A Systematic Review of the Clinical Efficacy of Micro-Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Skin Rejuvenation and Tightening.

Ubaid Khan,Nabiha Khalid

doi:10.7759/cureus.20163

Abstract

The demand for non-invasive skin-tightening techniques is continuously on the rise, as now numerous patients seek safe and effective alternative body, neck, and facial aesthetic surgical procedures. Micro-focused ultrasound (MFU) has been recently introduced as a novel energy modality for skin rejuvenation to produce a more significant wound healing response at various levels, including strong collagen remodeling and long-lasting clinical response. This literature study was intended to find the role and efficiency of using micro-focused ultrasound therapy in male and female patients aged 35-65. A total of 139 articles were extracted from the PubMed and Science Direct electronic databases. After a thorough evaluation and following the exclusion and inclusion criteria, 10 full-text articles were relevant to the study. The goal was to analyze and examine the effects and benefits of MFU treatment to improve the skin. In addition, all of the patients were evaluated to report the harms and risks associated with MFU treatment. The literature study results revealed that significant improvements in the overall aesthetics of sagging of the mid and lower face could be accomplished by using a micro-focused ultrasonic treatment plan. Patients report no considerable side effects, and the results were also long-lasting. MFU treatment can activate deeper tissues without causing injury to the epidermis, which sets it apart from all other skin tightening methods. Better improvements rates have been reported by both patients' self-assessment and clinical investigators' evaluation.

Highlights

BackgroundSurgical lifting procedures have typically been used to treat facial and neck skin sagging and laxity
The focus keywords for search purposes were "Micro Focused Ultrasound," "Skin Rejuvenation," and "Skin Laxity Treatment." Only human studies were included, and any clinical trials on animals and other non-humanized models were excluded
Murad Alam et al conducted the initial clinical research to determine if Microfocused ultrasound (MFU)-V might raise the brow during the treatment of the whole neck and face through the application of micro-focused ultrasound [14]

Summary

Introduction

Surgical lifting procedures have typically been used to treat facial and neck skin sagging and laxity. Traditional ablative laser skin rejuvenation is associated with a lengthy healing period and the possibility of delayed dyspigmentation [1]. Heat penetration up to 2-4 mm into the skin is needed to achieve minor skin tightening produced by RF devices. It promotes healing wounds and neocollagenesis without causing epidermal damage or clinical recovery [2]. When compared to ablative laser skin rejuvenating or surgical face lifting procedures, the advantages of this method are indistinct: minimal downtime, relative safety for usage on non-facial areas and skin color, and a favorable side effect profile [3]. Less intrusive procedures have a history of poor efficacy, uneven clinical outcome, and a shorter-lasting tightening effect

Methods

Results

Conclusion