Ultrasound Therapy Device Uses in Beauty

Tuesday 7 May 2013

Ultrasound Therapy Device Uses in Beauty


Usually when we talk about ultrasound we think about expectant ladies. However, here we will talk about ultrasonic devices used in beauty industry.


What is an ultrasound therapy?

There are three main uses of ultrasound in beauty sector:


  • Skin tightening and lifting (Ultherapy). The device causes tiny injuries to the deeper layers of the skin, thus, encouraging collagen and elastin regeneration, which causes skin lifting.
  • Ultrasonic devices that are used to massage and heat skin, thus, resulting in increased metabolic activities, cell regeneration, skin's permeability and, thus, potential improvement in wrinkles, skin cleanness and tightness.
  • Ultrasonic cavitation is used to reduce fat. If you are fairly fit, but have some lumps of fat that cannot be shifted through normal exercise, then ultrasonic cavitation may be a good method to get rid of the undesirable fat. It's a non-invasive method which requires no downtime. It's an alternative to surgical liposuction.

How does Ultherapy work?


Ultherapy works by having a thermal effect on the skin. High frequency ultrasound creates wounds in the deeper layer of the skin. The healing process causes tightening of the skin, production of collagen and elastin, thus results in skin rejuvenation.

Wound healing is a slow process that can take weeks or months, therefore, results usually most visible 3-9 months after the treatment.


How is Ultherapy performed?


Here are the step and results of the treatment:
  • Anesthetic may be used, however, it is optional.
  • The treated area must be divided into linear zones to avoid overlapping.
  • Ultrasound gel is applied to the skin.
  • The probe placed on the skin and firing initiated in a linear way. Then the probe gets repositioned parallel to the previous treatment line. The process repeated until all the treatment area is covered.
  • After the procedure the gel is wiped off and a moisturizer may be applied.
  • The probe needs to be pressed into the skin, otherwise, the injury may occur on a more superficial layer of the skin than it is intended.
  • During the treatment mild discomfort may be experienced.
  • After the treatment the skin may feel raw, tender, red and swollen. It takes a day or a few for the symptoms to disappear.  
  • Approximately 75% of the treated people are happy or very happy with the result, 25% see little or no change in their skin. 


Which frequency ultrasonic devices should be used?


You need to follow a manufacturer's advice, however
  • the above mentioned results were achieved using 7.5 MHz, 4.5 mm or 3mm probe for the neck skin which is the thinnest, 7.5 MHz, 4.5 mm probe for the forehead and temple skin and 4 MHz, 4.5 mm probe for the cheek skin which is the thickest;  
  • the higher the frequency the more superficial effect on the skin. Rarely using superficial probe can cause striations;
  • using two ultrasound beams one of low frequency and the other of high frequency, the best skin permeability can be achieved.

Ultrasonic cavitation for body contouring or liposuction


  • The second use of ultrasound in beauty is for non-surgical liposuction. This technology is completely different from the one described above. There is no thermal effect on the skin. Ultrasound damages the skin’s fat due to mechanical cavitation. All other surrounding structures remain intact.
  • The damaged cells are removed through the liver and the usual metabolic pathways. 
  • Fat reduction by ultrasound should not be used for weight loss. The ideal candidate is someone who is not overweight, but has localized fat deposits that cannot be eliminated by good diet and exercise.
  • The body gets rid of the damaged fat cells over a period of 2-3 weeks. After 3-4 weeks the treatment may be repeated.
  • Pain during the procedure is usually mild. 

(This article is for information purposes only and not intended to be used as an instructions manual.  For every device, manufacturer’s instructions and/or practitioner's advise needs to be followed.)


Here is a YouTube video for those who prefer watching to reading:



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