ackground
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment has recently emerged in response to the increasing demand for noninvasive procedures for skin lifting and tightening.
Objective
This study was aimed at evaluating the clinical efficacy of and patient satisfaction with HIFU treatment for wrinkles and laxity in seven different areas of the face in Asian skin.
Methods
Twenty patients with facial wrinkle and laxity were analyzed after a single session of HIFU treatment. Two independent, blinded clinicians evaluated the clinical improvement in seven areas of the face by comparison of standardized photographs obtained before, and at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Assessment of subjective satisfaction and adverse effects of treatment were done by using questionnaires.
Results
The physicians’ evaluation and patients’ satisfaction with the clinical effects of HIFU in each area were similar regardless of the number of treatment shots. The jawline, cheek, and perioral areas were the sites where HIFU was most effective, in decreasing order. The adverse effects included erythema and swelling in six cases, and purpura and bruising in two cases. However, the adverse effects were mild and transient.
Conclusion
HIFU could be a safe, effective, and noninvasive procedure that can be used to improve facial wrinkles and skin laxity in Asian skin. It is particularly effective for clinical improvement in the jawline, cheek, and perioral areas.
Keywords:Â High-intensity focused ultrasound, Laxity, Wrinkle
Recently, there has been increasing public concern about facial wrinkles and loss of elasticity due to aging. Â Â In response to this problem, various treatments, including chemical peeling, microdermabrasion, fractional laser, and radiofrequency, have been proposed for the treatment of facial wrinkles and laxity; Â Â however, the ideal treatment option has yet to be identified. Â Â Recently, ultrasound was introduced as a new treatment for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes5,6. Â Â High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) may be the best example of this technique. Â Â Currently, it is being used for facial rejuvenation, lifting, tightening, and body contouring, which are considered ‘off-label’ useThe principle of HIFU is to induce cellular damage and volume reduction of the target area selectively by means of coagulation by generating instant microthermal lesions through the accumulation of high-frequency ultrasound beams at the specific tissue site without any damage to the epidermis and adjacent issue.
