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Use of Transcutaneous Ultrasound for Lipolysis and Skin Tightening: A Review

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  • Non-Surgical Aesthetic
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Abstract

Several ultrasonic devices have recently been investigated for their ability to decrease areas of focal adiposity and tighten small areas of the skin. Studies show that ultrasound technology offers a safe, reliable, and predictable means to sculpt the body of nonobese patients, but its efficacy remains uncertain. Although most studies claim statistically significant results, the clinical significance of ultrasound technology has yet to be determined. Most studies use waist circumference measurements to determine statistical significance and efficacy. The majority of the current studies also have a relatively a short follow-up period of 3 months. More studies are needed to assess the true efficacy of ultrasound technology using more reliable measurements such as diagnostic ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) imaging and to include a follow-up period longer than 6 months to obtain more valid results.

Level of Evidence III

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Wayne State University, 18100 Oakwood Blvd, Ste 300, Dearborn, MI, 48124, USA

    Lindsay R. Sklar & Leonard Y. Kerwin

  2. Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut, 3 DagHammarskjold Plaza, 8th floor, New York, NY, 10017-2303, USA

    Abdel Kader El Tal

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  1. Lindsay R. Sklar
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Correspondence to Abdel Kader El Tal.

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Sklar, L.R., El Tal, A.K. & Kerwin, L.Y. Use of Transcutaneous Ultrasound for Lipolysis and Skin Tightening: A Review. Aesth Plast Surg 38, 429–441 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-014-0286-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-014-0286-6

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