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Can Ultherapy cause fat loss when getting it done on the cheek area?

I'm looking into getting ultherapy done on the cheek area to tighten up and lift my midface - basically the area from cheekbones to chin. I'm 38 and skeptical that it will even work, but I'm willing to take the chance as long as there are no negative effects. I have read that ultherapy can cause fat loss, and I definitely would not want to lose any more fat in my cheek area.

Doctor Answers 10

Can Ultherapy cause fat loss when getting it done on the cheek area?

March 2nd, 2015
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Unfortunately, the answer to your question is without a doubt yes, Ultherapy does cause fat loss. The given depth of penetration for 4.5mm is below the skin; and the tissue that is directly below the skin is fat. This is where the fat layer in the face lives. Any plastic surgeon who has ever done a face lift will tell you that looking at Before/After pictures of Ulthera patients, patients will show a loss of volume, due to treatment related fat loss.

Web reference: http://www.mirrormirrorhouston.com/ulthera-lift

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD
March 2nd, 2015

Can Ultherapy cause fat loss when getting it done on the cheek area?

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Unfortunately, the answer to your question is without a doubt yes, Ultherapy does cause fat loss. The given depth of penetration for 4.5mm is below the skin; and the tissue that is directly below the skin is fat. This is where the fat layer in the face lives. Any plastic surgeon who has ever done a face lift will tell you that looking at Before/After pictures of Ulthera patients, patients will show a loss of volume, due to treatment related fat loss.

Learn more: http://www.mirrormirrorhouston.com/ulthera-lift

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD

Ultherapy and fat loss

February 26th, 2015
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Ultherapy is FDA approved for skin tightening. This device builds collagen and provides a lifting effect. With this technology (microfocused ultrasound) there should not be any fat atrophy. If fat loss (atrophy) has occured, it would be due to inappropriate use of the device (pulse stacking: pulsing heat in the same location too many times). This should not occur with a properly trained physician doing your treatment.  


Anne Marie Tremaine, MD

Anne Marie Tremaine, MD
Naples Dermatologic Surgeon

February 26th, 2015

Ultherapy and fat loss

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Ultherapy is FDA approved for skin tightening. This device builds collagen and provides a lifting effect. With this technology (microfocused ultrasound) there should not be any fat atrophy. If fat loss (atrophy) has occured, it would be due to inappropriate use of the device (pulse stacking: pulsing heat in the same location too many times). This should not occur with a properly trained physician doing your treatment.  


Anne Marie Tremaine, MD
Naples Dermatologic Surgeon

Fat atrophy is not something that should be seen when done correctly

March 3rd, 2015
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Thanks for your question. The great thing about Ultherapy is that the
fractionated ultrasound lines that are generated are always exact and
precise, depending on the transducer used. Ultherapy needs to be done by
skilled clinicians, working in a board certified dermatologist or plastic
surgeon’s office to ensure the best lifting results you can get. Fat atrophy is
not something that should be seen when done correctly.

Web reference: http://www.goldskincare.com/skin-tightening/

Michael Gold, MD

Michael Gold, MD
Nashville Dermatologic Surgeon
4.0 out of 5 stars 18 reviews

March 3rd, 2015

Fat atrophy is not something that should be seen when done correctly

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Thanks for your question. The great thing about Ultherapy is that the
fractionated ultrasound lines that are generated are always exact and
precise, depending on the transducer used. Ultherapy needs to be done by
skilled clinicians, working in a board certified dermatologist or plastic
surgeon’s office to ensure the best lifting results you can get. Fat atrophy is
not something that should be seen when done correctly.

Learn more: http://www.goldskincare.com/skin-tightening/

Michael Gold, MD

Michael Gold, MD
Nashville Dermatologic Surgeon
4.0 out of 5 stars 18 reviews

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Ultherapy for facial tightening has not caused fat loss in my NYC practice

March 1st, 2015
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I have not heard from any of my colleagues that they have seen fat reduction from Ultherapy.  I have been doing Ultherapy for several years with good patient satisfaction and am not aware of one case of fat loss.  I actually tried to reduce the submental fat of the neck intentionally, early on when beginning the procedure and did not see any fat reduction. Ultherapy is FDA cleared for tissue tightening.
This is not to say that anyone could guarantee it wouldn't happen to you, but it's not a side effect we're aware of to discuss with our patients preoperatively.

Web reference: http://www.thenyac.com/ultherapy/

Ronald Shelton, MD

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 37 reviews

March 1st, 2015

Ultherapy for facial tightening has not caused fat loss in my NYC practice

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
I have not heard from any of my colleagues that they have seen fat reduction from Ultherapy.  I have been doing Ultherapy for several years with good patient satisfaction and am not aware of one case of fat loss.  I actually tried to reduce the submental fat of the neck intentionally, early on when beginning the procedure and did not see any fat reduction. Ultherapy is FDA cleared for tissue tightening.
This is not to say that anyone could guarantee it wouldn't happen to you, but it's not a side effect we're aware of to discuss with our patients preoperatively.

Learn more: http://www.thenyac.com/ultherapy/

Ronald Shelton, MD

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 37 reviews

Ultherapy and Fat Loss

February 26th, 2015
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Microfocused ultrasound should not cause fat loss if used appropriately especially if used properly.  Best, Dr. Emer.
Jason Emer, MD

Jason Emer, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 203 reviews

February 26th, 2015

Ultherapy and Fat Loss

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Microfocused ultrasound should not cause fat loss if used appropriately especially if used properly.  Best, Dr. Emer.
Jason Emer, MD

Jason Emer, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 203 reviews

No fat loss with Ultherapy

February 25th, 2015
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Because Ultherapy uses microfocused ultrasound, it should not affect the fat layer which is at a deeper level. Non-focused technologies such as radiofrequency have been associated with fat loss at times but this is not common.

Web reference: http://www.drbaxter.com/blog/blog/post/ultrasound-is-ultra-cool-ulthera-liposonix-jenu

Richard Baxter, MD
February 25th, 2015

No fat loss with Ultherapy

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Because Ultherapy uses microfocused ultrasound, it should not affect the fat layer which is at a deeper level. Non-focused technologies such as radiofrequency have been associated with fat loss at times but this is not common.

Learn more: http://www.drbaxter.com/blog/blog/post/ultrasound-is-ultra-cool-ulthera-liposonix-jenu

Richard Baxter, MD

Does Ultherapy Cause Fat Loss?

February 25th, 2015
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The Ultherapy treatment does not go deep enough to affect the fat layer, therefore, it does not cause fat loss. Ultherapy lifts, tightens and tones skin. It does not replace lost volume. Fillers are the best treatment to replace lost volume. Ultherapy and fillers work great in combination to give the best results. 

Web reference: http://www.zcosmetichealth.com/cosmetic-procedures-sherman-oaks/ultherapy/

Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS
February 25th, 2015

Does Ultherapy Cause Fat Loss?

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
The Ultherapy treatment does not go deep enough to affect the fat layer, therefore, it does not cause fat loss. Ultherapy lifts, tightens and tones skin. It does not replace lost volume. Fillers are the best treatment to replace lost volume. Ultherapy and fillers work great in combination to give the best results. 

Learn more: http://www.zcosmetichealth.com/cosmetic-procedures-sherman-oaks/ultherapy/

Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS

Ultherapy does not cause volume loss - Buffalo Niagara Ultherapy specialist

February 25th, 2015
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i have done Ultherapy on hundreds of patients and I have never seen a patient who returned 6 months later or a year later with complaints of volume loss.

The reasons are the following : the technology uses ultrasound to image depth and the depth is never beyond 4.5 mm and into the SMAS layer and not into fatty tissue. 

Volume loss is another problem altogether associated with aging which can be repleted with facial fillers, fat grafting, etc.

Read the Ultherapy book provided on the link below. 

Web reference: http://peacebridgehealthcare.com/flipbooks/ultherapy/ultherapy.html

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS
February 25th, 2015

Ultherapy does not cause volume loss - Buffalo Niagara Ultherapy specialist

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i have done Ultherapy on hundreds of patients and I have never seen a patient who returned 6 months later or a year later with complaints of volume loss.

The reasons are the following : the technology uses ultrasound to image depth and the depth is never beyond 4.5 mm and into the SMAS layer and not into fatty tissue. 

Volume loss is another problem altogether associated with aging which can be repleted with facial fillers, fat grafting, etc.

Read the Ultherapy book provided on the link below. 

Learn more: http://peacebridgehealthcare.com/flipbooks/ultherapy/ultherapy.html

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS

Ultherapy

February 24th, 2015
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hello, we have not seen fat loss when performed by properly trained practitioners, the transducers are used for tightening at various depths in the skin. a good consult with an experienced user can go over all of this.  good luck
John J. O`Brien, Jr., MD
February 24th, 2015

Ultherapy

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hello, we have not seen fat loss when performed by properly trained practitioners, the transducers are used for tightening at various depths in the skin. a good consult with an experienced user can go over all of this.  good luck
John J. O`Brien, Jr., MD

Ultherapy should not cause fat loss

March 12th, 2015
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There are great scientific studies to prove the clinical benefits of Ultherapy if you are deemed a good candidate by a doctor. It should not cause fat loss in the face. There are two great ways to non- surgically lift the skin. One is Ultherapy which is uses ultrasound technology to stimulate your collagen production to tighten and lift. The other is Sculptra which stimulates your body's collagen production to add volume and also helps lift your skin. Some people need volume, some people need skin tightening/lifting and some people even need both.
Mary E. Hurley, MD

Mary E. Hurley, MD
Dallas Dermatologist
4.2 out of 5 stars 5 reviews

March 12th, 2015

Ultherapy should not cause fat loss

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
There are great scientific studies to prove the clinical benefits of Ultherapy if you are deemed a good candidate by a doctor. It should not cause fat loss in the face. There are two great ways to non- surgically lift the skin. One is Ultherapy which is uses ultrasound technology to stimulate your collagen production to tighten and lift. The other is Sculptra which stimulates your body's collagen production to add volume and also helps lift your skin. Some people need volume, some people need skin tightening/lifting and some people even need both.

Mary E. Hurley, MD
Dallas Dermatologist

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.