HIFU Skin Tightening in St Ives
HIFU uses focused ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen deep beneath the skin, gently lifting and firming without surgery. At Avismo in St Ives we offer HIFU for the face, neck, eyes and body.
- From
- £295
- Appointment
- 45 to 90 minutes, depending on area
- Results
- Build gradually over 8 to 12 weeks
- Lasts
- Generally 9 to 12 months
- Downtime
- Minimal, most return to normal activities straight away
How HIFU works
HIFU stands for high intensity focused ultrasound. The device focuses ultrasound energy at precise depths beneath the skin, creating tiny points of heat in the deeper supporting layers while leaving the surface of the skin intact.
That controlled heat encourages the body to produce new collagen over the following weeks. As the collagen builds, skin gradually becomes firmer and more lifted, and contours such as the jawline and brow can look more defined.
Who HIFU is best for
HIFU is best suited to people with mild to moderate skin laxity who would like a subtle, natural lift without surgery or injections. It is commonly used on the lower face and jawline, the neck, and the brow and eye area, and can also be used on body areas.
It is not a replacement for a surgical facelift, and it works best when there is some laxity to improve rather than significant loose skin. Your consultation includes an honest assessment of what HIFU can achieve for you, and a free test patch before your first full treatment.
Results and how long they last
Results are progressive. Some people notice a slight firming soon after treatment, but the main change develops over 8 to 12 weeks as new collagen forms. Results generally last 9 to 12 months, depending on your skin and the natural ageing process.
Many people choose a single treatment and then repeat it once a year to maintain their results. HIFU can also be combined with skin treatments such as SkinPen or polynucleotides, which improve the surface quality of the skin while HIFU works on firmness.
HIFU at our St Ives clinic
HIFU at Avismo is carried out by Andrea, a registered nurse with more than 40 years of healthcare experience, including in dermatology, or by Lorna, an HCPC-registered operating department practitioner. Treatment areas and prices are clear from the start, beginning at £295 for the lower face, neck, or eyes and forehead.
Our clinic on Edison Road is an easy drive from Huntingdon, St Neots and Cambridge. Your first step is a free consultation and test patch.
Results
4 sets, real patients, consented
On the day
What happens at your appointment
- 01 We confirm your medical history, agree the treatment areas and check the results of your test patch.
- 02 Your skin is cleansed and the treatment areas are mapped out.
- 03 A layer of ultrasound gel is applied and the HIFU handpiece is passed over each area in lines.
- 04 You will feel warmth and brief tingling or prickling as the energy is delivered, and we check your comfort throughout.
- 05 The gel is removed and you can usually return to your normal day straight away, with written aftercare to take home.
Safety
What you need to know before HIFU Skin Tightening
Every treatment carries risk. Nothing here replaces the consultation, where all of this is discussed with you before you consent to anything.
Not suitable if
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- A pacemaker or other implanted electronic device
- Metal implants in the treatment area
- Open wounds, active infection or severe active acne in the treatment area
- Recent dermal filler or thread treatments in the area, assessed individually
- Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) in the last six months
Common and expected
- Temporary redness and warmth, usually settling within hours
- Minor swelling or slight soreness for a few days
- Tingling or tenderness when touching the treated area
Serious risks
Serious side effects are uncommon when HIFU is carried out by a trained practitioner. Rare risks include small superficial burns or blistering, temporary numbness or nerve irritation that can cause short-term weakness in facial movement, and bruising. These are reduced by a thorough consultation, a test patch, careful mapping of the face to avoid sensitive areas and appropriate energy settings. Please contact us straight away if you notice anything unexpected after treatment.
Aftercare
- Keep your skin cool and avoid hot baths, saunas and steam rooms for 24 to 48 hours
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours
- Use a gentle cleanser and moisturiser for the first few days
- Avoid acids, retinoids and exfoliants for around five days
- Avoid other facial treatments over the area for two weeks unless advised otherwise
- Wear a broad-spectrum SPF every day
Full HIFU Skin Tightening aftercare guide · All aftercare guides
HIFU Skin Tightening
| Consultation and test patch | Free |
| Lower face | £295 |
| Neck | £295 |
| Eyes and forehead | £295 |
| Lower face and neck | £395 |
| Full face | £425 |
| Full face and neck | £495 |
| Body (one treatment area) | £550 |
Consultations are free. Booking and payment are handled through our secure online booking system. Full price list.
Questions
Does HIFU hurt?
Most people feel mild to moderate discomfort, described as warmth or tingling as the energy is delivered. Areas over bone, such as the jawline, can feel more intense, and your practitioner can adjust as you go.
When will I see results from HIFU?
Results build gradually over 8 to 12 weeks as new collagen forms. They generally last 9 to 12 months, depending on your skin and natural ageing.
Is there any downtime?
Very little. You may have some redness, minor swelling or soreness for hours to a few days, but most people return to normal activities straight away.
Why do I need a test patch?
A test patch lets us check how your skin responds before your first full treatment. It is included free with your HIFU consultation.
Is HIFU the same as a facelift?
No. HIFU gives a subtle, gradual lift and firming for mild to moderate laxity. It will not give the same result as surgery, and we will be honest at your consultation if another approach would suit you better.
Do I need a consultation first?
Your consultation is free and there is no obligation to go ahead. It is where we check your medical history, talk through what you would like to change, and agree a plan together.
Do you see clients from Huntingdon, St Neots and Cambridge?
Yes. Avismo is on Edison Road in St Ives, and many of our clients travel in from Huntingdon, which is roughly 15 minutes away by car, and from St Neots and Cambridge, which are around 30 minutes. We also see a lot of people from the villages around St Ives, including Hemingford Grey, Houghton, Fenstanton and Somersham. Appointments can be booked online at a time that suits your journey.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please give at least 48 hours notice if you need to move or cancel your appointment, so the time can be offered to someone else. Deposits and late-cancellation terms are explained when you book through our online booking system.
Your practitioners
Looked after by the Avismo team
Every practitioner here is a registered healthcare professional, trained in this treatment and working to the same clinical standards, so you are in safe hands whoever you see.
Lorna
Operating Department Practitioner
An HCPC registered Operating Department Practitioner with more than 19 years in healthcare, who joined the team in May 2025.
Andrea
Registered Nurse and Medical Acupuncturist
A registered nurse with more than 40 years of experience, offering medical acupuncture and our skin, laser and body treatments.
Avismo Skin
From the Avismo Skin range
Home skincare from the clinic's own range. We can tell you at a free skincare consultation which, if any, suit your skin.
Client reviews
Rated 5.0 on Google by 93 clients
I’ve recently had a skin booster with Karen and have most definitely seen a difference. Karen has treatments to suit everyone so highly recommend her as there is absolutely no pressure. You always leave feeling good.
Karen was warm, professional, and very knowledgeable. She explained everything clearly, which made me feel comfortable and confident throughout the treatment. I had microneedling and am so far pleased with the results. I was looking for a more natural way to rejuvenate my skin, and this feels like exactly the right treatment for me. Thank you, Karen!
Karen is extremely knowledgeable and friendly, she has given me a variety of aesthetic treatments over the years and I have always been very pleased with the results. She has also advised me about skin care regimes to help optimise results.
I went through crytherapy treatment for skin tags on my face and chest area twice now with Karen. Both times the marks disappeared without a trace. The treatment is not painful at all however it could be a little unpleasant but Karen made it easier and more bearable with her professional approach and lovely personality. I will definitely recommend this place to everyone who wants professional support on affordable price.
Karen has done facial peels and also micro needling for me for over a year and I have been delighted with the results every time. She is a highly qualified nurse prescriber and, working in the NHS myself, I feel huge confidence in her skills and knowledge, and feel very safe in her hands.
I would highly recommend Karen at Avismo Aesthetics. She is very friendly, professional and extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of skincare and treatments. Already booked in for my next appointment!
Excellent friendly service with Lorna, the clinic is spotlessly clean and I’m always happy with the results. Thank you!!
I’ve tried laser hair removal at other places before, but this has by far been the best and most effective experience! I’ve noticed a real difference from my very first session. The space is incredibly clean and calming, and Andrea provides such a professional and thorough service, always making me feel comfortable and at ease. Highly recommend!
The team here are so fantastic. They’re so good at identifying the specific treatment plan you need, and Lorna always does the best job, I wouldn’t go anywhere else!
Had HIFU with Andrea. Felt very cared for and informed, the full face and neck treatment was administered efficiently in a relaxed environment. I would recommend and will be returning to Andrea in the future.
Karen is great! Really warm, professional and I’m over the moon with the results. I will definitely be returning for future treatments.
I had a really lovely experience at this clinic. The clinic itself is spotless, welcoming and professional, and the staff are medically trained, which gives you real confidence in the care and advice you receive. What really stood out to me was the holistic approach. Rather than focusing on one specific area or simply trying to make you look younger, the advice was centred on enhancing my natural features in a way that feels right for my age. The approach is thoughtful, personalised and genuinely rooted in medical knowledge. I felt listened to, reassured and in very safe hands. I cannot recommend this clinic enough to anyone looking for a professional, considered and natural approach to aesthetics.
Had a lovely HIFU treatment with Andrea. Very friendly and professional. Was my first cosmetic treatment and couldn't have asked for a better one. Wonderful experience.
Karen is brilliant, she gave me some great advice suggesting a different area to what I thought I needed and the results were perfect! She definitely knows what she is doing and gives you choices to enhance your face. Would highly recommend her to anyone.
I felt so understood by Andrea and bonus that she has professional background of my journey. The atmosphere was relaxing and comfortable along with privacy and reassurance. I am looking forward to my next session. If anyone is considering acupuncture please come and have a chat with this team.
Karen & Lorna are truly professional, it was my first time and I can say I’m very pleased with the result! Would highly recommend!
I visited Karen for my first ever treatment. I was immediately impressed by her professionalism, knowledge, and warm welcome. I felt instantly reassured ahead of the treatment, and was extremely pleased with the results. It was a fabulous experience, in which I felt safe due to her professional background. I have already rebooked!
I have been having treatments with Karen for 8 years, she is fantastic at what she does, a complete professional. When making decisions about ‘tweakments’ you want to be sure you’re in safe hands and you absolutely would be. I have recently started my laser hair removal journey with Lorna and I cannot recommend enough, I have seen a noticeable difference from my first session. Lorna makes you feel completely comfortable and explains the whole process. Thank you dream team!
Karen listens to concerns and the objective desired, discusses the treatment options available and their outcome, she did not just advise the most expensive! Karen made me feel at ease, I will definitely be revisiting!
Always a great experience having a treatment. Karen listens and advises, puts you at ease and is so knowledgeable. She’s the best around if you’re hoping for natural looking enhancements. Extremely happy with the results, I wouldn’t go anywhere else.
Karen runs a really lovely clinic for aesthetics. I’d been wanting to give micro-needling a go for about a year and wish I hadn’t waited so long. Karen is super-professional and the procedure was not painful at all. Karen will put you at ease immediately.
I’ve been seeing Lorna for years now, and I honestly wouldn’t trust anyone else. As always, she did an amazing job with my HIFU and [anti-wrinkle] treatments. What I really appreciate is how clear and honest she is from the start—she explains exactly what to expect (and makes it clear it’s not a facelift), which I find so reassuring. The results still speak for themselves though—I’m absolutely delighted. Lorna always takes the time to understand what’s right for me and never overdoes anything, which is why I keep going back. I trust her completely, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for natural, professional results.
Really wonderful treatment with Andrea. She explained everything so well and was very thorough and professional. The place is amazing- so lovely and clean. I will definitely be back!
I can't speak highly enough of Karen. Her care, skill, medical knowledge, and eye for the aesthetic is incredible. If you're thinking of exploring injectables, go straight to this lady.
This was the first time i had ever had any treatment. The whole experience was amazing. Lorna was very professional and explained everything to me. And made me feel comfortable. I am very pleased with the results. Very pleased that those lines have gone 😊 Thank you
I had my first appointment with Lorna for [anti-wrinkle treatment], I was nervous but I was soon put at ease. The treatment was done slowly and carefully, I'm 3 days post treatment, I have no bruising and looking forward to seeing the finished result. The clinic is lovely and clean and spacious, I cant wait for my next treatment in July.
I had the most fantastic treatment with Karen. She takes her time in explaining the treatment in detail and she makes you feel comfortable and at ease. Super professional and would highly recommend Avismo.
Karen is brilliant at what she does, fills you with confidence both during and after your treatment and always has time for your queries. It's also very comforting to know that your practitioner is a trained nurse with many years of experience behind her.
Karen takes the time to listen and understand what I want from my treatment. Her clinical experience and the compassion she has for the care of her clients fulfils the 100% trust and reassurance I look for.
Not sure where to start?
Your consultation is free and there is no obligation to book anything afterwards. Tell us what you would like to change and we will talk you through the options honestly, including when the answer is to wait.