Why do some doctors admit Ultherapy causes fat loss and others say it can’t?

Question

It’s proven to be possible by doctors, people’s experience and research that it can cause fat loss. It's used to kill fat aka liposonix. Why do some doctors say no,are they really not educated on cell death and ultrasound?

Michael A. Zadeh, MD, FACS · Answer

The answer to your question is that if an Ultherapy treatment is performed appropriately in the correct layer then there is no risk for fat loss. If the treatment is done too deep into the fat layer then there may be some fat loss. This is why it is important to accurately interpret the ultrasound image on the screen before delivering the energy. The device is just a tool and experience is critical in achieving results vs. complications. We have been performing the treatment for over 5 years and have never had a case of fat loss. I have seen disasters happen to patients who were treated by inexperienced nurses or technicians. Make sure you are under the care of an experienced physician provider.

Elham Jafari, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question! The answer is simple - probability. No medical procedure is completely safe and there are always some risks when undergoing any medical procedures. There might be a risk of tissue including fat damage following Ultherapy, but the risk appears to be very small if Ultherapy is done correctly at trained hands. This is similar to asking about fillers causing blindness. Can filler cause blindness? Yes. What is the probability? Extremely rare when done by an experienced physician, as I have done thousands of this procedure and am yet to see a single complication. Similarly in case of Ultherapy, you might see scary stories on internet about patients experiencing complications, but you need to take that into consideration alongside with thousands upon thousands of patients who have done the treatment and did not experience any complications. Again, working with a reputable clinic with experienced physicians and clinicians would reduce the risks. I hope it helps and good luck!

Steven F. Weiner, MD · Answer

Ulthera provides coagulation at 4.5, 3, and 1.5mm. The first 2 depths are below the dermis and in the sub Q fat layer. These will cause fat loss. The only way the jawlines and submental areas improve is because of fat loss, not just skin tightening. It is actually desirable in these areas but in the face, it is not. The procedure doesn't just hit the SMAS, as company states, because the SMAS is at variable depths in the same patient and not necessarily at the depths of the coagulation zones. I switched to RF microneedling which has more tuneable depths. I don't think I have ever seen histology proving that the coagulation zones are strictly within the SMAS.

Why do some doctors admit Ultherapy causes fat loss and others say it can’t?

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Why do some doctors admit Ultherapy causes fat loss and others say it can’t?

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Everything you need to know about Ultherapy

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.