Dr. Karen Soh on HIFU & Ultherapy | AURA Clinic Singapore - Medical Aesthetics & Skin Care Clinic in Singapore

AURA Clinic Founder & Medical Director Dr. Karen Soh speaks with NUYOU Singapore about focused ultrasound treatments, patient suitability and the importance of informed aesthetic treatment decisions.

As aesthetic technologies continue to evolve, understanding what a treatment does, who it may be suitable for and what patients can realistically expect is an important part of making an informed decision.

In a recent interview with NUYOU Singapore, Dr. Karen Soh, Founder & Medical Director of AURA Clinic, shared her medical perspective on HIFU and Ultherapy, two non-invasive ultrasound-based approaches commonly discussed in relation to skin lifting and tightening.

Understanding HIFU and Ultherapy

In the interview, Dr. Karen explains how focused ultrasound energy is used to target deeper tissue layers and stimulate the body’s natural collagen response.

She also discusses an important distinction between general HIFU technologies and Ultherapy, including Ultherapy’s real-time imaging capability, which allows the treating doctor to visualise tissue layers and guide energy delivery during treatment.

But understanding the technology is only one part of the treatment decision.

Technology Should Come After Patient Assessment

For Dr. Karen, choosing an aesthetic treatment should not begin simply with selecting a device.

A patient’s skin condition, degree of laxity, facial characteristics, treatment goals and expectations should first be considered before determining whether a particular approach may be suitable.

This reflects Dr. Karen’s broader philosophy at AURA Clinic: Aesthetic treatment should begin with understanding the patient rather than following the latest technology or trend.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Dr. Karen also highlights the importance of realistic expectations when considering non-invasive skin tightening treatments.

While focused ultrasound treatments may help improve skin laxity and support gradual tightening, they should not be viewed as equivalent to surgical lifting procedures.

Treatment response and longevity can also vary between individuals depending on factors such as age, skin condition, lifestyle and the natural ageing process.

Understanding these differences helps patients make treatment decisions based on what may realistically be achievable for them.

A Considered Approach to Ageing Well

For Dr. Karen, ageing well is not about choosing the most aggressive treatment or trying every new technology available.

It is about understanding what is changing, identifying what genuinely needs to be addressed and selecting an approach that is appropriate for the individual.

Technology provides options. Medical assessment helps determine when and how those options should be used.

This philosophy continues to guide Dr. Karen’s approach to personalised aesthetic medicine at AURA Clinic Singapore.

Read the Full NUYOU Interview

Read Dr. Karen Soh’s full interview with NUYOU Singapore, where she discusses HIFU, Ultherapy, treatment considerations, expected outcomes and what patients should understand before undergoing treatment.

Published by NUYOU Singapore | 9 September 2026

This article summarises topics discussed in Dr. Karen Soh’s interview with NUYOU Singapore. For the complete original interview, please refer to the NUYOU Singapore publication.

FAQs About HIFU & Ultherapy

Both HIFU and Ultherapy use focused ultrasound energy to target deeper tissue layers. One key distinction is that Ultherapy incorporates real-time ultrasound imaging, allowing the treating doctor to visualise tissue layers and guide energy delivery during treatment.

Ultherapy is commonly considered for concerns related to skin laxity and may be used to support gradual lifting and tightening. Whether it is suitable depends on the individual’s facial characteristics, skin condition and treatment goals.

Suitability cannot be determined by treatment popularity alone. A medical consultation allows the doctor to assess your skin, facial characteristics, degree of laxity and expectations before recommending an appropriate approach.

No. Ultherapy is a non-surgical ultrasound-based treatment and should not be considered equivalent to a surgical facelift. The degree of improvement and individual response can vary, so realistic expectations are important when considering treatment.

Not necessarily. Technology is only one part of the treatment decision. Dr. Karen Soh’s approach is to first understand the patient’s concerns, facial characteristics, skin condition and expectations before determining which treatment may be appropriate.