Combining High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and Radiofrequency (RF)

Hello.

I'm Dr. Tae Hoon Kim, board-certified dermatologist, thinking about your skin 10 and 20 years from now.

To target the deep layer of the skin (SMAS), the type of energy applied and its wavelength range need to be chosen carefully.

Radiofrequency can be applied deeply, as with XERF, but an even easier approach is to use focused ultrasound.

In the past, the only option for addressing this was Ultherapy PRIME.

As dermatology devices have gone through a generational change, devices using a variety of approaches have been released, and lately I have been focusing on V-RO Advance.

Today, for those of you considering V-RO Advance, I'd like to talk about it in depth.

As I always say, the most important thing about a medical device is 'stability'.

The key is how stably it can deliver bulk energy into the skin.

V-RO Advance is of course known for being able to use radiofrequency and focused ultrasound together, but what really matters is its sensor.

The point is that it achieves this stability by removing triggers that could cause side effects as energy enters the skin.

On top of this, another advantage is that it can work powerfully at high output.

Compared with other devices, it can deliver enough energy to make the skin healthy with relatively few shots.

"V-RO Advance, compared with 'Ulthermage'."

If you had to name the main dermatology devices, they would be Thermage FLX and Ultherapy PRIME.

Thermage FLX, which improves the skin environment using high-output energy far higher than you might think,

and Ultherapy PRIME, recently upgraded to tighten the skin even more precisely with ultrasound energy — a treatment that applies the two together is called 'Ulthermage'.

But 'Ulthermage' has one drawback: the cost.

Because of the relatively high financial cost, it is not really an easy choice to make.

In this respect, V-RO Advance can be a much more cost-effective choice.

This is because it combines radiofrequency + ultrasound while still being available at a relatively lower cost.

Another advantage is that, being a Korean-made device, it is highly suited to Korean skin.

A shorter treatment time with V-RO Advance?

A common misconception is that simply scattering shots across the skin makes for a good treatment.

What matters is deciding which areas need higher energy concentrated on them and distributing the shots without gaps.

V-RO Advance offers a choice of two modes, Dot mode and Line mode, so the energy can be concentrated more effectively as the cartridge is rolled over the skin.

Because shots can be distributed this easily, the treatment time is said to be shorter than with other devices.

It can be a good option especially if you want delicate treatment of narrow, curved areas.

Treatment points from a board-certified dermatologist

If you are reading my post after searching for a lifting device by name, there are a few things you should check.

First, you do not have to insist on V-RO Advance specifically.

Everyone's skin is different, and there are many people whose skin does not respond well to radiofrequency.

Because of the nature of electrical energy, it tends to linger near the skin surface; this refers to skin in which it cannot be delivered deeply enough.

In such cases, a radiofrequency treatment such as XERF may be a better fit.

So rather than choosing a dermatology clinic by device name, the first step is to find a board-certified dermatologist and have a consultation.

Second is planning the intervals between sessions.

When high-output energy is applied to the skin, the skin needs time to recover.

If this is overlooked when planning the intervals between sessions, it can affect the results and may even lead to side effects.

A board-certified dermatologist plans the sessions so that the laser-lifting energy can work more effectively on the skin.

Third is pain management.

However good a treatment may be, people who are sensitive to pain are bound to hesitate.

At our clinic, we use a triple anesthesia system to help you receive treatment more comfortably.

Conscious sedation can also be used if needed.

Why I compare V-RO Advance to a high-end car

Everyone is worried about fuel prices these days, aren't they?

A hybrid car, which uses both an engine and a motor, has the advantage of very good fuel efficiency.

Not only that, the engine shuts off on downhill roads, on straight roads at low speed and when the car is stopped, which also makes it 'eco-friendly'.

V-RO Advance is clearly a high-end device, combining strong output with the ability to use two types of energy together.

It can also be combined with other devices, so if you are looking for a treatment that is both stable and effective, I recommend starting with a consultation.

Thank you for reading this long post.

Written by: Dr. Tae Hoon Kim, board-certified dermatologist