Efficacy of high‐intensity focused ultrasound in facial and neck rejuvenation

BACKGROUND: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has recently been introduced in the treatment of facial wrinkles and laxity. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of HIFU in facial and neck rejuvenation. METHODS: High-intensity focused ultrasound treatment was performed on face and neck by using two different probes with focal depth of 3 mm and 4.5 mm. Two independent, blinded clinicians evaluated the clinical improvement at 3 months after treatment. The patients also scored their satisfaction with the treatment. Adverse effects were assessed up to 3 months post-treatment. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (73 female, 2 male) with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes 2-4 were enrolled in the study. After treatment, improvement in nasolabial, jawline, submental, and neck areas was separately evaluated. The rate of improvement in each area was more than 80% according to the physicians' assessment, while patients' satisfaction degree in each area was over 78%. Most common adverse effect was pain, reported in 25.3% of the patients during the procedure while transient erythema was reported in 6.7%. Both resolved spontaneously after the procedure. Only one patient complained development of numbness on right mandibular region which resolved spontaneously within 10 days. CONCLUSION: High-intensity focused ultrasound can be an effective noninvasive treatment modality in facial and neck rejuvenation with an acceptable safety profile.