HIFU Aftercare —
Cool, Plain And Unhurried

Expect warmth and redness for a few hours, and a tender jaw. No dressing is needed, and normal daily activity is fine. The HIFU treatment page explains the plan; HIFU downtime shows how you are likely to look day by day.

Do

• Rest a clean, cool compress lightly on the cheeks or jawline when they feel warm.
• Cleanse with lukewarm water and a mild, non-foaming wash, then add a plain moisturiser.
• Take paracetamol for tenderness, if it is suitable for you.
• Follow the written aftercare you are given; it takes priority over this page.

Avoid

• Pressing, rubbing or massaging the treated lines.
• Saunas, steam rooms, hot yoga, heavy exercise and very hot water on the face.
• Alcohol for the rest of the day.
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers, unless the clinic has advised them, as they may add to bruising.

Keep heat, pressure and friction off the treated areas while tenderness fades.

• Leave facial massage alone for a few days.
• No facials, gua sha, microcurrent or home devices on the face this week.
• Waxing or threading on treated skin waits until the tenderness has gone.
• Sleep face-up while the jawline is sore (see the questions below).

Keep the routine to cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. Retinoids, exfoliating acids, vitamin C serums and scrubs stay out until the skin feels normal again, and no new active product starts in the first week.

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen each morning, reapply outdoors, and wear a hat on bright days. Heated skin reacts more readily, and in Fitzpatrick III to V skin ultraviolet light can lead to pigment change. No deliberate tanning while the face is tender.

Exercise. Walking is fine from the next day. Heavy exercise, saunas and hot yoga wait at least 24 hours, and longer if the jaw is still swollen or tender; your written aftercare sets the timing.

Swimming. Stay out of chlorinated pools until any redness has gone.

Make-up. Usually fine from the next day, once redness and warmth have calmed. Apply and remove it without rubbing, and leave it a day longer if the face is still red, warm or tender.

Your follow-up. Early firmness is not the result. Book no other energy treatment over the same areas before you are seen again at about three months.