The short answer
Neck tissue is thin in places, so the choice of depth matters. HIFU may help early to moderate laxity. It is planned as part of the lower-face unit, so a firmed jawline is not left above an untreated neck.
Dr Sin Yong assesses and treats personally, after a pinch test of each zone. The written plan includes the option of no treatment.
Which cartridge goes where
| Cartridge | Where it is used |
|---|---|
| 3.0 mm | Does most of the work, in the dermis. |
| 1.5 mm | The thinnest skin at the front of the neck, and across any crepe. |
| 4.5 mm | Only in the submental area and just under the jaw, where the pinch shows enough tissue for the focal point to sit in the platysma. |
Who HIFU for neck laxity may suit
The pinch shows a thin fold of skin rather than fat.
There is no heavy band, and no large amount of redundant skin.
The neck is treated with the jawline as one unit, at the same visit or in sequence, on thinner-tissue settings.
How the neck is assessed
Assessment comes first, at a visit with the doctor. The pinch shows whether a fold is skin or fat. He also looks for bands, redundant skin and thin tissue at the front of the neck. HIFU is considered when laxity is the main problem. If lines or crepe are the main problem, skin-quality work is preferred instead. Cartridge depths and micro-pulsed delivery follow the Ultraformer MPT platform, and they are set individually for each neck.
What HIFU does not address
| Concern | Why not | What may be considered |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal necklace lines | These are creases | Skin boosters or fine filler |
| Crepe alone | Heat alone can make it look thinner and shinier | Neck and hand revitalisation |
| Vertical platysmal bands | These are muscular, and heat can make a band more visible | Botulinum toxin |
| Compact submental fat | Fat is a separate question | Time Freeze Laser LCLR® |
| Redundant skin | Beyond what focused ultrasound can help | Referral to a plastic surgery specialist |
Who should tell us first, or may be referred
Please mention thyroid disease or previous neck surgery at consultation. The thyroid and front midline of the neck are not treated over.
Anyone with implants, or recent filler or threads in the neck, is assessed individually.
With little tissue, focused ultrasound is unlikely to help.
Risks and side effects
Redness, warmth, tenderness and occasional bruising, which settle.
A cartridge that is too deep may put heat in fat or against deeper structures, leaving a hollow or a tender nodule.
A cartridge that is too shallow, or poor contact on a curved surface, can cause a surface welt or burn.
Heat near the jaw edge can irritate the marginal mandibular nerve and temporarily weaken the corner of the mouth.
A welt that does not flatten, blistering, a hard or painful lump, marked swelling, or any change in mouth movement.
Sessions, recovery and fees
The number of sessions is not set in advance, and plans are staged. HIFU downtime and HIFU aftercare cover recovery. Fees are set in writing after assessment. They depend on the zones and depths the examination calls for, whether HIFU is combined with skin-quality work or botulinum toxin, and how the plan is staged. Singapore's rules prevent clinics from advertising prices. You can arrange a consultation to have your neck examined.