A intense-focused ultrasound tightening for the treatment of infraorbital laxity

Background: Infraorbital laxity is a common problem that increases with age. Blepharoplasty with lipectomy is a very commonly performed surgical procedure to treat this problem; however, it is invasive and is associated with the potential for re-emergence. Therefore, young patients may prefer a non-surgical procedure rather than to a surgical procedure. Intense-focused ultrasound (IFUS) has emerged as an effective, non-surgical, tissue-tightening procedure. Objective: This study assessed the safety and efficacy of IFUS (Ulthera (TM) system, Ulthera Inc, Mesa, AZ, USA) for facial tightening in Asian patients with infraorbital laxity. Methods: We studied 15 patients who were treated with an IFUS device applied to both lower eyelids. The primary outcome measure was an objective improvement in a paired comparison of pre-treatment and post treatment (6 months) photographs. A secondary outcome measure was patient satisfaction as measured by a questionnaire. Results: The mean patient age was 50 years (range, 27-69). All patients received one to two treatments with intense-focused ultrasound. All patients in the study experienced both subjective and objective improvement. Conclusion: IFUS can be used as a non-invasive, skin-tightening procedure for infraorbital laxity. No serious, permanent, or delayed side effects were noted up to 6 months post treatment. Thus, this procedure can be effective and safe in the treatment of decreased laxity of the lower eyelids.