Ultraformer® MPT: microfocused ultrasound for skin laxity

How it works

Microfocused ultrasound concentrates energy at millimetric points below the surface of the skin, much like a magnifying glass concentrates sunlight. At these points, the temperature reaches about 60 to 70 °C and creates small areas of thermal coagulation (controlled heating of the tissue), while the surface of the skin is preserved.

The body responds to this stimulus in two ways: an initial contraction of existing collagen fibers and, over the following months, the production of new collagen, which makes the skin firmer and more attached to the layers beneath.

The device uses handpieces (transducers) that reach different depths, chosen according to the area and the goal:

• SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), the supporting layer of the face, about 4.5 mm deep. It is the same layer that is lifted in a surgical facelift.
• Dermis, between 1.5 and 3 mm, for skin firmness and texture.
• Subcutaneous fat, with the deeper body transducers, to reduce small pockets of localized fat.

MPT (micro-pulsed technology) means the energy is delivered in sequences of smaller pulses, which makes the application faster. The clinic has 1.5, 2, 3 and 4.5 mm transducers, used on the face and neck, and 6, 9 and 13 mm transducers, used on the body.

Indications

Ultraformer® is indicated for mild to moderate laxity, for people who want to improve firmness and contour without surgery. In cases of marked laxity with a large excess of skin, plastic surgery tends to be more appropriate.

• Facial skin laxityLoss of facial firmness, with sagging cheeks and contour.
• Facial contour and double chinLoss of jawline definition and fat under the chin.
• Eyelids and tired lookMild laxity of the upper eyelid and the area around the eyes.
• Neck and décolletageLaxity and lines of the neck and décolletage.
• Body skin laxityLess firm skin on the arms, abdomen and flanks.
• Localized fatSmall pockets of fat on the abdomen, flanks and pre-axillary area.

Treated areas

What a session is like

For greater comfort, a topical anesthetic (cream) is applied 30 minutes before the procedure. The skin is then cleaned, the areas are marked, and the doctor applies a gel and glides the handpiece over the skin in parallel lines, with pulses lasting fractions of a second. A session lasts, on average, 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the treated areas.

During the pulses, it is common to feel points of heat and slight twinges, more intense over bony areas such as the jawline and forehead, and the power is adjusted throughout the session.

Recovery

There is no downtime: you can return to work and your usual activities right after the session. In the following hours, the skin may be slightly red, and some people notice mild swelling or tenderness to the touch, which usually disappears within a few days.

Sessions and results

The number of sessions and the interval between them depend on the dermatologist's individual evaluation and on each patient's clinical concern.

Some firmness may be noticed right after the session, from the contraction of existing fibers, but the main result depends on the production of new collagen and appears gradually, over two to three months, developing for up to about six months. Because skin aging continues, maintenance sessions are usually recommended, at a frequency defined by the dermatologist. The response varies from person to person, according to age, degree of laxity, skin quality and lifestyle.

Contraindications

Ultraformer® is not recommended during pregnancy, over wounds, infections or active skin inflammation in the area to be treated, or over metal implants or electronic devices, such as pacemakers, in the region. Active autoimmune diseases, bleeding disorders and the use of some medications require case-by-case evaluation.

At the evaluation, the dermatologist reviews your health history, current medications and previous procedures to confirm the indication.