If you have stubborn pockets of fat that resist diet and exercise — or you have lost significant weight and are now navigating loose skin that will not bounce back — HIFU Body Contouring at 18 Spa offers a clinical, non-surgical path to a firmer, more sculpted shape.
Performed by Kelly Wiechert, RN, our HIFU Body Contouring service uses High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound to break down stubborn fat and tighten loose skin in the same session. There are no incisions, no anesthesia, and no recovery period. You walk in, complete your session, and return to your day.
We serve clients throughout Loveland, Berthoud, Johnstown, Greeley, Windsor, Fort Collins, and Northern Colorado.
Body contouring with HIFU works on two layers of tissue at once.
First, focused ultrasound energy is delivered into the deep subcutaneous fat layer. The energy creates concentrated points of thermal heat at a precise depth — strong enough to disrupt fat cell membranes in the targeted area. Once disrupted, those fat cells are gradually metabolized and cleared by the body’s lymphatic system over the weeks following treatment. The result is a measurable reduction in fat thickness in the treated zone.
Second, the same ultrasound energy stimulates collagen and elastin production in the dermis above the fat layer. As the fat reduces, the skin tightens — meaning you don’t end up with the loose, sagging texture that often follows aggressive fat-only treatments. Tissue contracts as it heals.
This dual mechanism is what makes HIFU particularly well-suited to clients who are addressing post-weight-loss skin laxity or who want a sculpting treatment that does not leave loose skin behind.
HIFU Body Contouring at 18 Spa is calibrated for the most common areas of stubborn fat and post-weight-loss laxity:
Each area is mapped during your treatment planning visit, and the depth and intensity of HIFU energy are adjusted for the tissue characteristics of that region of the body.
HIFU Body Contouring produces results that build over time as the body clears treated fat cells and collagen production catches up. Here is what to expect:
Immediately after treatment: Mild redness or warmth in the treated area is normal and resolves within a few hours. There is no swelling, no bruising, and no activity restriction. You can return to work, exercise, and social plans the same day.
First 2 to 4 weeks: The body begins clearing disrupted fat cells through normal metabolic and lymphatic processes. Some clients notice early firming.
4 to 8 weeks: Visible changes in the treated area become apparent — reduced fat thickness, smoother skin texture, and a firmer overall feel.
3 to 6 months: Final results develop as collagen remodeling completes. Most clients see optimal results at the 3 to 6 month mark.
12 to 18 months: Maintenance sessions can preserve and extend results, particularly for clients who are continuing weight management or want to address new areas.
HIFU Body Contouring is well-suited for:
HIFU Body Contouring may not be the best fit if you are significantly above your goal weight, have severe skin laxity that requires surgical correction, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have certain implants in the treatment zone, or have specific medical conditions affecting healing or connective tissue. Kelly will review your candidacy in detail at consultation.
Before your session: Stay well-hydrated for several days leading up to your appointment, as well-hydrated tissue conducts ultrasound energy more efficiently. Avoid heavy meals immediately before treatment. Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the treatment area.
During your session: A topical numbing cream may be applied to the treatment area before the session begins. The HIFU handpiece is moved methodically across the mapped treatment zones, delivering focused ultrasound pulses at the targeted depth. Most body sessions take 60 to 90 minutes depending on the size of the area treated. You will feel warm, brief pulses of energy and may notice a deeper, prickling sensation in denser tissue. Most clients tolerate the treatment well.
After your session: You can resume normal activities immediately, including exercise. Some clients experience mild tenderness in the treated area for a day or two — similar to the soreness after a workout. There is no bruising, swelling, or downtime.
Does HIFU Body Contouring hurt? Most clients describe the sensation as warm pulses with moments of deeper, prickling warmth in denser tissue. Topical numbing is available, and we adjust intensity throughout the session for comfort. The treatment is well-tolerated by most clients without pain medication.
How is HIFU different from CoolSculpting or other fat-reduction treatments? HIFU uses focused ultrasound energy to disrupt fat cells and simultaneously tighten skin in the same session. Cryolipolysis treatments (like CoolSculpting) freeze fat cells but do not address skin laxity — meaning some clients are left with reduced fat but loose skin. HIFU is particularly well-suited to clients who need both fat reduction and skin tightening.
Will HIFU help me lose weight? HIFU is a body sculpting treatment, not a weight-loss method. It is most effective for clients within 15 to 20 pounds of their goal weight who want to address localized fat or post-weight-loss laxity. If meaningful weight loss is your primary goal, we would discuss a more comprehensive plan at your consultation.
How many sessions will I need? Most clients see meaningful results from a single HIFU session per area. For larger or more pronounced areas, a second session at 2 to 3 months may be recommended for optimal results. Maintenance is typically once every 12 to 18 months.
Is HIFU safe? HIFU has an excellent safety profile when performed by a trained medical professional. Because there are no incisions, no general anesthesia, and no surgical recovery, HIFU eliminates many of the most significant risks associated with surgical body contouring. At 18 Spa, all treatments are performed or directly supervised by Kelly Wiechert, RN.
Sculpt, tighten, and contour without surgery. 18 Spa is Loveland’s RN-led medical spa for non-surgical body contouring — trusted by clients across Northern Colorado for safe, natural-looking, expertly delivered results.
Call: (970) 587-3008
Visit: 1135 N Lincoln Ave, Unit 1, Loveland, CO 80537
Serving: Loveland · Berthoud · Johnstown · Greeley · Windsor · Fort Collins · Northern Colorado
