Elix, HIFU or Morpheus8: How They Differ for Facial Sagging

When the face starts to look less firm, many people look for a way to improve it with no injections, no threads and no surgery. That search has a name: needle-free facial lifting. In this guide we explain what it means, how needle-free facial lifting with Elix works, and how it differs from facial HIFU and Morpheus8, two technologies we also use at Elyzea for facial sagging.

We won’t tell you which one is “the best”: each option works differently, with its own session rhythm and its own price, and results vary from person to person. What we can do is put them side by side, with our published prices, so the differences are clear before you message us.

What does “needle-free facial lifting” mean?

In aesthetic medicine, “lifting” does not always mean a surgical facelift: the word is also used for treatments that aim for a firmer, more toned face with no incisions. “Needle-free” adds one more condition: no injections, no threads and no microneedles. It is what people mean when they want to tone the face without needles or treat facial sagging without needles.

At Elyzea, two treatments for facial sagging meet that condition: Elix and facial HIFU. Morpheus8, on the other hand, does use microneedles, with sedation by an anesthesiologist included in the price. We include it in this guide because “needle-free” is a valid preference, but not the only way to decide.

How Elix works

Elix is a non-invasive, needle-free facial treatment that combines three technologies in a single session:

• High-intensity facial electromagnetic stimulation (HIFES)
• Synchronized radiofrequency
• Microcurrents

Together they tone the facial muscles and firm the skin. Results build progressively over the sessions. Elix is done once a week, and each appointment takes 1 hour. The 4-session pack takes about 4 weeks.

At Elyzea, Elix is performed by our team, following a plan set by Dra. Geldres for your case.

Elix pricing

Elix prices are fixed:

• One Elix session: S/600 (~US$171)
• Elix pack of 4 sessions: S/1,500 (~US$429)

The pack is paid in full upfront, stays valid while you come once a week, and expires after 3 months without a session. If you would rather start with a single session, that is also available.

Facial HIFU: focused ultrasound, also needle-free

HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) concentrates ultrasound energy in the deep layers of the skin, including the SMAS layer, without damaging the surface and with no incisions. The energy creates points of controlled heat that stimulate collagen production, and the effect builds progressively.

HIFU follows a very different rhythm: one session is often enough, and Dra. Geldres decides whether and when to repeat it; yearly maintenance is recommended. At Elyzea, facial HIFU is performed by Dra. Geldres herself.

Facial HIFU price: S/1,000 (~US$286) for the full face and S/1,500 (~US$429) for face + neck.

Morpheus8: microneedles with radiofrequency

Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency: microneedles enter the skin in a controlled way and deliver radiofrequency energy to the deep layers, remodeling collagen from within. Besides sagging, it works on uneven texture, enlarged pores and acne scars.

Unlike the other two options, it does use needles. The session is done with sedation by an anesthesiologist, included in the price, and Dra. Geldres performs it herself, on the original Morpheus8 by InMode. It is usually planned as 1 to 2 sessions a year, depending on the case.

Facial Morpheus8 price: S/2,000 (~US$571) for the full face and S/2,500 (~US$714) for face + neck, per session, with sedation included.

The three options side by side

This table sums up what changes from one option to another. These are differences of format — technology, needles, rhythm, price and who performs it — not a ranking of results.

How to choose?

An article can’t recommend an option for you: that depends on your face, your skin and your goals, and Dra. Geldres sets the plan. What we can do is lay out the questions that usually weigh on the decision:

• Would you rather avoid needles? Elix and facial HIFU use no needles. Morpheus8 does, with sedation by an anesthesiologist included in the price.
• What rhythm suits you? Elix is done once a week, in 1-hour appointments. With HIFU, one session is often enough. Morpheus8 is usually planned 1 to 2 times a year.
• Who will treat you? Elix is performed by our team, following a plan set by Dra. Geldres. Facial HIFU and Morpheus8 are performed by Dra. Geldres herself.
• What would you like to invest? Elix costs S/600 a session or S/1,500 for the 4-session pack. Facial HIFU, S/1,000 for the full face. Facial Morpheus8, S/2,000 for the full face per session, with sedation included.

Depending on your case, Dra. Geldres decides which option to plan, whether a combination makes sense, and in what order.

What if the sagging is more marked?

When sagging is more marked, facial surgery is also an option; at Elyzea it is performed by Dra. Geldres and Dr. Geldres, plastic surgeons. A few examples from our list: FaceTite (from S/5,000), facial endolift (from S/4,000) or blepharoplasty for the eyelids (from S/3,500). It is not a required step: it is one more option, which Dra. Geldres assesses for each case. You can see the full list on our facial plastic surgery page.

How to take the first step

If you want to know which of these options fits you, message us on WhatsApp: tell us what you would like to improve and we’ll reply with prices and options for your case. For the details of each treatment, visit the Elix, HIFU and Morpheus8 pages, or read our comparison of FaceTite, Morpheus8 and HIFU for facial sagging.

Frequently asked questions