BACKGROUND

Over the past decades, there has been an annual increase in the number of aesthetic treatments. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) are widely used in aesthetic medicine. It has been shown that the safety profile of combined treatment is comparable to the safety of each method separately, but the synergistic effect remains unstudied.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

5 patients were included. The treatment was performed in 4 zones on the inner part of the shoulder: combination of HIFU and PLLA in one session (1), consistent treatment with HIFU and PLLA with 1-month interval (2), HIFU (3), and PLLA (4). The control zone (5) was not treated. HIFU treatment was performed with a portable device equipped with a 7 MHz cartridge. Exposure depth was 6 mm, energy level was 1.35 J. 80 exposure lines were applied per 100 square cm. Suspension containing 150 mg of PLLA and 50 mg of sodium carboxymethylcellulose was reconstituted with 20 ml of water for injection with the addition of 2 ml of 2% lidocaine solution 30 minutes before administration. Skin hydration (corneometry) and elastic properties (cutometry) were assessed. Ultrasound scanning was performed to determine the thickness and echogenicity of tissues. Punch biopsy specimens of skin from one participant in 4 treatment zones and in the control area were evaluated by the standard histological method.

RESULTS

The synergistic effect from the combined treatment with HIFU and PLLA was confirmed in comparison with the results of isolated treatment in the dynamics of skin hydration, elasticity, echogenicity and histological examination.

CONCLUSION

The study results show that the combined application of HIFU and PLLA is substantiated.