Scan & Sculpt: why we scan your face before choosing a lifting device
Written by Dr. Bank · Our approach · 4 min read
Two people can both say "my face is sagging" and need completely different treatments. One may have thin skin that needs firming. Another may have heavy fat pads that need lifting, or lost volume that needs replacing. Guessing from the surface is how people end up with the wrong device, too many shots, or a face that looks hollow afterwards.
That's why every lifting case starts with Scan & Sculpt: the doctor scans your facial layers with ultrasound before any energy is delivered, to plan exactly where it goes. There's no extra charge.
What the scan shows
- Skin thickness in different areas of your face.
- Fat layers, such as how much fat sits in the cheeks and under the jaw.
- The depth of the SMAS, the firm lifting layer that HIFU targets.
- Differences between the left and right side, which are common and change how we treat each side.
How it changes your plan
| What we see | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Thin skin, little fat, hollow areas | Go gentle on lifting energy. Restore volume first with filler or a collagen stimulator such as Sculptra or Juvelook. |
| Thicker fat pads, heavy jowls | HIFU such as LinearZ or Ultherapy at the right depth, sometimes with thread lifting. |
| Loose, crepey skin but good structure | RF such as Oligio or Density to firm the skin itself. |
| Both sagging and loose skin | A combination, for example our Oligio x LinearZ combo. |
The scan also helps the doctor choose which depths to use and how many shots each area needs, so energy goes where it helps and not where it could thin out your face.
What happens at your visit
- Talk: what bothers you and the look you want.
- Scan: a quick, painless ultrasound with gel, a few minutes per side. Free of charge.
- Plan: the doctor explains what the scan shows, then recommends the treatment, depth and number of shots, with the price, before anything starts.
- Treat: if you're happy with the plan, treatment can often be done the same day.
Why it matters
Lifting devices are only as good as where the energy is placed. Scanning first means a plan built for your face, not a standard package. It's the same idea behind Ultherapy PRIME, which has imaging built in. With Scan & Sculpt we bring that thinking to every lifting plan.
Related reading: Ultherapy vs Ultraformer vs LinearZ · Thermage vs Density vs Oligio
Results vary from person to person. This article is general information, not medical advice.