At 18 Spa in Loveland, CO, our body contouring service uses High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) to lift loose skin, tighten lax tissue, and sculpt stubborn areas — without incisions, anesthesia, or the downtime of surgical procedures.
Led by Kelly Wiechert, RN, every HIFU session at 18 Spa is performed by a licensed medical professional with clinical-grade technology. Whether you are looking to firm post-weight-loss skin, soften the appearance of jowls, or smooth stubborn pockets of fat, HIFU offers a single, science-backed pathway to real results.
We serve clients throughout Loveland, Berthoud, Johnstown, Greeley, Windsor, Fort Collins, and Northern Colorado.
We offer two HIFU treatment pathways, each calibrated for a different concern. Both are performed in-house by our RN team using the same advanced ultrasound platform, with treatment depth and intensity matched to the area being treated.
HIFU Skin Tightening & Lifting → A non-surgical lifting treatment for the face, jawline, neck, and décolletage. HIFU stimulates deep collagen production and tightens the SMAS layer (the same connective tissue surgeons reposition during a facelift), producing a firmer, more lifted appearance over 2 to 6 months. Ideal for clients who want anti-aging results without the downtime, scarring, or commitment of a surgical lift.
HIFU Body Contouring → A non-surgical body sculpting treatment for the abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms, and knees. HIFU targets the deeper layers of subcutaneous tissue to break down localized fat deposits and tighten skin in the same session. Ideal for clients with stubborn pockets of fat that resist diet and exercise, or those tightening loose skin after significant weight loss.
Not sure which is right for you? We will assess the area you want to address during your consultation and recommend the treatment best suited to your goals.
HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is an FDA-cleared aesthetic technology that delivers focused ultrasound energy beneath the skin’s surface to precise tissue depths. Unlike lasers or radiofrequency, which act primarily on the upper layers of the skin, HIFU bypasses the surface entirely and concentrates its energy at the dermis and deeper structural layers — where collagen, elastin, and connective tissue live.
The ultrasound energy creates microscopic points of thermal coagulation in the targeted layer. These tiny zones trigger the body’s natural healing response: new collagen and elastin production, gradual tissue contraction, and structural reorganization. Over the weeks and months following treatment, the treated area becomes firmer, tighter, and more sculpted.
Because the energy is delivered below the skin and does not damage the surface, HIFU produces meaningful structural results with no incisions, no recovery period, and no visible signs that you have had a treatment.
Step 1: Consultation Kelly assesses the area you want to treat, reviews your medical history, and confirms that HIFU is appropriate for your skin type and goals. We discuss realistic expectations, the typical timeline for results, and any preparation steps required before your session.
Step 2: Treatment Mapping Before your session begins, we map the treatment area and mark the zones to be addressed. This grid system ensures consistent, even coverage and allows us to deliver the right energy levels to each region of the face or body.
Step 3: HIFU Session A specialized handpiece is moved across the treatment area, delivering precisely targeted ultrasound pulses to the depth required for your concern. Most clients feel a warm, prickling sensation during treatment. Sessions typically run 30 to 90 minutes depending on the size of the area treated.
Step 4: Gradual Results You will leave your appointment with no visible swelling, redness, or downtime. The collagen-building response begins within days, with visible firming and tightening developing gradually over the following 2 to 6 months as new tissue forms.
Step 5: Maintenance Planning Most clients see optimal results from a single HIFU session per area, with maintenance treatments recommended every 12 to 18 months to preserve and extend results. We build a long-term plan tailored to your goals at your follow-up.
HIFU body contouring is well-suited for:
HIFU may not be appropriate if you have severe skin laxity that requires surgical correction, active skin infections in the treatment area, metallic implants in the treatment zone, or certain medical conditions affecting connective tissue. We review all of this at your consultation.
Body contouring technology is only as effective as the clinical judgment behind it. Many providers offer HIFU as a stand-alone service performed by aesthetic technicians with limited medical training. At 18 Spa, every HIFU session is performed or directly supervised by Kelly Wiechert, RN, whose ICU nursing background brings a fundamentally different level of anatomical knowledge and clinical care to aesthetic medicine.
When you choose 18 Spa for body contouring, you receive:
18 Spa has earned a perfect 5.0-star rating from 114 clients across Northern Colorado — the result of consistently delivering safe, natural-looking results.
Does HIFU hurt? Most clients find HIFU well-tolerated. The sensation is described as a warm, prickling feeling at each ultrasound pulse, with brief moments of deeper warmth in denser tissue areas. We adjust intensity throughout the session for comfort, and most clients require no numbing or pain medication.
How many sessions will I need? Most clients achieve their goal with a single HIFU session per area. In some cases — particularly for clients with more pronounced laxity or larger treatment zones — a second session at 2 to 3 months may be recommended. Maintenance is typically once every 12 to 18 months.
When will I see results? You may notice initial firmness within 2 to 4 weeks, but the most significant changes develop gradually over 2 to 6 months as new collagen forms. Final results are typically assessed at the 6-month mark.
How long do HIFU results last? With healthy skin and consistent skin care, HIFU results typically last 12 to 24 months. We recommend maintenance sessions to extend and refresh your results over time.
Is HIFU safer than surgery? 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 body contouring or facelift surgery. That said, HIFU is a medical-grade treatment and should always be performed in a clinical setting by a qualified provider.
Can HIFU replace a facelift or surgical body contouring? HIFU is not a one-to-one replacement for surgery. For clients with severe skin laxity or significant tissue volume to remove, surgery may produce more dramatic results. HIFU is ideal for clients with mild to moderate concerns who want real, visible improvement without surgery — or for clients who are not yet ready for a surgical step.
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
