If you are starting to notice softness along your jawline, the early signs of jowls, or laxity at your neck and décolletage — but you are not ready for surgery — HIFU Skin Tightening at 18 Spa offers a clinically meaningful path to lifting and firming the face without anesthesia, incisions, or downtime.
Performed by Kelly Wiechert, RN, our HIFU Skin Tightening service uses High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound to reach the deep structural layers of the skin where collagen and connective tissue live. The result is a firmer, lifted, more youthful appearance that builds gradually over the months following your session.
We serve clients throughout Loveland, Berthoud, Johnstown, Greeley, Windsor, Fort Collins, and Northern Colorado.
The face is supported beneath the skin by a layer of connective tissue called the SMAS (Superficial Musculo-Aponeurotic System). This is the same layer that surgeons reposition during a traditional facelift. As we age, the SMAS layer loses elasticity and structural integrity, which is what allows the cheeks, jawline, and neck to soften and descend.
HIFU delivers focused ultrasound energy directly to this deep layer without affecting the surface of the skin. Microscopic points of thermal coagulation form at precise, controlled depths, triggering the body’s natural collagen and elastin response. Over the following weeks and months, the SMAS contracts, new collagen is laid down, and the skin and underlying structure tighten and lift.
Because the energy is delivered below the skin, you will not see redness, peeling, or any visible signs that you have had a treatment. The result is a gradual, natural-looking lift — not a dramatic overnight change.
HIFU Skin Tightening at 18 Spa is calibrated for the face, neck, and adjacent zones where structural laxity tends to first appear. We commonly treat:
Each area is mapped during your treatment planning session, and the depth and intensity of HIFU energy are adjusted for the tissue characteristics of that region.
HIFU Skin Tightening produces results that build over time. Here is what to expect:
Immediately after treatment: No swelling, redness, or visible signs of treatment. You can return to normal activities, work, social plans, and skincare the same day.
First 2 to 4 weeks: Some clients notice early firming as the collagen-building response begins. This is subtle and gradual.
2 to 3 months: Most clients begin to see visible tightening and lifting in the treated areas. Friends and family may comment that you look “rested” or “refreshed” without being able to identify why.
4 to 6 months: Final results are typically assessed at the 6-month mark, when collagen remodeling is complete. This is when the full lift and firming effect is visible.
12 to 18 months: Most clients return for a maintenance session to preserve and extend their results. With consistent maintenance, results can be sustained long-term.
HIFU Skin Tightening is well-suited for:
HIFU may not be the best fit if you have severe skin laxity that requires surgical correction, active skin infections in the treatment area, certain implants in the treatment zone, or specific medical conditions affecting connective tissue. Kelly will review your candidacy in detail at your consultation.
Before your session: Arrive with clean skin, free of makeup, lotions, or skincare products. Avoid retinoids and exfoliating acids for 3 days prior. Stay well-hydrated leading up to your appointment, as well-hydrated tissue conducts ultrasound energy more efficiently.
During your session: A topical numbing cream may be applied at the start of the appointment for added comfort, though many clients tolerate HIFU without it. The treatment handpiece is moved methodically across the mapped treatment zones, delivering focused ultrasound pulses to the appropriate tissue depth. Most facial sessions take 45 to 90 minutes depending on the areas treated. You will feel warm, brief pulses of energy and may notice a tingling or prickling sensation — most clients find it well-tolerated.
After your session: You can resume normal activities immediately. Some clients experience mild tenderness when chewing or pressing on the treated area for a day or two — this is normal and resolves on its own. There are no activity restrictions, no sun-sensitivity considerations, and no peeling or recovery period.
Does HIFU Skin Tightening hurt? Most clients describe the sensation as warm, tingling pulses with brief moments of deeper warmth. We adjust intensity throughout the session for comfort, and topical numbing is available on request. Pain medication is rarely needed.
How is HIFU different from RF microneedling or laser resurfacing? HIFU reaches deeper than radiofrequency microneedling or laser treatments, targeting the structural SMAS layer directly. RF and laser treatments work primarily on the upper layers of the skin and are excellent for texture, tone, and surface concerns. HIFU is the better choice when the concern is deeper structural laxity rather than surface quality.
How long do results last? With healthy skin and consistent skincare, HIFU results typically last 12 to 24 months. Maintenance sessions every 12 to 18 months extend and refresh results over time.
Will I look “done” after HIFU? No. HIFU produces a gradual, natural lift over months, not an overnight transformation. The results are subtle and structural — friends and family may notice that you look refreshed without being able to identify why.
At what age should I start HIFU? Most clients begin HIFU in their 30s, 40s, or 50s, when early signs of laxity start to appear along the jawline, neck, or brow. There is no universal “right” age — the right time is when you start to see structural softening and want to address it before it progresses.
Lift, firm, and rejuvenate without surgery. 18 Spa is Loveland’s RN-led medical spa for non-surgical skin tightening — trusted by clients across Northern Colorado for natural, 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
