GLASS LAB · Medical Aesthetics Evidence Index 303 cells · 19,226 papers · 5,969 top-tier evidence

Body / Fat · Abdominal fat

HIFU lifting evidence for Abdominal fat

B 50.9 / 100 Supported 5 RCT/meta · 5 clinical/observational · 3 case · 21 total
Good evidence · positive conclusion

There is a relatively good level of clinical evidence, and a majority of papers support its effectiveness.

Grade combines the quantity and quality of the research, while direction is a separate signal showing how the papers assess effectiveness.

Includes meta-analysis/SR Median year 2016 Last 5 years 10% Positive results 47% Negative results 2 Korea/Asia 2

Known in Korea as

울핏슈링크울쎄라리프테라리프테라2바디 울쎄라울쎄라 프라임초음파 리프팅슈링크 유니버스울쎄라피 프라임

Procedure and brand names vary, but the evidence above applies to the same procedure mechanism.

Key papers

tier1 Metabolic changes after nonsurgical fat removal: A dose response meta-analysis. Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS · 2022 · PMID 36549125

Abstract summary (English) BACKGROUND: Obesity-induced insulin resistance leads to the metabolic syndrome. Both bariatric surgery and surgical fat removal have been shown to improve metabolic health, but the metabolic benefits of nonsurgical fat removal remain uncertain. The aim of this paper is to establish whether nonsurgical fat removal exerts measurable, lasting metabolic benefits by way of changes to serum lipid profiles.

Meta-Analysis, Journal Article, Review

View on PubMed
tier1 A Multicenter Controlled Study to Evaluate Multiple Treatments With Nonthermal Focused Ultrasound for Noninvasive Fat Reduction. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] · 2017 · PMID 28009680

Abstract summary (English) BACKGROUND: Demand for nonsurgical esthetic body procedures has led to the development of noninvasive techniques for reducing localized subcutaneous adipose tissue. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed multiple treatments with nonthermal focused ultrasound for noninvasive abdominal treatment of excess fat deposits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned to Group 1 for a 4-week control phase before...

Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial

View on PubMed
tier1 Safety and tolerability of high-intensity focused ultrasonography for noninvasive body sculpting: 24-week data from a randomized, sham-controlled study. Aesthetic surgery journal · 2012 · PMID 22942114

Abstract summary (English) BACKGROUND: High-intensity focused ultrasonography (HIFU) is a nonsurgical, noninvasive method for body sculpting in nonobese patients. The technique ablates subcutaneous adipose tissue by causing molecular vibrations that increase tissue temperature and induce rapid cell necrosis. OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluate the long-term safety of a HIFU device for sculpting the abdomen and flanks.

Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

View on PubMed
tier1 Randomized sham-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a high-intensity focused ultrasound device for noninvasive body sculpting. Plastic and reconstructive surgery · 2011 · PMID 21701341

Abstract summary (English) BACKGROUND: High-intensity focused ultrasound presents a noninvasive approach to body sculpting for nonobese patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a high-intensity focused ultrasound device for sculpting of the abdomen and flanks. METHODS: Adults (aged 18 to 65 years) with subcutaneous abdominal fat greater than or equal to 2.5 cm thick who met screening criteria were...

Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial

View on PubMed
tier2 Efficacy and Safety of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Noninvasive Abdominal Subcutaneous Fat Reduction. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] · 2020 · PMID 31490305

Abstract summary (English) BACKGROUND: Demand for noninvasive body contouring has increased. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a thermal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device for abdominal body shaping. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adults with a body mass index ≤30 kg/m and an abdominal subcutaneous fat tissue thickness ≥2.5 cm were enrolled for HIFU treatment at energy levels of 150 J/cm (first session) and 135 J/cm...

Clinical Trial, Journal Article

View on PubMed
tier2 The safety and efficacy of thermal lipolysis of adipose tissue via ultrasound for circumference reduction: An open label, single-arm exploratory study. Lasers in surgery and medicine · 2016 · PMID 27320384

Abstract summary (English) BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To better understand adipocyte sensitivity under hyperthermic conditions, the ULTIMA system (also known as MUST) was designed to induce the thermal destruction of fat cells using ultrasound, radiofrequency, and vacuuming. This clinical study assessed the safety and efficacy of ULTIMA in non-invasive reductions of abdominal circumference. STUDY DESIGN: This open-label, single-arm exploratory...

Clinical Trial, Journal Article

View on PubMed
tier2 Efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasonography for noninvasive body sculpting in Chinese patients. Lasers in surgery and medicine · 2014 · PMID 24585511

Abstract summary (English) BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a noninvasive technology for body contouring. HIFU is focused within the subcutaneous adipose tissue, causing coagulative necrosis and cell death. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a HIFU device for sculpting of the abdomen.

Clinical Trial, Journal Article

View on PubMed
tier2 Noninvasive body sculpting technologies with an emphasis on high-intensity focused ultrasound. Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2011 · PMID 21461627

Abstract summary (English) BACKGROUND: Body-sculpting procedures are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Although surgical lipoplasty remains the most common body sculpting procedure, a demand exists for noninvasive alternatives capable of reducing focal adiposity without the risks of adverse events (AEs) associated with invasive excisional body-sculpting procedures. METHODS: This report describes the mechanism of action,...

Comparative Study, Journal Article, Review

View on PubMed
tier2 Evaluation of a novel high-intensity focused ultrasound device for ablating subcutaneous adipose tissue for noninvasive body contouring: safety studies in human volunteers. Aesthetic surgery journal · 2011 · PMID 21551431

Abstract summary (English) BACKGROUND: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is an energy-based medical technology with many clinical applications. A device under clinical investigation in the United States (LipoSonix; Medicis Technologies Corporation, Bothell, Washington) uses HIFU to reduce localized deposits of abdominal adipose tissue. OBJECTIVES: The authors describe the results from their clinical trial investigating the safety of...

Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

View on PubMed
tier0_review A review of the aesthetic treatment of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue: background, implications, and therapeutic options. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] · 2015 · PMID 25521101

Abstract summary (English) BACKGROUND: The demand for aesthetic body sculpting procedures has expanded precipitously in recent years. Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) deposits of the central abdomen are especially common areas of concern for both males and females. OBJECTIVE: To review the available literature regarding the underlying pathophysiology of subcutaneous fat accumulation in the abdominal area and available treatment options.

Journal Article, Review

View on PubMed

Suggested interpretation

For reference

Personalized evidence report

Tell us more about your concern
and the Glass Lab bot will build a personalized report for you.

Based on the HIFU lifting · Abdominal fat information on this page, we'll email you an evidence summary tailored to your skin condition and treatment stage.

Concerns of interest (select multiple)
Decision stage
← Other indications for the same procedure group  |  Other procedures for the same indication →