Ultrashape is a non-invasive, cosmetic fat removal machine FDA-approved to remove fat cells in the abdominal area. It also works on the thighs, buttocks, and lovehandles, though these are off-label uses. It’s much more convenient than other types of fat removal because it doesn’t involve breaking the skin or sticking a foreign object inside the body. Fat is not removed by hand or through the use of a suction device. There are no knives or no needles, and there’s no general anesthesia. Patients can undergo treatment sessions fully conscious with nothing more than a numbing cream and an oral sedative. This significantly cuts down on the risk of complications. It also reduces recovery times, and it means that patients won’t have to withstand large amounts of pain or discomfort. It could be considered a high-tech advancement and an improvement on older methods, such as tummy tucks and liposuction. But it’s also quite a bit less painful than similar devices, including Liposonix. The mechanisms behind Ultrashape are relatively new. The device wasn’t approved until 2014. It’s unique when compared to other devices which rely on ultrasound because it doesn’t heat fat cells. This means there’s no chance of burning or affecting the surrounding tissue. It leaves blood vessels and nerve endings intact, focusing instead on the fat beneath the skin.
The process to undergo Ultrashape begins with an intiai consultation, during which the patient will be assessed for candidacy. Their individual biological characteristics and personal aesthetic goals will be used to develop a tailor-suited treatment plan, designed to help them make the most out of their therapy. If they qualify, they will be given a list of preparatory instructions to follow, and the session will be scheduled for a later date. On the day of their next appointment, they will be given medication such as a benzodiazepine or an opioid to help calm their nerves and reduce any pain or discomfort that may occur. A map will be drawn over the target site, which will be uploaded to a computer to help guide the provider during the process. The patient will be given a belt to wear. Gel will be applied, and a handpiece will be brushed against the skin in a strategic pattern. This handpiece delivers pulsed ultrasound waves, which can be altered to target specific elevations and termpatures beneath the skin. This creates pressure cavities in the subcutaneous fat cells, which reside beneath the middle dermal layer. It ruptures the cell membranes, essentially causing them to die off. They are then disposed of through the body’s natural processes.