Comparison of microfocused ultrasound with visualization for skin laxity among vegan and omnivore patients.

Abstract

The aging of facial structures depends on genetic, anatomic, chronologic, and environmental factors that affect the skin and underlying tissues. Microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment for skin laxity. As the nutritional status may contribute to skin aging, it would be interesting to evaluate whether different dietary patterns can also influence the response to MFU-V treatment for skin laxity. The aim of this study is to compare the outcome of MFU-V therapy between omnivore and vegan patients. Twenty-seven vegan and twenty-seven omnivorous women who underwent MFU-V treatment for laxity of lower face and neck were enrolled. The clinical outcome was evaluated using the FLR (Facial Laxity Rating) scale after 3 and 6months from treatment. At baseline, no significant differences were found in terms of FLR scale in both treated sites. After 3months, reduction in FLR scale was significantly lower for vegans both on face (P=.04) and neck (P=.004). At 6months, vegan patients had a worse clinical outcome on lower face (P=.001) and neck (P<.001). The present study suggests that a vegan diet may negatively influence the outcome of a MFU-V treatment.