Ambyst Technique: A Structured Anatomical Vector-Based Approach for Non-Surgical Facial Lifting Using Microfocused Ultrasound—A 20-Patient Case Series with 20-Month Follow-up
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61384/r.c.a..v6i3.2075Palabras clave:
ambyst technique, microfocused ultrasound, non-surgical facial lifting, facial rejuvenation, facial laxity, aesthetic medicineResumen
This study aimed to describe the clinical outcomes and safety of the Ambyst Technique for non-surgical facial lifting using microfocused ultrasound. A longitudinal observational case series included 20 adults with mild-to-moderate facial laxity who underwent a single treatment session. All procedures were performed by the same physician using 4.5-mm and 3.0-mm transducers according to a standardized, anatomically guided, vector-based protocol. Clinical outcomes were assessed qualitatively by the treating physician through standardized photographs obtained at baseline and at 4 and 20 months. Treatment-related adverse events were recorded throughout follow-up. Twenty patients, comprising 17 women and 3 men aged 36–60 years, completed the 20-month follow-up. Photographic assessment identified visible improvement in facial contour and skin laxity in all patients at 4 months, which remained observable at 20 months. Adverse events were mild and transient, including procedural pain, edema, tenderness to palpation, and temporary paresthesia in three patients. No major or permanent complications were observed. These findings support the clinical feasibility of the Ambyst Technique but do not establish comparative efficacy. Prospective controlled studies using validated outcome measures and independent evaluators are required to assess its efficacy and reproducibility
Citas
Alam, M., White, L. E., Martin, N., Witherspoon, J., Yoo, S., & West, D. P. (2010). Ultrasound tightening of facial and neck skin: A rater-blinded prospective cohort study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 62(2), 262–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2009.06.041 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2009.06.039
Alhaddad, M., Wu, D. C., Bolton, J., Wilson, M. J., Jones, I. T., Boen, M., & Goldman, M. P. (2019). A randomized, split-face, evaluator-blind clinical trial comparing monopolar radiofrequency versus microfocused ultrasound with visualization for lifting and tightening of the face and upper neck. Dermatologic Surgery, 45(1), 131–139. https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000001653 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000001653
Amiri, M., Ajasllari, G., Llane, A., Casabona, G., Pavicic, T., Sevi, J., Spada, J., Wanitphakdeedecha, R., Vasconcelos, R., Siew Tuck Wah, Muka, T., & Fabi, S. G. (2025). Microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) effectiveness and safety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 45(3), NP86–NP94. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjae228 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjae228
Aşiran Serdar, Z., Aktaş Karabay, E., Tatlıparmak, A., & Aksoy, B. (2020). Efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound in facial and neck rejuvenation. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(2), 353–358. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13008
Ayatollahi, A., Gholami, J., Saberi, M., Hosseini, H., & Firooz, A. (2020). Systematic review and meta-analysis of safety and efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for face and neck rejuvenation. Lasers in Medical Science, 35(5), 1007–1024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-02957-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-02957-9
Azuelos, A., SidAhmed-Mezi, M., La Padula, S., Aboud, C., Meningaud, J.-P., & Hersant, B. (2019). High-intensity focused ultrasound: A satisfactory noninvasive procedure for neck rejuvenation. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 39(8), NP343–NP351. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjz093 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjz093
Coleman, S. R., & Grover, R. (2006). The anatomy of the aging face: Volume loss and changes in 3-dimensional topography. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 26(1 Suppl.), S4–S9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asj.2005.09.012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asj.2005.09.012
Contini, M., Hollander, M. H. J., Vissink, A., Schepers, R. H., Jansma, J., & Schortinghuis, J. (2023). A systematic review of the efficacy of microfocused ultrasound for facial skin tightening. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), 1522. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021522 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021522
Coronado García, J. (2026). Evaluación clínica de lifting facial no quirúrgico mediante ultrasonido microfocalizado utilizando la técnica “Ambyst”: Reporte de caso con seguimiento a 20 meses. Estudios y Perspectivas Revista Científica y Académica, 6(1), 7437–7450. https://doi.org/10.61384/r.c.a..v6i1.1709 DOI: https://doi.org/10.61384/r.c.a..v6i1.1709
Fabi, S. G. (2015). Noninvasive skin tightening: Focus on new ultrasound techniques. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 8, 47–52. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S69118 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S69118
Friedman, O., Isman, G., Koren, A., Shoshany, H., Sprecher, E., & Artzi, O. (2020). Intense focused ultrasound for neck and lower face skin tightening: A prospective study. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 19(4), 850–854. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13313 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13313
Kempen, J. H. (2011). Appropriate use and reporting of uncontrolled case series in the medical literature. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 151(1), 7–10.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2010.08.047 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2010.08.047
Kerscher, M., Nurrisyanti, A. T., Eiben-Nielson, C., Hartmann, S., & Lambert-Baumann, J. (2019). Skin physiology and safety of microfocused ultrasound with visualization for improving skin laxity. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 12, 71–79. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S188586 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S188586
Lee, H. S., Jang, W. S., Cha, Y.-J., Choi, Y.-H., Tak, Y., Hwang, E., Kim, B. J., & Kim, M. N. (2012). Multiple pass ultrasound tightening of skin laxity of the lower face and neck. Dermatologic Surgery, 38(1), 20–27. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.02158.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.02158.x
Ling, J., & Zhao, H. (2023). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy and patients’ satisfaction of micro-focused ultrasound treatment for facial rejuvenation and tightening. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 47(5), 1806–1823. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03384-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03384-1
Lu, P.-H., Yang, C.-H., & Chang, Y.-C. (2017). Quantitative analysis of face and neck skin tightening by microfocused ultrasound with visualization in Asians. Dermatologic Surgery, 43(11), 1332–1338. https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000001181 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/DSS.0000000000001181
Mendelson, B., & Wong, C.-H. (2012). Changes in the facial skeleton with aging: Implications and clinical applications in facial rejuvenation. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 36(4), 753–760. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-012-9904-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-012-9904-3
Mendelson, B. C., & Jacobson, S. R. (2008). Surgical anatomy of the midcheek: Facial layers, spaces, and the midcheek segments. Clinics in Plastic Surgery, 35(3), 395–404. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2008.02.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2008.02.003
Murad, M. H., Sultan, S., Haffar, S., & Bazerbachi, F. (2018). Methodological quality and synthesis of case series and case reports. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, 23(2), 60–63. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjebm-2017-110853 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjebm-2017-110853
Oni, G., Hoxworth, R., Teotia, S., Brown, S., & Kenkel, J. M. (2014). Evaluation of a microfocused ultrasound system for improving skin laxity and tightening in the lower face. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 34(7), 1099–1110. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820X14541956 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820X14541956
Park, J.-Y., Lin, F., Suwanchinda, A., Wanitphakdeedecha, R., Yu, J., Lim, T. S., Chen, J. F., Ho, W., Lim, J., Juniarty, L., Kee, Y. S., Youn, S. J., & Fabi, S. G. (2021). Customized treatment using microfocused ultrasound with visualization for optimized patient outcomes: A review of skin-tightening energy technologies and a Pan-Asian adaptation of the expert panel’s gold standard consensus. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 14(5), E70–E79. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8211327/
Persichetti, P., Simone, P., Langella, M., Marangi, G. F., & Carusi, C. (2007). Digital photography in plastic surgery: How to achieve reasonable standardization outside a photographic studio. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 31(2), 194–200. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-006-0125-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-006-0125-5
Rohrich, R. J., & Pessa, J. E. (2007). The fat compartments of the face: Anatomy and clinical implications for cosmetic surgery. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 119(7), 2219–2227. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.prs.0000265403.66886.54 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.prs.0000265403.66886.54
Suh, D. H., Shin, M. K., Lee, S. J., Rho, J. H., Lee, M. H., Kim, N. I., & Song, K. Y. (2011). Intense focused ultrasound tightening in Asian skin: Clinical and pathologic results. Dermatologic Surgery, 37(11), 1595–1602. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.02094.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.02094.x
von Elm, E., Altman, D. G., Egger, M., Pocock, S. J., Gøtzsche, P. C., & Vandenbroucke, J. P. (2007). The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: Guidelines for reporting observational studies. BMJ, 335(7624), 806–808. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39335.541782.AD DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39335.541782.AD
Werschler, W. P., & Werschler, P. S. (2016). Long-term efficacy of micro-focused ultrasound with visualization for lifting and tightening lax facial and neck skin using a customized vectoring treatment method. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 9(2), 27–33. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4771387/
White, W. M., Makin, I. R. S., Barthe, P. G., Slayton, M. H., & Gliklich, R. E. (2007). Selective creation of thermal injury zones in the superficial musculoaponeurotic system using intense ultrasound therapy: A new target for noninvasive facial rejuvenation. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, 9(1), 22–29. https://doi.org/10.1001/archfaci.9.1.22 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/archfaci.9.1.22
World Medical Association. (2025). World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical principles for medical research involving human participants. JAMA, 333(1), 71–74. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.21972 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2024.21972
Publicado
Cómo citar
Número
Sección
Licencia
Derechos de autor 2026 Jonathan Coronado García

Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución 4.0.

















