Use of transcutaneous ultrasound for lipolysis and skin tightening: a review.

UNLABELLED: 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: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .