Body Contouring By Ultrasound-Induced Lipolysis

The body contouring market has undergone a paradigm shift from invasive surgical procedures to advanced noninvasive treatments. Noninvasive fat-reducing devices based on nonfocused ultrasound waves induce lipolysis and ultimately reduce body fat, with minimal discomfort and downtime.

A dosimetry analysis was conducted on skin of domesticated pigs to increasing doses of low-intensity ultrasound, followed by histological analysis of skin biopsies collected up to 14 days post-treatment. The clinical impact of ultrasound was retrospectively assessed by comparing skin laxity in before-and-after photographs of abdominal and facial regions subjected to up to 8 treatment sessions, at 7- to 14-day intervals. Circumference reduction and patient-rated pain and satisfaction levels were extracted from patient records.

Histological analysis of pig biopsy samples identified that treatment with ultrasound damages subcutaneous fat at cellular and tissue levels, without impact on neurovascular bundles, epidermal or dermal layers. Seventy-four (74) patients were treated in facial (2.3%) or abdominal, buttocks, or thigh (79.7%) areas, and followed up for 2 to 3 weeks after the last session. The ultrasound regimen induced a significant reduction in abdominal circumference (2.6±1.2 cm). Physician-rated improvements were significant in 57.9% of patients treated at the abdomen, trunk, or thighs, and 20.0% (3/15) of facial areas, with a positive correlation found between degree of improvement, number of sessions (rs=0.365, P=.002), and inter-session interval length (rs=0.257, P=.003). Treatment was highly tolerable, and patients were very satisfied with the outcomes.

Nonfocused ultrasound is a safe and effective technology to reduce body fat, particularly in the abdominal area.  .