Shrink Universe Procedure Guide

*Understanding High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Lifting

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) lifting is a non-surgical method that concentrates ultrasound energy deep within the skin. This promotes the production of collagen inside the skin, ultimately leading to an expected lifting effect.

Similar to how a magnifying glass focuses sunlight into one spot, this procedure precisely concentrates ultrasound energy at the desired depth within the skin. During this process, a momentary high-temperature state is formed, creating tiny thermal coagulation points (TCP) within the skin tissue.

These formed thermal coagulation points reach a temperature of approximately 60-70 degrees Celsius. Without causing damage to surrounding skin tissues, only the areas where heat is concentrated are selectively stimulated, inducing collagen denaturation and new collagen production.

HIFU is one of the non-invasive treatment methods that can deliver energy deep into the skin's SMAS layer (musculoaponeurotic system). This SMAS layer is an area similar to the anatomical structure primarily addressed during surgical facelifts.

When energy is delivered to the SMAS layer, the tissue temporarily contracts, which can also promote the reorganization of collagen fibers. Through this, a gradual lifting effect can be expected over time.

Since HIFU procedures deliver energy without directly damaging the epidermis, the burden of recovery time after treatment may be reduced. It is also relatively widely applicable to various skin types.

*Treatment Objectives by Cartridge (1.5mm / 3.0mm / 4.5mm / 6.0mm / 9.0mm)

-1.5mm (Upper Dermis Layer)

It can help alleviate fine wrinkles on thin skin.

It can be applied to wrinkles in delicate areas such as around the eyes, glabella, and mouth.

You can expect improvements in skin texture, pore management, and overall skin tone.

-3.0mm (Lower Dermis Layer)

It can help improve skin elasticity around the cheeks and nasolabial folds.

It focuses on managing early-stage skin laxity and pores to make them more elastic.

It can contribute to giving a firm feeling deep within the skin.

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-4.5mm (SMAS Layer)

It can be used for facial contour management, including deep cheeks, jawline, and double chin.

It is expected to induce deep tissue contraction and alleviate sagging.

It can be considered for moderate to severe skin laxity.

-6.0mm (Upper Body Fat Layer)

It delivers energy to the upper fat layer of body areas such as the abdomen, flanks, and thighs.

It can help improve the appearance of cellulite and control the volume of localized fat areas.

It is mainly used for areas where fat has partially accumulated due to decreased skin elasticity.

-9.0mm (Deep Body Fat Layer)

It concentrates ultrasound energy on relatively deep fat layers in areas such as thick abdomen, inner thighs, and buttocks.

It can induce the contraction of deep fat layers, contributing to overall body contour management.

Rather than immediate skin tightening, it aims for the long-term rearrangement of adipose tissue.

Each cartridge has a distinct purpose of use depending on the depth of the target treatment area.

For example, the 1.5mm cartridge is mainly used for fine wrinkles and skin texture management, the 3.0mm for improving skin elasticity and tightening, and the 4.5mm for lifting effects in deeper layers.

The 6.0mm tip for the body acts on the upper fat layer, expecting fat volume control and elasticity improvement, while the 9.0mm tip targets deeper fat layer management.

*Utilization of DOT Mode and MP Mode

DOT mode delivers energy point by point, which is advantageous for creating delicate treatment plans. This can induce a relatively immediate tissue contraction response.

When applied to curved and sensitive areas such as around the eyes, mouth, chin, and nasolabial folds, careful treatment is required. With the delicate control of experienced medical professionals, personalized lifting management can be focused on.

MP mode irradiates energy in a linear fashion at regular intervals, making it easy to efficiently manage relatively large areas. This can be considered when aiming for an overall facial lifting effect.

It is an efficient method for those who desire lifting management for large areas and can help relatively reduce the burden of pain during the procedure.

Using DOT mode and MP mode together can yield complementary effects. It is common to combine overall contour management (MP) with precise lifting of specific areas (DOT) to pursue more detailed improvements.

*Shrink Universe Procedure Guide

Shrink Universe is even more effective in the following situations.

By efficiently utilizing different types of handpieces,

and systematically combining Dot Mode and MP Mode.

This treatment approach can deliver the expected results.

For curved or highly contoured areas of the face, a pen-type handpiece is used for precise treatment. Wider areas are efficiently managed with MP Mode, while Dot Mode is concentrated on key lifting points, allowing for delicate treatment that considers the overall facial contour.

The treatment is performed by adjusting energy depth, selecting the handpiece, and combining modes. This is based on a precise plan that considers each individual's skin condition.

Those who desire natural lifting without significant disruption to daily life, or those wishing to improve overall skin elasticity and sagging, may consider Shrink Universe treatment.

Is Shrink Universe less effective than Ultherapy?

To begin with,

When treating with the same output, depth, and number of shots,

there may not be a significant difference in treatment results between Shrink Universe and Ultherapy.

Both devices utilize High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) technology,

delivering thermal energy to the SMAS layer located deep within the skin.

This induces collagen contraction and regeneration, leading to expected lifting effects.

For example,

Shrink Universe (Dot Mode) 1.0j x 300 shots

Similar to Ultherapy 1.0j x 300 shots, the total amount of energy delivered is 300J.

The duration of HIFU treatment results depends less on the name of the specific device used,

and more on how the skin tissue responds to the thermal coagulation reaction.

The extent to which skin tissue responds to thermal coagulation,

is in part determined by the total amount of focused ultrasound energy delivered.

Treatment Guide

1. Shrink Universe utilizes High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). This upgraded Shrink lifting method concentrates energy on the SMAS layer of faces that have lost elasticity and sagged due to aging, inducing collagen regeneration and tissue contraction to help improve overall elasticity.

2. The treatment speed is more than twice as fast compared to the existing Shrink. The Ultra Booster pen-type handpiece precisely delivers ultrasonic energy not only to the V-line, cheeks, and cheekbones, but also to delicate areas with many curves or around the eyes, enabling more detailed lifting.

3. The accelerated ultrasound delivery speed shortens treatment time and reduces pain, allowing patients to receive treatment more comfortably. With energy that generates approximately 400 thermal coagulation points per shot, enhanced effects can be expected.

Treatment Advantages

• 01. Approximately 400 thermal coagulation points are formed per shot, efficiently delivering energy.
• 02. Utilizing two ultrasound modes allows for selective treatment tailored to skin condition and treatment area.
• 03. Delicately approaches small, contoured areas to assist with lifting.
• 04. The bi-directional delivery method increases treatment speed, reduces pain burden, and is expected to improve skin elasticity.

Recommended for

• 01. Individuals concerned about changes in their impression due to sagging facial lines.
• 02. Those who desire lifting of delicate, contoured areas along with an overall firmer facial contour.
• 03. Individuals concerned about wrinkles caused by aging.
• 04. Those who expect more thorough and precise lifting than with the existing Shrink.

Treatment Process

• STEP 01. Self-cleansing
• STEP 02. Gel application
• STEP 03. Shrink Universe treatment begins
• STEP 04. Treatment completion

Post-treatment precautions

• If your skin is thin, temporary tip marks may appear on the treated area. These usually fade naturally and resolve within 1 to 2 weeks.
• After the procedure, mild redness, a burning sensation, throbbing, swelling, pain, toothache, or tooth sensitivity may occur in the treated area. While these symptoms vary from person to person, they generally improve within 1 to 2 weeks.

Customized Output Adjustment: A Procedure Thoughtfully Considering Pain and Efficacy

• Shrink has a lower baseline energy intensity than Ultherapy, so it's crucial to precisely adjust the output intensity during the procedure to match each individual's skin condition and response.
• During the procedure, we continuously communicate with our patients to monitor their pain levels and adjust the energy output accordingly. This helps us minimize discomfort while striving for satisfactory results.

Combining Ultherapy Mode (Dot Output): For Deeper Effects

• Shrink Universe primarily delivers ultrasound in a linear fashion, resulting in a broader heat distribution, unlike Ultherapy, which delivers energy in a dot-like pattern.
• However, Shrink also has a built-in Ultherapy mode with dot output, which can be utilized to achieve more concentrated lifting results in specific areas.
• Although it may take longer in some cases, we strive to apply Ultherapy mode together with Shrink to the necessary areas for a more detailed and precise treatment.

Essential Design: Precisely Delivering Energy to Necessary Areas

• Even with fewer shots, the procedure is conducted with a meticulous pre-treatment design process to balance the face and achieve the desired lifting effect.
• Rather than simply focusing on the number of shots, we meticulously plan and design where to precisely deliver the energy to ensure satisfactory results.

Delicate Tip Direction Adjustment

* Precise Tip Direction Setting

Considering facial contours and the effects of gravity, we plan to deliver ultrasound in a diagonal or upward direction.

This encourages the energy to act in a way that pulls the skin upwards.

As a result, you can expect a more natural yet distinct pulling effect.

During Shrink treatments, even the smallest detail, such as the tip's direction, is carefully considered.

* Applying the Tilt & Push-up Technique

This is not a simple method of placing the tip vertically on the skin.

The procedure is performed by tilting the tip obliquely and pushing the skin upwards.

This allows the coagulation points of the ultrasound energy to form upwards.

This can lead to a lifting effect that makes the facial structure appear to be pulled upwards.

Related studies have also reported that this technique induces a statistically significant lifting effect.

Considering these intricate details, we don't just stop at the design; we perform the procedure to ensure you achieve the expected results as designed.

Swelling Management Included: Dangguisusan Prescription to Aid Recovery

• Swelling may occur after Shrink treatment, and promptly reducing it helps with recovery.
• Here, we provide 'Dangguisusan,' a traditional Korean herbal prescription that can help alleviate swelling, at no additional cost, supporting a rapid reduction in edema and a smooth recovery process.

Pain Management Methods During Energy Adjustment for Efficacy

Pain during Shrink treatment,

can be lessened by using a vibration device.

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) lifting procedures

can inherently involve a certain degree of discomfort or pain.

At our clinic, to minimize such pain,

we actively use a vibration tool.

Stimulation using vibration reduces the brain's perception of pain,

and is based on the ‘Gate Control Theory’.

According to this theoretical basis,

we aim to help alleviate pain.

At KKEUT Korean Medicine Clinic,

Based on our extensive clinical experience and diverse knowledge,

we employ various techniques to minimize any discomfort or pain you might experience during treatment.

Specifically, we carefully adjust treatment angles, application methods, and techniques to reduce tooth vibrations,

paying meticulous attention to even the smallest details.

This is designed so that from the very start of your treatment until the results are evident,

you can comfortably go through the entire process without any burden.

If you are hesitant due to concerns about treatment pain,

we are dedicated to helping you experience the positive effects of treatment while minimizing discomfort.

KKEUT Korean Medicine Clinic provides care based on these principles.