Lifting procedures range from heat-based methods such as radiofrequency and ultrasound to thread lifts that pull tissue directly. But if your skin has lost elasticity and your facial contour has softened, and you find strong heat or stimulation uncomfortable and want a more natural improvement in skin condition, LEFINAS lifting with extracorporeal shockwave energy is one option. LEFINAS is a non-invasive method that delivers shockwave energy into the skin, physically stimulating the skin, subcutaneous tissue and fascia, with the aim of improving elasticity, contour and skin texture. Studies of shockwave-based facial lifting have also observed improvements in sagging and skin texture.
Contents
- What is LEFINAS lifting?
- How does LEFINAS stimulate the skin?
- Is it right for skin that has started to lose elasticity and sag?
- Can it help when the jawline looks soft?
- Does it work for skin texture and fine lines?
- Is it right for a face that swells easily?
- Is it an alternative if heat-based lifting feels like too much?
- What are the advantages of LEFINAS lifting?
- How do skin changes appear after LEFINAS lifting?
- LEFINAS lifting: common myths and facts
What is LEFINAS lifting?
LEFINAS lifting is a non-invasive lifting procedure that uses extracorporeal shockwave energy. It involves no incision or needles; instead, shockwave energy is delivered to physically stimulate the skin, subcutaneous tissue and fascia. This differs from typical heat-based lifting, which heats the skin to contract tissue. Rather than simply pulling the skin upward, LEFINAS is closer to a lifting method that stimulates tissue beneath the skin to improve elasticity and contour. It is especially useful in the early stages of aging, when sagging is not yet severe and you want to manage skin condition while naturally refining your facial contour.
How does LEFINAS stimulate the skin?
LEFINAS delivers extracorporeal shockwave energy to the skin, giving the tissue a physical stimulus. Shockwave-based aesthetic treatment has been studied as a way to deliver mechanical stimulation to skin tissue and induce regenerative responses and microcirculation, and studies applying it to facial lifting have observed improvements in elasticity, texture and facial contour. What sets LEFINAS apart is its use of this physical stimulus. Unlike methods that generate strong heat, it works by delivering wave energy deep into the tissue to stimulate the skin.
In a study of extracorporeal acoustic wave therapy for cellulite, skin elasticity improved by 73% at the end of treatment and by 105% at 6 months, and collagen and elastic fiber density in the dermis increased.[1]
Is it right for skin that has started to lose elasticity and sag?
If you notice in the mirror that your skin sags more than before and your jawline is starting to blur, LEFINAS lifting is worth considering. With age, collagen and elastic fibers in the skin decrease, so the skin is no longer firmly supported and begins to sag. These changes often appear first around the nasolabial folds, cheeks and jawline. LEFINAS can be used as a non-surgical lift that delivers energy into the tissue to encourage better elasticity, instead of cutting away skin or pulling it with threads. It is a good fit for early loss of elasticity — "not yet at the point of surgical lifting, but my skin feels looser than before."
In a study analyzing the face with 3D imaging after acoustic wave therapy, 79% were rated "good" or better, the effect lasted up to 12 months, and side effects were mild and temporary.[2]
Can it help when the jawline looks soft?
A soft facial contour does not necessarily mean more fat. When the skin and subcutaneous tissue lose elasticity and tissue shifts downward, the facial borders blur, the jawline softens and the lower cheeks look heavy. LEFINAS lifting aims to improve contour and tissue elasticity by delivering shockwaves to several tissue layers of the face rather than just pulling the surface. It is especially useful when the cheeks and jawline look heavy overall and the face has lost definition, as a way to manage both skin elasticity and tissue movement.
Related readingUsing LEFINAS for post-surgical swelling is covered in "LEFINAS for hard post-surgical swelling and pain: a recovery guide" (Korean).
Does it work for skin texture and fine lines?
Beyond refining the facial contour, LEFINAS can be used to manage skin elasticity and texture. As skin ages, collagen and elastic fibers decrease, making the skin feel thinner and rougher and fine lines more visible. Areas that move repeatedly, such as around the eyes, mouth and cheeks, show fine lines more. By delivering shockwave energy to stimulate the tissue, LEFINAS can help firm skin that has lost elasticity and smooth its texture. So if your face is not badly sagging but your skin feels weak overall, with fine lines and rough texture, it can be a way to address contour and skin condition together.
Is it right for a face that swells easily?
Some people find their face swells easily in the morning, or their jawline never quite sharpens through the day. When the cheeks and jaw feel heavy, the overall impression can look duller than the actual face size. LEFINAS stimulates the skin and subcutaneous tissue with shockwave energy, helping manage contour and skin condition together. If loss of elasticity comes with easy swelling and a blurred jawline, it can help firm the skin and create a cleaner contour. Especially if your weight has not changed much but your face swells often and your lower cheeks or jawline look heavy, it can be a lifting option that addresses both elasticity and facial swelling.
Is it an alternative if heat-based lifting feels like too much?
Some people want a lifting procedure but worry about strong heat or stimulation. Unlike lifting that relies mainly on heat energy, such as radiofrequency or ultrasound, LEFINAS uses the physical energy of extracorporeal shockwaves. Its mechanism is therefore different from lifting that contracts the skin through thermal injury. Because it is non-invasive, it also carries less burden than surgical lifting that requires incisions or threads. LEFINAS suits people who find strongly heated procedures uncomfortable or who want to manage skin elasticity more naturally.
What are the advantages of LEFINAS lifting?
The key feature of LEFINAS is that it stimulates tissue with shockwave energy rather than heat. Being non-invasive, it needs no incision and does not significantly damage the skin surface. Another advantage is that it can address several concerns at once — elasticity and sagging as well as contour, texture, fine lines and facial swelling. It is particularly suitable when you want to refine your contour naturally by improving tissue elasticity and condition, rather than pulling the whole face hard for an artificial change.
How do skin changes appear after LEFINAS lifting?
After LEFINAS lifting, the expected change is a gradual refinement of contour and skin condition rather than one strong pull. Right after treatment the face may feel lighter and less swollen, and over time skin elasticity and texture improve so that the jawline and cheek contour look cleaner. Especially when sagging is not severe, steady elasticity management that builds natural change is more suitable than one strong change.
LEFINAS lifting: common myths and facts
| What many people think… | What the evidence shows |
|---|---|
| "Shockwave therapy tightens the skin with heat." | It triggers a tissue response with acoustic wave energy, not heat. |
| "One session fixes sagging." | In studies, changes appeared over several sessions. |
| "LEFINAS is enough even for severe sagging." | With significant sagging, a thread lift or facelift may be a better fit. |
In LEFINAS consultations I ask whether you have had long-lasting redness or pain after heat-based lifting. For these patients, the acoustic wave approach can be a lower-burden choice.
LEFINAS lifting is a non-invasive lift that physically stimulates the skin, subcutaneous tissue and fascia with extracorporeal shockwave energy. It can be used when the facial contour has started to blur with loss of elasticity, when the lower cheeks and jawline look heavy, or when fine lines and poorer texture appear together. It is especially useful if you want a different kind of energy than heat-based lifting, or want to manage elasticity without incisions or threads. If you want to manage tissue elasticity, contour and texture together rather than simply pulling sagging skin upward, LEFINAS can be one non-surgical option.
🔬 Supporting research
Peer-reviewed international journal articles that support this article. Click a title to open the PubMed abstract.
- Aesthetic surgery journal 2008 — extracorporeal acoustic wave therapy for cellulite Improvement in skin elasticity in the treatment of cellulite and connective tissue weakness by means of extracorporeal pulse activation therapy. Key finding: skin elasticity improved 73% at end of treatment In text [1] · PMID 19083577 · DOI
- Lasers in surgery and medicine 2021 — facial acoustic wave therapy, 3D analysis Facial Tightening Effects, Following Focused and Radial Acoustic Wave Therapy Assessment, Using a Three-Dimensional Digital Imaging. Key finding: 79% good or better, lasting 12 months In text [2] · PMID 33211338 · DOI
🎬 Watch — Dr. Park Seong-Soo · BongBong Plastic Surgery
Related videos from BongBong Plastic Surgery's official channel and Dr. Park Seong-Soo's channel. Videos are in Korean and play on YouTube.
See the full video archive (Korean) →
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Which skin concerns is LEFINAS lifting for?
It can be used when loss of elasticity and facial sagging have begun. It is also used to manage elasticity when the jawline blurs, the lower cheeks look heavy, and fine lines and poorer texture appear together.
Is LEFINAS the same as Ulthera or Thermage?
No. LEFINAS uses extracorporeal shockwave energy, while Ulthera and Thermage use ultrasound and radiofrequency respectively. Because the energy differs, the way stimulation is delivered to the skin differs too.
Can LEFINAS be used for severe sagging?
LEFINAS is a non-invasive lift well suited to early-to-moderate loss of elasticity and contour management. When the skin is very loose or sagging is severe, a stronger correction such as surgical lifting may be needed.
Will my face look smaller right after LEFINAS?
As swelling goes down after treatment, the contour can look cleaner. Contour improvement then continues as skin elasticity and tissue condition are refined.
Does LEFINAS help with skin texture and fine lines?
Yes. LEFINAS can be used to improve skin elasticity and texture as well as facial contour.
Is LEFINAS lifting heat-free?
LEFINAS does not rely mainly on heat energy like radiofrequency or lasers; it uses the physical energy of extracorporeal shockwaves. Sensations during treatment vary from person to person, but the principle differs from methods that create thermal injury with strong heat.
📖 References
Click a [number] in the text to jump to its source, and ↩ to return. Only papers whose title, journal and year were verified on PubMed are listed.
- ↩ Christ C, Brenke R, Sattler G, Siems W, Novak P, Daser A. Improvement in skin elasticity in the treatment of cellulite and connective tissue weakness by means of extracorporeal pulse activation therapy. Aesthet Surg J. 2008;28(5):538-44.PMID 19083577 · DOI— extracorporeal acoustic wave therapy for cellulite — skin elasticity improved 73% at end of treatment
- ↩ Kimura K, Tanaka Y. Facial Tightening Effects, Following Focused and Radial Acoustic Wave Therapy Assessment, Using a Three-Dimensional Digital Imaging. Lasers Surg Med. 2021;53(5):630-639.PMID 33211338 · DOI— facial acoustic wave therapy, 3D analysis — 79% good or better, lasting 12 months
BongBong Plastic Surgery · Dr. Park Seong-Soo, Medical Director
Contact us for a consultation