Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization for Arm and Abdomen Skin Quality: Global Perspective Beyond the Face

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Microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V; Ulthera System; Ulthera, Inc) is globally recognized for its ability to noninvasively lift the face and neck and to improve lines and wrinkles on the décolletage through the precise delivery of microfocused ultrasound energy. Its effectiveness has been underscored by a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of 29 studies, which reported a pooled patient satisfaction rate of 84% and significant improvements in skin laxity and firmness.¹ These findings spanned a range of facial and off-face treatment zones, reinforcing the potential of MFU-V across multiple anatomical areas.

As the aesthetics field continues to evolve, so too does patient interest in achieving comprehensive skin quality improvements beyond the face. With the growing demand for safe, noninvasive options for areas such as the arms and abdomen, clinicians worldwide are increasingly exploring how MFU-V might support these goals.

How MFU-V Works

Microfocused ultrasound creates thermal coagulation points at precise depths, activating the body’s natural healing response. The result is the formation of new collagen and elastin as well as long-term tissue remodeling.² This is guided by real-time visualization, enabling practitioners to deliver energy safely to the right layer, which is integral for treating body areas with anatomical variability.³

“Only MFU-V enables physicians to see…detail in the tissue, empowering us to design fully individualized treatments.... With now improved real-time visualization, MFU-V transforms precision into possibility, ensuring we tailor each treatment to the unique anatomy and needs of every patient.”
—Tatjana Pavicic, MD, PhD

Although applications primarily focus on the face and neck, scientific literature and expert discussions are spotlighting the potential of MFU-V for broader applications.

MFU-V on the Arms and Abdomen

Although promising combination treatments have been explored in the literature, the monotherapy studies have most clearly supported MFU-V’s standalone potential for body skin quality. These peer-reviewed investigations highlight improvements in tone, elasticity, and patient satisfaction.

Upper arms

Upper arm laxity is a commonly reported aesthetic concern. A review on upper-arm contouring described brachial laxity as a frequent complaint among women, with contributing factors including weight fluctuation, pregnancy, and age-related dermal thinning.⁴ Two studies dating back to 2012 were the first to suggest MFU-V’s potential in treating upper arm skin laxity.^5,6 One portion of a study addressing lax and crepey skin included 44 participants treated for brachial laxity. Skin quality benefits, including smoothing and tightening, were generally observed in the majority of patients 3 to 6 months post treatment, with these benefits lasting 6 to 18 months, depending on the area treated.⁵

“MFU-V takes nonsurgical…treatments to a new level, with faster treatment times. Its natural synergy with injectable treatments makes it an important foundational device for…treatments in my clinic.”
 —Frank Lin, MBBS, FRACS

The second 2012 study found that MFU-V treatments improved skin lifting, with dual-depth approaches also enhancing texture.⁶ In a 2020 randomized study comparing application techniques, both single-plane and dual-plane methods provided a skin tightening effect in the upper arm, with improvements measured up to 6 months post treatment.⁷

“MFU-V is the gold standard treatment for noninvasive skin lifting. Especially with the increasing number of patients on GLP-1 medications, we are performing more treatments with the next-generation
MFU-V, [and] not only on the face.”
—Jennifer Levine, MD

Abdomen

The abdominal area is one of the most common aesthetic concerns,⁸ especially post pregnancy. Early studies reported encouraging results from a single MFU-V session, with effects visible at 3 months and persisting to 12 months.⁵ A randomized study found that multiple treatment approaches improved skin laxity, particularly among women who had undergone childbirth.⁹ In a focused prospective study, MFU-V applied to the lower abdomen of postpartum women resulted in improvements in skin laxity grading within 6 months.¹⁰ Patient satisfaction scores were high, and histological findings confirmed increased collagen synthesis and tissue remodeling.¹⁰

“Latin America is an eclectic region, but what we all have in common is an appreciation for natural beauty and a balance between face and body. We are very physically expressive, and confidence in our bodies allows us to express ourselves freely.”
—Julieta Spada, MD

Looking Ahead

There’s clear momentum toward expanding MFU-V applications beyond the face. As more data emerge and technology improves, the shift from facial rejuvenation to skin quality in anatomically diverse regions, such as the arms and abdomen, is becoming a tangible frontier. Although current use remains focused on the upper face and décolleté, growing clinical insights and peer-reviewed literature highlight the potential for broader future applications. Skin quality isn’t confined to the face, and thanks to ongoing innovation in energy-based devices, neither are the treatment possibilities.

References

1. Amiri M, Ajasllari G, Llane A, et al. Microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) effectiveness and safety: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aesthet Surg J. 2025;45(3):NP86-NP94. doi:10.1093/asj/sjae228

2. Marquardt K, Hartmann C, Wegener F, et al. Microfocused ultrasound with visualization induces remodeling of collagen and elastin within the skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(1):e16638. doi:10.1111/jocd.16638

3. Vachiramon V, Pavicic T, Casabona G, et al. Microfocused ultrasound in regenerative aesthetics: a narrative review on mechanisms of action and clinical outcomes. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(2):e16658. doi:10.1111/jocd.16658

4. Wollina U, Goldman A. Upper arm contouring – a narrative review. Georgian Med News. 2022;11(332):29-35.

5. Sasaki GH, Tevez A. Microfocused ultrasound for nonablative skin and subdermal tightening to the periorbitum and body sites: preliminary report on eighty-two patients. J Cosmet Dermatol Sci Appl. 2012;2(2):108-116. doi:10.4236/jcdsa.2012.222022

6. Alster TS, Tanzi EL. Noninvasive lifting of arm, thigh, and knee skin with transcutaneous intense focused ultrasound. Dermatol Surg. 2012;38(5):754-759. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2012.02338.x

7. Vachiramon V, Triyangkulsri K, Iamsumang W, Chayavichitsilp P. Single-plane versus dual-plane microfocused ultrasound with visualization in the treatment of upper arm skin laxity: a randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial. Lasers Surg Med. 2021;53(4):476-481. doi:10.1002/lsm.23307

8. Harris DL, Carr AT. Prevalence of concern about physical appearance in the general population. Br J Plast Surg. 2001;54(3):223-226. doi:10.1054/bjps.2001.3550

9. Vachiramon V, Triyangkulsri K, Iamsumang W, Chayavichitsilp P. Efficacy and safety of microfocused ultrasound with visualization in abdominal skin laxity: a randomized, comparative study. Lasers Surg Med. 2020;52(9):831-836. doi:10.1002/lsm.23234

10. Lin FG. Nonsurgical treatment of postpartum lower abdominal skin and soft-tissue laxity using microfocused ultrasound with visualization. Dermatol Surg. 2020;46(12):1683-1690. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000002576

Tatjana Pavicic, MD, PhD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Munich, Germany, and is internationally recognized for her expertise in aesthetic dermatology and noninvasive procedures. Frank Lin, MBBS, FRACS, is a plastic surgeon in Melbourne, Australia, and is a key opinion leader in injectable and minimally invasive aesthetic treatments. Julieta Spada, MD, is a leading dermatologist in Argentina with a focus on natural outcomes and personalized patient care in skin quality treatments. Jennifer Levine, MD, is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in New York, New York, integrating advanced technologies into comprehensive rejuvenation plans. Matthew Jackson, PhD, is a medical affairs specialist at Merz Aesthetics, leading global publication efforts around skin quality.

Disclosures: Pavicic is a consultant, investigator, and lecturer for Merz Aesthetics.