Case reports demonstrate midface volume restoration in two patients using HIFU, suggesting a promising alternative to traditional methods.
Background: Facial aging is characterized by volume loss in the midface, leading to sagging and deepening of nasolabial folds. Traditional approaches, including dermal fillers and fat grafting, offer effective volume restoration but may pose risks such as resorption, asymmetry, or foreign body reactions. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) provides a noninvasive alternative by stimulating adipogenesis in buccal fat through adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) activation. Objective: This study reports 2 cases of midface rejuvenation using low-energy HIFU to target buccal fat for adipogenesis. Methods: Two female Korean patients (aged 29 and 33) underwent HIFU treatment with 1000 shots at 0.1J, targeting a depth of 13 mm in the buccal fat region. No anesthesia was required. Patients were evaluated at 1 and 6 weeks post-treatment for facial volume restoration and satisfaction. Results: Both patients exhibited significant midface volume enhancement, reduced tear trough hollowing, and improved cheek projection, with no adverse effects reported. Conclusion: Low-energy HIFU provides a safe, effective, noninvasive method for midface rejuvenation by harnessing the regenerative potential of buccal fat ASCs. Further studies are warranted to refine treatment protocols and assess long-term outcomes.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Kim et al. (2025) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: