Body Sculpting with Ultrasound Cavitation
What is ultrasonic cavitation treatment?
Ultrasonic cavitation, also called ultrasonic lipolysis, is a body contouring treatment that is used to remove fat deposits under your skin. It can also be referred to by brand names, such as Liponix or Ultrashape.
This procedure is a safer alternative to surgical options, like liposuction. The treatment uses ultrasonic radio waves to break apart fat cells, which are then absorbed into your body by your lymphatic system.
Ultrasonic cavitation is different than other similar treatments, like ultrasound liposuction, because it doesn’t require any incisions. This means recovery is easier. It also means that results might be less noticeable.
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The ideal candidate for ultrasonic cavitation:
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is in good overall health
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doesn’t smoke
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has realistic expectations
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is already within 15 pounds of their goal weight
Ultrasonic cavitation is meant to target small areas of fat and help contour your body. It isn’t a treatment for people who are trying to lose a lot of weight.
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The verdict is still out on how well ultrasound cavitation works. There’s promising evidence to suggest that this is an effective body contouring treatment.
If you’re considering this treatment for yourself, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the costs, side effects, procedure, recovery time, and more.
How much does ultrasonic cavitation cost?
Ultrasonic cavitation is considered an elective cosmetic procedure. That means that you’ll have to pay for the treatment, as well as any associated costs, completely out of pocket. Insurance doesn’t typically cover body contouring, which includes ultrasound cavitation.
The average cost can vary widely and depends on:
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which machine is used for the treatment
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the experience level of your provider
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how many treatments you need
The average cost of nonsurgical fat removal treatment is $1,300.
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There aren’t a lot of additional costs for this treatment besides your provider’s fee. No anesthesia is typically necessary.
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Ultrasonic cavitation appeals to many people partly because recovery time is minimal.
This treatment is advertised as a “lunch break procedure,” meaning that your appointment can usually be completed in less than an hour. You can drive immediately afterward, and you can even return directly to work after having it done.
How does ultrasonic cavitation work?
Ultrasonic cavitation relies on ultrasound technology to break apart fat cells.
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Ultrasound waves are sent deep into the layers of your skin, causing a disruptive vibration. Fat cells then break apart from each other and are dislodged from your dermal layers.
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After a few days, the fat cells are absorbed by your lymphatic system and drained as waste from your body.
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It’s difficult to tell how effective this treatment is, but recent research is promising.
A small 2019 studyTrusted Source tested the effectiveness of ultrasonic cavitation for 50 women who were considered medically overweight.
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Half of the women simply followed a low-calorie diet, while the other half had the low-calorie diet with radiofrequency and ultrasound body contouring procedures.
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After 5 weeks, the women who had been given ultrasonic cavitation showed a reduction in body fat mass. Interestingly, they didn’t lose more weight than the other group — they simply lost body fat.
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Another small studyTrusted Source done much earlier in 2007 followed 30 individuals who were all given ultrasonic cavitation body contouring treatment.
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Participants all saw a reduction in body fat mass after three treatments. The treated body fat area was reduced in size by one to three centimeters at the conclusion of the study.
This study also showed that study participants didn’t lose weight – they just lost fat.
What to expect after ultrasonic cavitation
After ultrasonic cavitation, you should be able to stand up and drive yourself home.
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Pain and bruising are usually minimal. You’ll be instructed to hydrate as much as possible after the procedure to help your body flush the fatty cells through your lymphatic system.
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But don’t expect to see results right away. Right after your appointment, your body might feel puffy or swollen. It takes time for your body to break down and dissolve the fat cells that have been dislodged.
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You may also require repeated treatments to see visible results. Most candidates for this treatment see their final result within 6 to 12 weeks. On average, treatment requires 1 to 3 visits for visible results.
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Results of this treatment are permanent, as long as you maintain a healthy diet and exercise. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, fat deposits may return to areas that have been treated.
Before and after pictures
