Results of a new study suggest that micro-focused ultrasound (MFU) treatment is safe and effective in darker skin types for tightening and lifting skin in the facial and neck areas.
Plastic surgeon Monte O. Harris, M.D., and dermatologist Hema A. Sundaram, M.D., who both practice in the Washington, D.C. area, designed an open-label, non-randomized trial to further demonstrate the safety of MFU for improving laxity of the skin of the face and neck. They recruited 52 adults with Fitzpatrick skin types III to VI. Before applying treatment with MFU, the authors assessed the skin tissue of each participant and did ultrasound imaging on treatment areas to ensure appropriate acoustic transducer coupling.
Related: Pilot study looks at non-invsive buttock lifting with MFU
The patients received treatment between March 23, 2011 and July 20, 2011. Following treatment, three adverse effects were reported: two raised areas of mild edema or welts and one case of moderately severe prolonged erythema with mild scabbing. All events resolved after 90 days without sequelae.
“The adverse events that occurred in this trial were temporary and associated with treatment technique,” the authors write. “When performed by trained physicians, MFU is safe in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III to VI.”
The study appears in the September/October issue of JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
