
HIFU Non-Surgical Facelift
Melbourne & Geelong

Sagging skin, loss of definition, gravity taking over. Sound familiar? HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is the non-surgical answer to a facelift, and it's the treatment our clients say they wish they'd found sooner.
At St James Aesthetics, we use advanced 12D HIFU technology to reach the same deep tissue layers a surgeon would (the SMAS layer) without a single incision. The result is tighter, lifted, more contoured skin that continues improving for months after your session.
No needles. No downtime.
Just visible, natural-looking lift from day one.
We offer HIFU face and body treatments at our clinics in Camberwell, Moonee Ponds, and Geelong.
HIFU stands for High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound. It works by delivering precise ultrasound energy deep beneath the skin's surface, targeting the SMAS layer (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System). This is the same tissue layer that surgeons reposition during a traditional facelift.
When this energy reaches the SMAS layer, it triggers a natural healing response. Your body produces fresh collagen and elastin, which gradually tightens, lifts, and firms the treated area over the following weeks and months.
Our 12D HIFU technology targets multiple tissue depths in a single session, from 1.5mm to 13mm, allowing your clinician to treat superficial fine lines and deep structural laxity at the same time. Unlike older HIFU devices that treat one layer at a time, 12D delivers more comprehensive results in fewer sessions.
The entire process is non-invasive. There are no incisions, no needles, and no anaesthesia required.
How Does HIFU Work?

What Does HIFU Treat?
Face & Neck
HIFU is most commonly used to treat visible signs of ageing across the face and neck, including sagging cheeks and jowls, loss of jawline definition, fine lines and deep wrinkles, loose skin under the chin and neck, hooded eyelids and drooping brows, and nasolabial folds (smile lines).
Many of our clients describe it as the treatment that gave them back the face shape they had five or ten years ago, without anyone knowing they'd had anything done.
Body
HIFU isn't just for the face. Our body HIFU treatments target skin laxity and stubborn fat on the arms and bingo wings, abdomen and stomach, inner and outer thighs, love handles, bra line, and above the knees.
Body HIFU works particularly well for clients who are close to their goal weight but dealing with loose skin or pockets of fat that won't respond to diet and exercise alone.
Our HIFU Approach — Why We Do It Differently
Most clinics offer HIFU as a single high-intensity session. We don't. And here's why.
A single aggressive HIFU treatment can cause fat volume loss, particularly in the face. When ultrasound energy is delivered too aggressively, it doesn't just stimulate collagen. It can melt fat cells, leading to a hollow, aged appearance that's the opposite of what you came in for.
At St James Aesthetics, we take a progressive approach. Instead of one strong treatment, we deliver HIFU across 6 sessions, spaced 4 weeks apart. Each session stimulates a new wave of collagen regeneration, and over the course of the program, your skin's structural support completely rebuilds. Layer by layer, session by session.
The result is dramatically improved skin quality, tightness, and lift, without the risk of volume loss. It's a slower process, but the outcome is significantly better and longer-lasting.
Treatment Options
Standard HIFU Program | $1,550 per session
Our Standard HIFU program delivers a gentle but progressive lift, stimulating up to 13% new collagen production per session. Ideal for clients with mild to moderate laxity who want to rebuild their skin's foundation safely and sustainably.
Best suited for clients in their 30s and 40s who are starting to notice early signs of gravity, or as a maintenance program following a Maxi HIFU course.
Maxi HIFU Program — $2,195 per session
Our most advanced HIFU program. Each Maxi session stimulates up to 30% collagen regeneration, delivering stronger lift and tighter contours with each visit, particularly around the jawline, chin, and neck.
Not sure which option is right for you? Your clinician will assess your skin during your consultation and recommend the treatment level that will give you the best result for your specific concerns.
The 5 to 10 Year Younger Program: HIFU + CO2 Laser
For clients who want a comprehensive age-reversal result, we've developed our signature 5 to 10 Year Younger Program, combining progressive HIFU with CO2 fractional laser resurfacing.
Here's how it works:
HIFU rebuilds the deep structural layers of your skin. It lifts, tightens, and restores the collagen scaffolding that holds everything in place. Over 6 sessions, your skin's support system is completely regenerated.
CO2 fractional laser resurfaces the top layers. It smooths fine lines, reduces pigmentation, improves texture, and stimulates surface-level collagen renewal.
When combined, you're treating the skin from the inside out AND the outside in. The deep structural lift from HIFU plus the surface renewal from CO2 creates a result that our clients consistently describe as looking 5 to 10 years younger. Naturally, and without surgery.
This program is tailored to your skin's specific needs. Your clinician will design a treatment schedule that alternates HIFU and CO2 sessions based on your skin assessment, your goals, and your downtime preferences.
This is our most transformative offering, and the reason many of our clients say they'll never consider surgical intervention.
What Happens During a HIFU Treatment?
Before your session
Your clinician will cleanse your skin and apply an ultrasound gel to the treatment area. They'll assess your skin using clinical measurement tools to map the areas that need the most attention. This is why every HIFU treatment at St James Aesthetics is customised, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
During the treatment:
You'll feel a warm sensation and intermittent tingling as the ultrasound energy is delivered beneath your skin. Most clients describe it as comfortable. Some areas are more sensitive than others, particularly around the jawline and forehead, but it's very manageable.
A Standard HIFU session typically takes 45 to 60 minutes. Maxi HIFU can take up to 60 to 90 minutes depending on the areas being treated.
Immediately after:
There's no downtime. You can return to normal activities, apply makeup, and go about your day. Some clients experience mild redness or slight tenderness, which typically resolves within a few hours.
HIFU Results: What to Expect
With our progressive 6-session approach, you'll notice improvements building with each visit. Many clients see a visible difference after their second or third session, with the full transformation becoming apparent over the following months as collagen continues to regenerate between appointments.
Results continue to improve for up to 6 months after your final session, with many clients reporting that they look better at the 3 month mark than they did immediately after completing the program.
How long do HIFU results last?
Results typically last 12 to 18 months, depending on your skin condition, age, and lifestyle. Many of our clients book an annual maintenance session to sustain their results. Think of it as a yearly reset for your skin's structural support.
Why 6 sessions instead of one?
Because collagen doesn't rebuild overnight. Each session adds another layer of regeneration, and the cumulative result is dramatically better (and safer) than a single aggressive treatment. You're rebuilding your skin's entire support structure, not just giving it a temporary tighten.
Is HIFU Right for You?
HIFU is ideal for adults aged 30 and over who are noticing skin laxity, loss of facial definition, or early signs of sagging, and want to address it without surgery, needles, or downtime.
You're a great candidate for HIFU if you:
Are noticing your jawline isn't as sharp as it used to be
Feel like your face looks "tired" even when you're well rested
Want a non-surgical alternative to a facelift
Have mild to advanced skin laxity on the face, neck, or body
Want to maintain results from a previous cosmetic treatment
Prefer a treatment with zero downtime
HIFU may not be suitable if you:
Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Have active skin infections or open wounds in the treatment area
Have metallic implants in the treatment zone
Not sure? Book a consultation at any of our clinics and your clinician will let you know whether HIFU is the right treatment for your goals.
Why Choose St James Aesthetics for HIFU?
We've performed thousands of HIFU treatments across our three clinics and it remains one of the most requested treatments we offer. Because it works, and our clients keep coming back.
Experienced clinicians:
Our team is highly trained in precision-based HIFU delivery. Every treatment is customised to your skin type, laxity level, and aesthetic goals. We don't do cookie-cutter treatments.
A progressive, safer approach:
Our 6-session protocol rebuilds your collagen completely while protecting against the fat volume loss that single-session HIFU treatments can cause. We prioritise your long-term result, not a quick fix.
Advanced 12D technology:
We use the latest generation 12D HIFU devices, which target up to 12 tissue depths in a single session, delivering more comprehensive results than older machines that treat just 2 or 3 layers.
Three convenient locations:
Whether you're in Melbourne's inner east, the north-west, or regional Victoria, we have a clinic near you. Camberwell, Moonee Ponds, and Geelong.
Real results, not promises:
Scroll down to see genuine before-and-after photos from our clients. What you see is what you can expect.
Real HIFU Results from Our Clients






Book Your HIFU Consultation
Ready to see what HIFU can do for you? Book your consultation at any of our three locations and your clinician will create a personalised treatment plan based on your skin, your goals, and your budget.
Camberwell — 524 Riversdale Rd, Camberwell VIC 3124
Moonee Ponds — 171 Pascoe Vale Rd, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039
Geelong — 75 Malop St, Geelong VIC 3220
