Treatment review · 2026 Singapore prices

HIFU for Eyes Singapore

/ˈhaɪfuː aɪ/ High-intensity focused ultrasound delivered through a shallow eye cartridge to tighten the skin around the eyes

Dr Joy Koh, Editor-in-ChiefWritten by Dr Joy Koh, MBBS, Editor-in-Chief · Updated

Independent review: evidence graded A to D, 2026 Singapore prices from published clinic lists, sources listed at the end of the page.

HIFU for eyes Singapore: eyelid tightening with focused ultrasound, effect on eye bags, evidence grades and 2026 price

Overview

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for the eyes delivers points of heat into the skin around the eyes through a small, shallow cartridge, and the skin tightens as new collagen forms over the following 2 to 3 months. Singapore clinics mainly use Korean devices such as Ultraformer MPT, Ultracel Q+ and Doublo, whereas Ultherapy, a branded form of HIFU, is reviewed separately. In the main eyelid study, a single Ultraformer MPT session in 34 Korean women shortened the distance from brow to upper-lid margin by 0.94 mm at 12 weeks, and 76% of patients reported improvement (Grade C), although one author was employed by the device maker. HIFU does not remove eye-bag fat (Grade D). An eye-area session costs S$300 to 800 in 2026 and involves little downtime. Rare but serious eye injuries have been reported where the energy reached the eye.

  • Generic HIFU devices such as Ultraformer MPT, Ultracel Q+ and Doublo, fitted with a 2.0 mm eye cartridge
  • Grade C for eyelid tightening, Grade D for eye-bag fat
  • Upper-lid length (brow to lid margin) shortened by 0.94 mm at 12 weeks in a 34-patient study
  • S$300 to 800 for the eye area, S$590 to 2,000 for a full face
  • One session, repeated every 12 to 18 months
  • Eye shields required, because rare cornea, iris and lens injuries have been reported

Compare: Ultherapy vs HIFU

Introduction

HIFU is the lowest-cost energy treatment for the eye area in Singapore and is advertised for droopy eyelids, crepey under-eye skin and eye bags. This review covers the eye cartridge, the single eyelid study, the effect on eye bags, eye safety and 2026 prices.

How HIFU for the eyes tightens the skin

A HIFU device focuses ultrasound into small points of heat at a fixed depth determined by the cartridge, leaving the skin surface intact. The heat contracts the existing collagen at each point and triggers a healing response in which new collagen forms over the following 2 to 3 months, gradually tightening the tissue.

  • The eye cartridge A shallow cartridge is used around the eyes, because the lid skin is thin and the eyeball lies close beneath it. The eyelid study used a 2.0 mm, 4 MHz probe that delivered 120 shots to the area around the eye.
  • Devices in Singapore Most are Korean systems, such as Ultraformer MPT (sold as Shurink in some markets), Ultracel Q+, Doublo and Liftera. Ultraformer holds regulatory approval in Korea and the European Union.
  • Ultherapy This branded HIFU system adds live ultrasound imaging, which shows the operator the tissue layers before each pulse, and is reviewed on Ultherapy for eyes. Many clinics advertise “HIFU” without naming the machine.

HIFU eyelid lift for droopy and hooded eyelids

  • EvidenceEvidence for eyelid tightening, Grade C. In a 2026 prospective study, 34 Korean women aged 31 to 67 with mild to moderate eyelid laxity received one session of Ultraformer MPT. At 12 weeks, the mean upper-lid length, measured from the brow to the lid margin, had shortened by 0.94 mm. Improvement was reported by 76% of patients and recognised by blinded clinicians in 59%. The grade is limited to C because the study had no control group and one author was employed by the manufacturer.
  • Brow Evidence for a brow lift with focused ultrasound comes from Ultherapy studies, which measured a lift of 1.7 mm at 90 days in one study and 0.47 mm in a study of Asian patients, in whom the brow had returned to baseline by 180 days.

HIFU is suited to mild lid laxity and costs less than radiofrequency treatment such as Thermage Eyes. A lid edge that sits low over the iris indicates ptosis, a drooping of the lid usually caused by stretching or weakness of the muscle that lifts it, which skin tightening cannot correct. Ptosis treatment is covered on Sagging eyelids treatment in Singapore.

Can HIFU remove eye bags?

HIFU does not remove eye bags. Fat-type eye bags form when the fat behind the orbital septum, the sheet of tissue that holds the fat in place, bulges forward. HIFU tightens the skin and the tissue immediately beneath it, but no study has measured a reduction in this fat after HIFU (Grade D). The only objective lower-lid measurement comes from a seven-patient Ultherapy study, in which scans showed a change of about 0.5 mm in the bulge of the septum.

  • Suited to Early lower-lid laxity with little underlying fat, and maintenance of skin firmness after eye bag surgery.
  • Not suited to A visible fat bulge, which requires the fat itself to be reduced or removed, as with AGNES + Secret RF or scarless eye bag removal.

HIFU under eye for crepey skin and fine lines

The 2026 eyelid study treated both the upper and lower lids, and clinicians scored improvement in eyelid tightening, crow’s feet and overall appearance. No study has measured the effect of HIFU on fine under-eye lines specifically, so the evidence for crepey under-eye skin rests on this indirect result and remains Grade C. Options with stronger evidence for under-eye texture are compared on Sagging skin under eyes treatment.

HIFU eye lift before and after results timeline

  • Day 1 to 4 Mild pain and redness resolved within 3 to 4 days in the eyelid study.
  • 12 weeks Upper-lid length had shortened by 0.94 mm, the study’s measured result.
  • About a year Clinics usually repeat treatment every 12 to 18 months. No eyelid study has followed patients beyond 12 weeks, so the duration of the eyelid result has not been measured.

HIFU eye treatment price in Singapore (2026)

Area 2026 Singapore price
Eye area or brow and eyelids S$300 to 800
Full face S$590 to 2,000
Full face and neck S$1,800 to 2,000

HIFU is priced by the number of shots, and the device varies between clinics, so two quotes are comparable only when both name the machine and the shot count. Some published prices exclude goods and services tax (GST).

HIFU eye procedure, pain and downtime

  • Treatment Protective eye shields are placed, and the cartridge is passed in lines over the skin around the eye. Each shot produces a brief, deep prickling sensation of heat.
  • Pain Scores averaged about 4 to 5 out of 10 across 17 studies of mixed HIFU devices, and pain was mild in the eyelid study.
  • Downtime Most patients require no more than one day of downtime, although mild redness persisted for 3 to 4 days after eyelid treatment.
  • Sessions Most protocols use a single session, although one Korean face study used three sessions four weeks apart.

HIFU eye side effects and safety

  • Common Redness, swelling and tenderness are expected after treatment, and bruising or temporary numbness occurs occasionally.
  • Eye injury Four case reports describe serious eye injuries. A cataract developed within days of focused ultrasound over the eyelids and required lens surgery. Brow treatment was followed by a rise in eye pressure with iris and optic nerve injury, and a single upper-lid treatment damaged the cornea, iris and lens. In the fourth case, an Ultraformer III 2.0 mm probe used on the upper lid without eye shields left a permanent corneal scar. These injuries are rare, but the eyeball lies only a few millimetres beneath the lid surface, close to the focal depth of eye cartridges, so eye shields are used and energy is not focused over the eyeball.
  • Operator and device Generic devices deliver energy at a fixed depth without on-screen imaging, so the safety of each pass depends on the operator’s knowledge of eye-area anatomy.

HIFU vs Ultherapy, Thermage Eyes and AGNES for the eyes

HIFU Ultherapy Thermage Eyes AGNES + Secret RF
Energy Focused ultrasound Focused ultrasound with imaging Monopolar radiofrequency Needle radiofrequency
Lid skin C Not treated (brow B) B C
Eye-bag fat D D D C
Downtime None to 4 days None to 1 day 1 to 2 days 4 to 7 days
2026 Singapore price S$300 to 800 S$400 to 1,200 S$1,200 to 3,000 S$3,000 to 6,000 a course

HIFU is the lowest-cost option in this comparison and matches AGNES + Secret RF at Grade C for lid skin, whereas Thermage Eyes holds Grade B. Of the four, only AGNES + Secret RF, which heats the fat through a needle, has evidence for reducing eye-bag fat. The branded and generic devices are compared in Ultherapy vs HIFU, and every eye bag option is compared on Eye bag removal in Singapore.

Frequently asked questions about HIFU for the eyes

Can HIFU remove eye bags?


HIFU does not remove eye bags. It tightens skin, but no study has shown a reduction in eye-bag fat (Grade D). It is suited to early lower-lid laxity with little underlying fat.

How much is HIFU for the eyes in Singapore?


An eye-area HIFU session costs S$300 to 800 in Singapore in 2026, depending on the device and the number of shots. A full-face session costs S$590 to 2,000.

Does HIFU work for droopy eyelids?


HIFU has a small, measurable effect on mild lid laxity. In one 34-patient study, a single session shortened the distance from brow to upper-lid margin by 0.94 mm at 12 weeks, and 76% of patients reported improvement (Grade C). It does not raise a lid edge that droops because of ptosis, which arises in the lifting muscle rather than the skin.

Is HIFU safe around the eyes?


Case reports describe rare but serious injuries to the cornea, iris and lens after HIFU near the eyes. Safe treatment requires eye shields and a trained doctor, and energy should not be focused over the eyeball.

How often should HIFU for the eyes be done?


Most protocols use a single session, repeated every 12 to 18 months. One Korean face study used three sessions four weeks apart.

General information, not medical advice. A registered medical practitioner should be consulted before any treatment. Dark Eye Circles Singapore does not sell treatments.

Sources and price references (checked 8 October 2026)
  1. Hwang Y, et al. Efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound for treating upper and lower eyelid sagging. JPRAS Open. 2026;48:147–154. doi:10.1016/j.jpra.2025.10.036 (PMID 41438879) — Prospective cohort, 34 Korean women, one session of Ultraformer MPT, 2.0 mm 4 MHz probe, 120 shots; brow-to-upper-lid-margin length −0.94 mm at 12 weeks; lower lids also treated; improvement reported by 76% of patients and 59% of blinded clinicians; mild pain and redness for 3–4 days; one author employed by the manufacturer (Classys)
  2. Pak CS, et al. Safety and efficacy of Ulthera in the rejuvenation of aging lower eyelids: a pivotal clinical trial. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2014;38(5):861–868. doi:10.1007/s00266-014-0383-6 (PMID 25099495) — 7 patients, lower lid treated directly with 1.5 and 3.0 mm transducers; CT septal change about 0.5 mm; no adverse events
  3. Alam M, et al. Ultrasound tightening of facial and neck skin: a rater-blinded prospective cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2010;62(2):262–269. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2009.06.039 (PMID 20115948) — Rater-blinded cohort, 35 patients, mean brow lift 1.7 mm at 90 days
  4. Lu PH, et al. Quantitative Analysis of Face and Neck Skin Tightening by Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization in Asians. Dermatol Surg. 2017;43(11):1332–1338. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000001181 (PMID 28945618) — 25 Asian patients, full face and neck; brow +0.47 mm at 90 days, back to baseline at 180 days
  5. Ayatollahi A, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis of safety and efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for face and neck rejuvenation. Lasers Med Sci. 2020;35(5):1007–1024. doi:10.1007/s10103-020-02957-9 (PMID 32026164) — 17 studies, mixed devices; pain 4.2 out of 10
  6. Suh DH, et al. Intense focused ultrasound (IFUS) with a modified parameter on facial tightening: A study on its safety and efficacy. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2016;18(8):448–451. doi:10.1080/14764172.2016.1225961 (PMID 27593509) — Retrospective, 28 subjects, face, three sessions four weeks apart
  7. Classys Inc. Company history: Ultraformer MFDS approval August 2014, CE December 2014; Ultraformer MPT MFDS October 2021, CE MDR August 2025
  8. Roditi E, et al. Cataract induced by eyelid cosmetic treatment with intense focused ultrasound. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2020;46(12):e27–e29. doi:10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000357 (PMID 32818362) — Cataract within days, lens surgery required
  9. Chen Y, et al. Eye damage due to cosmetic ultrasound treatment: a case report. BMC Ophthalmol. 2018;18(1):214. doi:10.1186/s12886-018-0891-2 (PMID 30157786) — Raised eye pressure, iris and optic nerve injury after brow tightening
  10. Marafon SB, et al. Cornea opacity, uveitis with iris atrophy and lens damage following cosmetic high-intensity ultrasound of the eyelid: a case report. BMC Ophthalmol. 2023;23(1):230. doi:10.1186/s12886-023-02947-9 (PMID 37217891)
  11. Liu J, et al. Micro-Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Periocular Skin Leading to Corneal Leukoma With Iridocyclitis: A Case Report. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(12):e70601. doi:10.1111/jocd.70601 (PMID 41367308) — Ultraformer III, 2.0 mm probe on the upper lid without eye shields; permanent corneal scar
  12. HIFU eye area price: Lux Medical Aesthetic Clinic — HIFU eye lift S$300–800, before GST (checked 2026-10-05)
  13. HIFU eye area price: Medical Aesthetics (medical-aesthetics.sg) — HIFU brows and droopy eyelids S$327, single session (checked 2026-10-05)
  14. HIFU eye area price: Sozo Aesthetic Clinic — Ultraformer MPT from S$300 for smaller areas (checked 2026-10-05)
  15. HIFU price: SL Aesthetic Clinic — Ultraformer MPT face from S$1,500; face and neck from S$2,000 (checked 2026-10-08)
  16. HIFU price: Lux Medical Aesthetic Clinic — HIFU full face S$1,980, before GST (checked 2026-10-08)
  17. HIFU price: Become Aesthetics — Ultracel Q+ full face and neck S$1,800 per session (checked 2026-10-08)
  18. HIFU price: Halley Medical Aesthetics — HIFU face tightening S$590 (checked 2026-10-08)

Eye Bags in Singapore: this series

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Comparisons for eye bags:

Related: Eye bags: the complete guide · All eye bag removal options and prices
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Dark Eye Circles Singapore

Independent reviews of eye-area concerns and treatments in Singapore. Evidence graded, 2026 prices compared, sources listed.

© 2026 Dark Eye Circles SingaporeGeneral information, not medical advice. Prices checked October 2026.