What is the best ultrasonic cavitation frequency for fat reduction?

“TL;DR: High frequency ultrasound is more relevant to fat cells but there are no such cavitation machines available at high maximum powers. On the other hand, there are a handful of high maximum power low-frequency cavitation machines and these make sense for cellulite fat reduction.

BTW, to prevent obsessed people from literally burning themselves, there are no strong home use cavitation machines, so don’t waste your money on the low-power machines on the market.”

The ideal cavitation frequency for fast reduction

• High-power ultrasound cavitation for cellulite reduction (and sometimes for skin tightening)

• Cellulite fat removal, not deep fat removal

• Low frequency ultrasound cavitation

• High-frequency ultrasound cavitation

• 30kHz is the best frequency

• Have a cellulite treatment in London with the cellulite experts

• Discover our professional training in cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency and ultrasound

High-power ultrasound cavitation for cellulite reduction (and sometimes for skin tightening)

High-power ultrasound cavitation is one of the two best technologies for hypodermal fat reduction (cellulite reduction), together with deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency.

(Low power ultrasound simply doesn’t work, hence the term “high-power ultrasound”.)

Ultrasound cavitation can be also conditionally used for skin tightening too, with specific protocols.

Cellulite fat removal, not deep fat removal

On the other hand, you cannot efficiently remove subcutaneous fat (what people call ‘fat’) efficiently (i.e. more than 1-2mm, max) with ultrasound cavitation.

Furthermore, you cannot reduce subcutaneous fat efficiently with any other non-surgical method either, without risking adverse reactions.

So when we mention “cavitation fat removal” we mean cellulite fat removal, not deep (subcutaneous) fat removal.

So what is the best frequency for fat cavitation, even if it is only ‘cellulite fat cavitation’?

Low frequency ultrasound cavitation

There are different frequencies suggested regarding ultrasound cavitation treatment of cellulite removal: 3MHz, 300kHz, 80kHz, 60kHz, 40kHz and 30kHz.

With regard to kilohertz ultrasound (20-300kHz), it seems that adipose tissue cavitation is stronger at the lower frequencies, i.e. around 30kHz.

However, these are the ones that also emit a screeching sound into the body. The therapist cannot hear much of this sound but the client does. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s still annoying, especially so below 30kHz.

High-frequency ultrasound cavitation

Megahertz ultrasound is relevant for cellulite reduction at about 3MHz (reaches 5-20mm).

1MHz ultrasound is just too deep (20-50mm or more) and 10MHz is way too superficial (it reaches no deeper than 5mm, max).

Perhaps 2MHz (a bit deeper) or 5MHz (a bit more superficial) would also make sense.

Although mainly low kHz frequencies (30-80kHz) have been used for cellulite reduction, this does not mean that MHz frequencies (2MHz and above) are not effective.

There just seem to be technical barriers in producing strong enough MHz ultrasound transducers. The current MHz ultrasound systems are stuck at 12.5 Watts or less, while the kHz ultrasound systems are available at up to 75 Watts emitted ultrasound power.

Huge difference in power makes kilohertz ultrasound up to 6x times more efficient than megahertz ultrasound. This means that a MHz ultrasound cavitation treatment would take five times more time to treat the same area. If you have to treat the entire thighs and buttocks with MHz ultrasound, we are talking about several hours.

In fact I’d love to see a 50-Watt or 100-Watt 2-5MHz machine, as these frequencies focus very well in the tissues relevant to cellulite and the wavelength is also very relevant to adipocytes. However, nothing like this exists on the market at the moment.

(If your company or a company you know of offers such as machine, give us a shout here!)

30kHz is the best frequency

So to put it simply, 30kHz is currently the best frequency for cellulite reduction with ultrasound cavitation.

If it is also available at high power, i.e. at least 50W of emitted power (NOT input power), that’s great.

Needless to say, at low emitted powers, nothing happens.

Of course, all the above numbers are not set in stone: 28kHz will work just as well as 30kHz. And 40kHz won’t be far off either. And 60W won’t be much different to 75W etc.

Have a cellulite treatment in London with cellulite experts

At LipoTherapeia we have specialised 100% in skin tightening and cellulite reduction for more than two decades and 20,000+ sessions.

This is all we study and practise every day and have researched and tried hands-on all the important skin tightening equipment and their manufacturers.

As strong, deep acting radiofrequency and deep-acting, high-power ultrasound cavitation are the technologies of choice for skin tightening and cellulite reduction, we have invested in the best RF/ultrasound technologies in the world.

Furthermore, over the last two decades we have developed advanced RF and cavitation treatment protocols in order to make the most of our technologies, for maximum results, naturally and safely.

Our radiofrequency/ultrasound treatments are comfortable, pain-free, downtime-free, injection-free, microneedling-free, 99.5%+ safe and always non-invasive.

And our focus is on honest, realistic, science-based treatment, combined with caring, professional service, with a smile.

We will be pleased to see you, assess your cellulite, skin laxity or fibrosis, listen to your story, discuss your case and offer you the best possible treatment.

Learn more or check prices and book an expert treatment at our London clinic (49 Marylebone High Street, W1)

Discover our professional training in cellulite, skin tightening, radiofrequency and ultrasound

Do you want to deeply understand radiofrequency, ultrasound cavitation, cellulite and skin tightening?

Attend a half-day, 1-day or 2-day or 3-day professional consultancy / one-to-one masterclass and confidently offer your clients the safest, strongest and most effective treatment possible.

Service available via Zoom or at our central London practice.