How can HIFU target and melt fat in abdomen, but only tighten skin in the face?

Question

I was told hifu will not melt fat in your face, but only lift and tighten skin. But I see that it can be used to sculpt and melt fat in abdomen. Is there a different setting or technique? I want it done in my face without melting fat.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

HIFU means High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, and it is a very specific technology not just high powered ultrasound. The key is the focusing, where the ultrasound energy comes to a point creating heat. For fat in the abdomen, the depth of the focus is deep enough to be in the fat layer, while facial HIFU is only in the deeper layers of the skin, not the fat. Ultherapy is the only FDA-approved HIFU for the face.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

FaceTite can internally tighten the skin in the lower face and neck. After all the skin has been heated and contracted, we shape the neck with liposuction to give definition and remove stubborn pockets of fat. In one quick treatment, we can tighten skin, remove fat, and contour the lower face, jawline, and jowls with only a weekend of downtime.  Keep in mind that combination approaches will give you a more significant improvement as opposed to a single procedure. I recommend getting a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a great question.  The depth of the targeted HIFU energy is what determines what is targeted.  Ultherapy targets the depth of the collagen, not the fat.

How can HIFU target and melt fat in abdomen, but only tighten skin in the face?

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