Intense focused ultrasound for facial tightening: Histologic changes in 11 Patients

Introduction: Intense focused ultrasound (IFUS) is a novel modality for treating skin laxity that produces thermal effects at various depths while sparing the overlying tissue. This study assessed histologic changes and the safety and efficacy of intense focused ultrasound (Doublo^TM, HIRONIC Co., Sungnam, Korea) for tightening of facial skin in Asian patients. Methods: Eleven patients with facial laxity were treated with IFUS and evaluated before and after treatment. Mean age was 46 years (range, 35–64 years). Two available hand-pieces with different focal depths (3 mm and 4.5 mm) were used with three to five passes 1–2 mm apart. Outcome assessment included photographic evaluation by two blinded investigators, skin biopsies before and two months after treatment, and patient satisfaction. Results: Subjective and objective analyses showed 63.6% and 72.7% improvement at the two-month evaluation, respectively. Histologic evaluation by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome staining showed increased collagen fibers in the lower dermis and between fat layers. Discussion and conclusions: Intense focused ultrasound can be used as a non-invasive skin tightening technique in Asian patients. It induced collagen generation in the dermis and fat layers and was effective and safe in our study population.     

微聚焦超声用于面部紧致的罕见不良反应

【摘要】 近年来,微聚焦超声作为一种面部紧致的新手段,得到了广泛的应用,其机制为通过精确的、深度一致的微凝固区将热传导到真皮深层至表浅肌肉筋膜系统层,引起皮肤胶原收缩和重塑,而不损伤表皮,安全性高,很少出现严重不良反应。但关于其是否会导致皮下瘢痕形成、溶脂风险、神经血管及眼部损伤等仍然存在质疑,合理使用和选择患者可以最大程度避免这些罕见不良反应的发生。     

The effect of combined of hyaluronic acid dermal filler and microfocused ultrasound treatment: A clinicopathological study

Objectives

Microfocused ultrasound (MFU) and hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injection are increasingly popular aesthetic procedures. HA filler injection is generally recommended after MFU if combined treatment is required in a single visit. However, data regarding the safe and optimal time of MFU treatment after HA injection is still limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of HA loss when performing MFU treatment after dermal filler injection.

Methods

Fourteen subjects were recruited in this pilot study. HA was injected intradermally on four 2 × 2 cm areas at the abdomen (0.25 ml/site). Site A was served as control whereas site B, C, D were treated with MFU using 1.5 mm transducer at 60 min, Day 14, and Day 28 after the injection, respectively. All experimental sites were biopsied using a 3-mm punch biopsy to evaluate the histopathological profile at baseline and Day 56. Grading of the quantity of retained HA was evaluated by a blinded experienced dermatopathologist.

Results

All 14 subjects completed the study. One subject has been excluded due to the poor quality of histopathologic slides. Seven subjects (53.9%) at site B and 6 subjects (46.2%) at site C had HA loss at Day 56 compared with baseline. The mean HA grading at baseline and Day 56 was 3.7 vs. 2.8 (p < 0.001) at site B and 3.7 vs. 3.0 (p = 0.001) at site C, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the mean HA grading at baseline and Day 56 at site D (3.7 vs. 3.3, p = 0.073). No inflammation or granuloma was observed on Day 56 of the study.

Conclusions

MFU treatment after HA injection appears to be safe. However, some degree of HA loss was observed if MFU treatment was done within 2 weeks after HA injection.     

Intense focused ultrasound (IFUS) with a modified parameter on facial tightening: A study on its safety and efficacy

Background: Intense focused ultrasound (IFUS) is a novel treatment modality for skin laxity. The delivery of thermal energy to the deeper tissue layers effectively tightens the skin but can also cause significant fat atrophy, limiting its use in patients with a lean face. Objectives: We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of modified IFUS on facial rejuvenation. Patients and methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study of 28 subjects with age-related facial laxity who underwent 3 sessions of IFUS (Ultraskin^TM, WONTECH Co., Daejeon, Korea) at an interval of four weeks, and then followed up for three months. IFUS was first applied using a 4-MHZ, 4.5-mm transducer followed by a 7-MHZ, 3-mm transducer. Approximately 200–300 treatment lines were applied to the face during each session. Standardized photographs were taken at baseline and follow-ups and were assessed by two independent dermatologists. A questionnaire was used to evaluate patient satisfaction and the incidence of adverse reactions. Results: Twenty-eight subjects with mild-to-moderate age-related facial laxity were included in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 48 (range 29–74) years. About 32.1% of the subjects showed significant improvement and 57.1% showed improvement of facial laxity in their follow-up photographs. All of them (100%) replied that they were either greatly satisfied or satisfied with the results at three-month follow-up. None of the subjects experienced any serious adverse events including fat atrophy after the procedure. Conclusion: Modified IFUS (three sessions, four weeks apart, 200–300 treatment lines per session) can be safely performed with good clinical results.     

Nerve injury associated with high‐intensity focused ultrasound: A case report

Skin laxity is a common cosmetic concern in middle‐aged women. High‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is one of noninvasive modalities that provides safe and effective improvement in skin laxity and tightening with minimal adverse effects. Concerning an extensive use of HIFU for facial rejuvenation, dermatologists should be aware of potential adverse effects of HIFU treatment. We herein present a case of 33‐year‐old Thai female with facial nerve injury after HIFU treatment for skin laxity.     

高强度超声体外聚焦热疗技术治疗254例中晚期肝癌的临床观察

目的探讨高强度超声体外聚焦热疗(HIFU)治疗肝癌的临床疗效。方法对254例中晚期肝癌应用高强度超声体外聚焦热疗机进行HIFU治疗。结果254例肝癌患者中,获显著疗效52例(20.5%),有效188例(74%),无效14例(5.5%)。无一例出现皮肤灼伤、脏器穿孔及肿瘤破裂出血等并发症。38/52例疼痛缓解或减轻。66/89例A-FP下降,75/131例CEA下降。随访2年生存率:原发肝癌(n=105)半年:81.9%,1年:41%,2年:13.3%,继发肝癌(n=149)半年:94%,1年:65.8%,2年:18.8%。平均生存时间:原发肝癌(n=105)9.6个月,继发肝癌(n=149)10.4个月。结论HIFU技术可作中晚期肝癌的一种新的局部治疗方法。     

探讨高强度聚焦超声技术在治疗子宫肌瘤中的应用

目的:研究高强度聚焦超声技术对于治疗子宫肌瘤的临床治疗效果。方法:对我院收集到的20例子宫肌瘤患者实施HIFU技术治疗措施,在研究开始前、治疗后30d和60d分别使用MRI检查测定其肌瘤大小,并观察其临床症状改变和产生的不良症状情况。结果:在治疗后30d和60d,患者的肌瘤大小和研究开始前相比都没有显著差异(P>0.05);患者在经过HIFU技术治疗后与研究开始前出现的临床症状人数相比有明显的降低(P<0.05);治疗后30d有6例患者出现了不良症状,60d时出现了1例,且其均在短时间内自行康复。结论:HIFU技术能够显著减轻子宫肌瘤患者的临床症状,具有较好的效果。     

High‐intensity focused ultrasound treatment after cryolipolysis may be used to reduce pain: Two case report

In recent years, interest in body sculpting has increased and various technologies have been used and developed. In the present study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of combination treatment using high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and cryolipolysis. The findings show that not only HIFU but also combination treatments are safe and well‐tolerated options for the treatment of central abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Interestingly, the pain associated with HIFU when it was performed after cryolipolysis was significantly reduced.     

Use of a novel combined radiofrequency and ultrasound device for lipolysis,skin tightening and cellulite treatment

Introduction: Skin laxity and excessive subcutaneous fat are growing cosmetic concerns. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel radiofrequency and ultrasound workstation for lipolysis, circumference reduction, treatment of skin laxity and cellulite. Materials and methods: Two hundred seventy-five (235 women and 40 men) patients were enrolled into the study. Each patient received 3 treatment sessions, each session comprising Ultrasound and Radiofrequency treatments, at two-week intervals. Some received treatment for the abdomen, some for the thighs and some for both. Efficacy was assessed accordingly by measuring changes in abdominal circumference, thigh circumference and appearance of cellulite. Any adverse effect was noted. Result: Paired t-test between measurements at baseline and 4 weeks after 3rd session was significant amongst all the groups, showing that most patients showed improvement in abdominal and/or thigh circumferences. No significant adverse effects were noted during or after the treatment. Conclusion: A combination of alternating hot and cold module Ultrasound and Radiofrequency technologies is a safe and effective modality for lipolysis and to treat skin laxity and cellulite.     

Combined treatment for skin laxity of the aging face with monopolar radiofrequency and intense focused ultrasound in Korean subjects

Background: Although various minimal invasive approaches are available for aging skin laxity, they alone may not lead to notably satisfactory results. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of combination regimen with monopolar radiofrequency (MRF) and intense-focused ultrasound (IFUS) in facial lifting and tightening. Methods: Twenty-two Korean participants with aging face received a sequential single session of MRF and IFUS treatment. Objective and subjective assessments for improvement were performed at the 20-week post-treatment. Safety profiles were also recorded, and skin biopsies were taken at baseline and follow-up visit. Results: Based on the objective assessment for the overall facial skin tightening and laxity, 19 patients (90%) demonstrated “moderate” or better improvements (more than 25%) compared with baseline. Specifically, improvements of skin laxity and sagging, and droopy jaw line were more noticeable compared with that of superficial skin texture (P < 0.05). Subjective satisfactions were generally consistent with objective findings, and no serious adverse effect was observed. Histologic evaluation showed increased dermal collagen fibers throughout the dermis after treatments (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Combination treatment of MRF and IFUS has cumulative benefits for skin lifting and tightening with satisfactory safety profiles in Asian subjects.     

A comparative study of pain perception during the microfocused ultrasound procedure between topical anesthesia and combined topical anesthesia with forced air cooling

Background

The experience of pain during microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) treatment is common and crucial for dictating patient satisfaction and retention.

Objective

To compare the pain perception during the MFU-V procedure between two pain reduction methods (topical anesthesia alone versus combined topical anesthesia with forced air cooling).

Materials and Methods

This was a prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. A square area on the inner side of both arms of healthy volunteers was marked as an experimental site and randomly assigned to receive each pain reduction method: topical anesthesia or combined topical anesthesia with forced air cooling. Thereafter, MFU-V was performed with a 4.5 MHz, 4.5 mm transducer (10 lines, 0.9 J) followed by a 7 MHz, 3.0 mm transducer (10 lines, 0.3 J). The visual analog scale (VAS) for pain was measured immediately after 4.5 mm transducer (T1a), immediately after 3.0 mm transducer (T1b), and after the entire procedure (T2).

Results

Twenty-one participants with a mean (SD) age of 34.67 (±6.18) years were enrolled. The mean (±SD) pain score of combined topical anesthesia with forced air cooling-treated area was 5.40 (±1.64), 4.80 (±1.63), and 5.40 (±1.56) at T1a, T1b, and T2, respectively. The mean pain score for topical anesthesia-treated areas was 5.89 (±1.45), 5.00 (±1.72), and 5.76 (±1.67) at T1a, T1b, and T2, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the pain perception between the two methods.

Conclusion

The addition of forced air cooling is not beneficial for pain reduction during the MFU-V procedure because its temperature reduction effect cannot be delivered to the deep parts of the skin, which is the target site of MFU-V.     

Safety and efficacy of superficial micro-focused ultrasound with visualization for melasma in Asians: An uncontrolled pilot study

Background

The pathophysiology of melasma is multifactorial, resulting in treatment resistance and a high recurrence rate. Recent research suggests that focused ultrasound might treat melasma effectively.

Objectives

To investigate the efficacy and safety of superficial micro-focused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) for melasma in Asians.

Methods

Patients (n = 20) with mixed melasma on both cheeks received 2 MFU-V treatments spaced 1 month apart. At monthly visits over 5 months, treatment efficacy and safety were evaluated. Standardized photographs were clinically assessed using the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI), and 6-point grading scales for melasma lightening and area of involvement. Patients provided pain, global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS), and satisfaction assessments.

Results

In 40 cheeks, the mean mMASI score was significantly reduced from 13.2 at baseline to 2.4 at month 4, and 2.8 at month 5. Twenty-nine cheeks (72.5%) showed lightening of melasma at month 4 that persisted until month 5, with improvements up to 75% compared to baseline. Melasma area decreased overall, with sites containing >30% melasma involvement decreasing from 55% to 20% by month 5, and none with 70%–89% involvement. Melasma lightening and area improved visibly in 40% and 20% of cheeks, respectively, as early as 1 month after index MFU-V treatment. Improvements continued after the second treatment and persisted until study closure, correlating with patient GAIS and satisfaction scores. Procedure was well tolerated with only mild-to-moderate pain reported in 92.5% of treatments.

Conclusion

Superficial MFU-V is a safe and effective treatment for melasma.