skin what it needs most. Book Your Complimentary Skin Consultation Today HUSH Clinical | South Yarra, Melbourne Or shop Jess's favourite barrier-supporting products online at HUSH Beauty & Skin.
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