What are ultrasounds?
Ultrasounds are mechanical waves of longitudinal type and frequency higher than 20,000 Hz, which human beings are not able to perceive. They are used in different fields, such as medicine and industry.
We can distinguish two types of ultrasound depending on their purpose:
- Diagnostic ultrasound:this is a technique to obtain images of the inside of the body.
- Therapeutic ultrasound: in this case, the waves interact with the tissues of the human body to be modified or destroyed.
Ultrasound can be of low or high frequency, although the higher the frequency, the lower the tissue penetration.
Ultrasound in esthetics
The ultrasound is emitted by a head that moves smoothly and circularly over the treatment area on the adipose tissue. It is a painless and non-invasive technique.
Ultrasound, inside the body, provokes three actions, which cause the destruction of adipocytes, increase blood flow and eliminate fat cells.
- Mechanical effect: the waves cause an oscillating movement in the subcutaneous tissue, which generates micro ruptures of the fat content and favors the mobility of waste liquids.
- Thermal effect: the movement generates heat, which translates into an analgesic effect.
- Chemical effect: it also causes the viscosity of the fat to become more liquid and facilitates its elimination.
It is used for multiple purposes, although the most prominent are the increase in blood circulation, analgesic effect, muscle relaxation and change in viscosity. Therefore, it is used to combat cellulite, stretch marks, scars and localized fat accumulation.
It can also be used for facial treatments, although in this case the objective is to stimulate collagen fibers to reverse sagging and rejuvenate the skin.
Depending on the objective, ultrasound uses different frequencies. For therapeutic treatments, low frequency is used, between 1-2 Mhz; against scars or cellulite, it is used at 2 Mhz; and to combat adiposities, it is used at a frequency of 3 Mhz.
Currently there are multiple treatments that use ultrasound as a combination or main action. The best known is cavitation, although in this case the ultrasounds are at very low frequency and high power.
Contraindications of ultrasound
Ultrasound should not be used in people with any of the following complaints or pathologies, whether mild or severe:
- Recent wounds and fractures
- Pacemaker
- Epilepsy
- Thrombophlebitis
- Pregnant
Commitment to quality
This text on ultrasound has been prepared by professional writers. In addition, we have relied on experts in medicine, engineering and aesthetics as a source of information, as well as specific studies to maintain the quality of what we publish.
At Sisneo Bioscience we are committed to publish truthful and contrasted information. And to update or correct it as soon as new knowledge becomes available.
Among others, we have used the following references:
- Schelke L, Farber N, Swift A. «Ultrasound as an Educational Tool in Facial Aesthetic Injections» en Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022 Dec 12;10(12):e4639. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004639.
- Wu W-T, Chang K-V, Chang H-C, Kuan C-H, Chen L-R, Mezian K, Ricci V, Özçakar L. «Ultrasound Imaging of Facial Vascular Neural Structures and Relevance to Aesthetic Injections: A Pictorial Essay» en Diagnostics. 2022; 12(7):1766. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12071766
