Ultrasound Lifting Enters the Era of Precision Tailored to Facial Contours

■ Table of Contents

① Kwang-jae Lee, Head of New Pong Research Institute
② Dr. Sin-hye Park, Miho Clinic
③ Dr. Geon-hong Lee, Hong’s Skin Clinic
④ Dr. Bruno Vargas, CBV Clinic in Brazil

Recently, the era of lifting procedures has shifted to one where the precision of energy delivery is more important than the intensity. In particular, Newpong's curved HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) device, LINCURVE PRO, based on a design that takes facial contours into account, is garnering attention for enhancing convenience for medical staff and improving the treatment experience for patients. We met with Dr. Geon-hong Lee of Hong Skin Clinic to discuss these developments.

The biggest advantage is that you can experience the effects of the procedure quickly. While radiofrequency or laser devices often show results gradually over time, with ultrasound lifting, some patients notice improvements immediately after the procedure, and others experience the effects within a maximum of two weeks. I believe the ability to expect immediate effects and predictable results is the reason why ultrasound lifting is consistently chosen.

The human face is a curved surface, not a flat one. However, since existing cartridges (the parts that touches the skin) have a flat structure, they often adhere closely to the center of the face but lift away from the sides. Consequently, thermal energy could not be delivered evenly to the skin, and some energy was inevitably lost. Furthermore, because stronger pressure was required to deliver energy to the desired depth, there was a greater risk of side effects such as fat atrophy.

Previously, it was necessary to repeatedly press and release to conform to the contours of the face, but the curved type naturally follows the curves of the skin, eliminating the need to apply excessive force. Thanks to this, the procedure has become much smoother and the treatment time has been reduced. Medical staff experience less fatigue, and the risk of side effects such as burns or fat atrophy has decreased, allowing patients to receive the procedure safely and comfortably. 

The change most frequently mentioned by patients is that it is less painful. The curved cartridge adheres closely to the contours of the face, ensuring that thermal energy is delivered relatively evenly rather than concentrating in one spot. Consequently, pain is relatively less even under the same energy conditions, and satisfaction after the procedure tends to be high.

Ultrasound lifting is a procedure that targets the fat layer. Therefore, high efficacy can be expected in patients with facial fat and reduced skin elasticity. It can also be a good treatment option for patients seeking to improve skin elasticity. Since ultrasound allows for adjustment of the irradiation depth, the procedure can target shallow layers for skin texture improvement or deeper layers for elasticity improvement.

 On the other hand, ultrasound lifting is not recommended for patients with very little facial fat or very thin skin, as it can actually worsen cheek hollowing.

Personally, I tend to perform scalp lifting quite often. There is a thick layer of fascia near the temples; by targeting this area first and then sequentially treating the side cheeks and jawline, you can expect an upward lifting effect similar to that of a thread lift. However, scalp lifting requires a deep understanding of anatomy, and the outcome depends on carefully planning which areas to treat and in what order.

Combination procedures, which involve receiving multiple treatments together, are also becoming the trend.

In particular, since ultrasound allows for the adjustment of irradiation depth, performing a lifting procedure tailored to the desired layer after filler treatment can yield complementary effects. For patients with little facial fat, it is also a good idea to perform an ultrasound lifting procedure after adding volume with fillers and waiting a certain period.

While the latest equipment is important, what ultimately determines the outcome is the experience of the medical team in establishing the right energy and treatment plan for the patient . It is wise to choose a medical team that  presents a customized treatment plan after thoroughly analyzing your facial features and skin condition.