INTRODUCTION
Numerous treatments have been developed to treat skin laxity and photoaged skin, including energy-based technologies. The underlying basis for most of these energy-based therapies is to cause immediate collagen coagulation and contraction and stimulate fibroblast activity resulting in long-term neocollagenesis and neoelastogenesis.1,2
A device using microfocused ultrasound (MFU) creates multiple microthermal subcutaneous zones of coagulation of approximately 1 mm3 at specific tissue depths while bypassing the epidermis, resulting in immediate collagen contraction and long-term neocollagenesis and tissue remodeling (Ulthera® System, Merz North America, Inc., Raleigh, NC). This device is designed to be used with an ultrasound imaging transducer (MFU-V) that enables visualization of tissue up to 8 mm below the surface of the skin (DeepSEE® Technology. Merz North America, Inc., Raleigh, NC). Tissue imaging enables the user to avoid non-target tissues such as bone and blood vessels. This non-invasive device is FDA-cleared to lift the eyebrow, improve lax submental and neck tissue, and lines and wrinkles on the décolletage.3 Treatment with MFU-V is well-tolerated and provides improvements in skin laxity without altering epidermal barrier function.4
An initial pilot study assessed the use of MFU-V for treating skin laxity and rhytides on photodamaged areas on the décolletage.5 Enrolled subjects demonstrated significant improvement in wrinkles and skin laxity at post-treatment days 90 and 180. Subject satisfaction was 100% at day 180. Based on these positive results, a larger prospective study further assessed the safety and effectiveness of MFU-V for improving lines and wrinkles of the décolleté.6 A single MFU-V treatment provided significant aesthetic improvement for moderate-to-severe décolleté wrinkles for the 180-day duration of the study and possibly longer. Treating this area with MFU-V creates a smooth transition between the rejuvenated face, neck and chest.
Although the beneficial effects of MFU-V for treating the décolleté have been shown in numerous studies clinically, most were of only 6 month duration.4-6 Only one MFU-V study demonstrated substantial lifting and tightening of facial and neck tissue with a high degree of patient satisfaction for up to 1 year.7 The objective of this following study was to assess the long-term effects of MFU-V for the treatment of the décolleté, as patients commonly ask how long results from a single treatment will last.
A device using microfocused ultrasound (MFU) creates multiple microthermal subcutaneous zones of coagulation of approximately 1 mm3 at specific tissue depths while bypassing the epidermis, resulting in immediate collagen contraction and long-term neocollagenesis and tissue remodeling (Ulthera® System, Merz North America, Inc., Raleigh, NC). This device is designed to be used with an ultrasound imaging transducer (MFU-V) that enables visualization of tissue up to 8 mm below the surface of the skin (DeepSEE® Technology. Merz North America, Inc., Raleigh, NC). Tissue imaging enables the user to avoid non-target tissues such as bone and blood vessels. This non-invasive device is FDA-cleared to lift the eyebrow, improve lax submental and neck tissue, and lines and wrinkles on the décolletage.3 Treatment with MFU-V is well-tolerated and provides improvements in skin laxity without altering epidermal barrier function.4
An initial pilot study assessed the use of MFU-V for treating skin laxity and rhytides on photodamaged areas on the décolletage.5 Enrolled subjects demonstrated significant improvement in wrinkles and skin laxity at post-treatment days 90 and 180. Subject satisfaction was 100% at day 180. Based on these positive results, a larger prospective study further assessed the safety and effectiveness of MFU-V for improving lines and wrinkles of the décolleté.6 A single MFU-V treatment provided significant aesthetic improvement for moderate-to-severe décolleté wrinkles for the 180-day duration of the study and possibly longer. Treating this area with MFU-V creates a smooth transition between the rejuvenated face, neck and chest.
Although the beneficial effects of MFU-V for treating the décolleté have been shown in numerous studies clinically, most were of only 6 month duration.4-6 Only one MFU-V study demonstrated substantial lifting and tightening of facial and neck tissue with a high degree of patient satisfaction for up to 1 year.7 The objective of this following study was to assess the long-term effects of MFU-V for the treatment of the décolleté, as patients commonly ask how long results from a single treatment will last.
