Taula de Continguts
- Laxity or localised fat: two problems that get confused
- What body HIFU does and what the evidence says
- Abdomen, arms and knees: what is assessed in each area
- HIFU, cryolipolysis and INDIBA body: what each one works on
- Who should not have body HIFU, or not yet
- What to expect during and after the session
- How we work at Santé Madrid
- Frequently asked questions
Body HIFU is a focused ultrasound treatment designed mainly to improve the firmness of skin with mild or moderate laxity in areas such as the abdomen, the inner arms and the skin just above the knees. It is not a weight-loss treatment, and it does not replace surgery when there is a lot of excess skin. At Santé Madrid we work with Ultraformer MPT for face and body, and in this guide we explain what it can do in each of those three areas, how it differs from cryolipolysis and INDIBA body, and who should consider another option.
Key points
- Skin laxity and localised fat are different problems, and each one has different treatments.
- Body HIFU is aimed at skin firmness; the evidence on its effect on fat is still early.
- Abdomen, arms and knees are the body HIFU areas in the Santé Madrid catalogue, and each one has its own precautions.
- Cryolipolysis works on localised fat and INDIBA body is a radiofrequency treatment; they are sometimes combined, always according to the medical assessment.
- The medical team decides whether HIFU is suitable for you after an assessment, and results vary from skin to skin.
Laxity or localised fat: two problems that get confused
When someone says they do not like their abdomen or their arms, they may be talking about very different things. Sometimes the concern is the skin: it looks thinner, less taut, with small folds or a crinkled look when it moves. Other times the skin is fairly firm, but there is a fat deposit that is easy to pinch and does not change even with exercise. And very often the two coexist.
Telling them apart matters because each one responds to a different type of energy. Laxity has to do with collagen and the elasticity of the skin and of the tissue just beneath it. With age the body produces less collagen, and weight changes or pregnancy can stretch the skin of the abdomen and arms. Localised fat, on the other hand, depends on the adipose tissue under the skin and on factors such as genetics and lifestyle.
That is why the first question in the consultation is not which machine to use, but what exactly you are seeing in the mirror. The doctor examines the area, assesses the thickness of the skin fold, the quality of the skin and your weight history, and proposes a plan from there. If fat is the main issue, HIFU is not usually the first tool.
What body HIFU does and what the evidence says
HIFU stands for high-intensity focused ultrasound. According to Classys, the manufacturer of Ultraformer MPT, the device concentrates ultrasound waves at specific points, like a magnifying glass with light, and creates small thermal coagulation points that stimulate fibroblasts and collagen synthesis. The manufacturer lists interchangeable cartridges for face and body, with body depths of 6.0, 9.0 and 13 mm, and describes a collagen remodelling process that improves elasticity and firmness.
As for clinical evidence, an international expert consensus published in 2025, focused on microfocused ultrasound with visualisation, a related technology from another manufacturer, considers it a safe and effective non-invasive option for mild or moderate laxity of the abdomen and the upper arm. The same panel notes that the support for knees and buttocks comes from several studies with different protocols and that more experience is needed to define the parameters.
And fat? A 2026 bibliometric analysis shows that part of the research on body HIFU studies subcutaneous fat and waist circumference, but it describes the field as still early, with gaps on long-term outcomes and standardised parameters. That is why body HIFU is best understood mainly as a skin-firming treatment, not as a way to lose volume.
Abdomen, arms and knees: what is assessed in each area
The three body HIFU areas in the Santé Madrid catalogue have a different anatomy, and that changes what you can expect and the precautions involved. The table summarises the points the medical team usually reviews. It is a guide and does not replace the examination.
| Area | Typical concern | What is assessed | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abdomen | Less taut or crinkled skin around the navel, often after weight changes or pregnancies | Amount of excess skin, fat under the skin, scars and previous surgery | More caution is needed with a history of hernia, caesarean section or other surgery in the area |
| Arms | Soft skin on the inner and back of the arm | Tissue thickness, weight-loss history, skin quality | There are nerve and vascular structures on the inner side that call for careful planning |
| Knees | Crinkled or sagging skin just above the kneecap | Degree of laxity, skin texture, fat in the area | The evidence exists but protocols vary more than for the abdomen and arms |
The expert consensus cited above describes that, on the abdomen, laxity is usually related to age, weight fluctuations or pregnancy, and it recommends caution with a history of abdominal hernia, previous surgery, piercings in the area or a low body mass index. On the arms, the same document stresses avoiding the neurovascular structures on the inner side and being especially careful after significant weight loss. In all three cases, the most suitable starting point is mild or moderate laxity, not marked excess skin.
HIFU, cryolipolysis and INDIBA body: what each one works on
At Santé Madrid the body catalogue includes, besides HIFU, cryolipolysis and INDIBA body. They do not compete with each other: each one targets something different and, depending on the case, the doctor may propose just one or combine them in a plan.
- Body HIFU. Ultrasound energy focused in depth, aimed at the firmness of skin with mild or moderate laxity.
- Cryolipolysis. Controlled cold applied to localised fat. A 2025 systematic review with meta-analysis associated it with a reduction in several adiposity measures at three months, with frequent mild side effects such as numbness, redness, swelling or pain. Another systematic review points to a rare complication, paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, in which fat in the area increases instead of decreasing.
- INDIBA body. According to the manufacturer, INDIBA is a 448 kHz monopolar radiofrequency of the capacitive and resistive type, and its body applications page aims it, among other things, at skin firmness and the appearance of cellulite in areas such as the abdomen, arms or legs.
If you want to learn about each treatment separately, you can see our pages on body HIFU, cryolipolysis and INDIBA body radiofrequency. The specific combination and order depend on your assessment.
Who should not have body HIFU, or not yet
HIFU generates heat inside the tissue, which means there are situations in which the doctor prefers to wait, change the area or suggest another strategy. This list covers the most common ones, but it does not replace a medical assessment.
Electronic devices deserve a separate note when the plan includes a radiofrequency such as INDIBA. A case report published in 2026 described inappropriate shocks from an implantable defibrillator during a TECAR therapy session, and its authors recommend avoiding it in defibrillator carriers and using it with great caution with other cardiac devices. If you have a pacemaker or defibrillator, tell the medical team before any energy-based treatment.
What to expect during and after the session
During the session the area is cleaned, an ultrasound gel is applied and the doctor moves the handpiece over the skin following a plan by areas. It is common to feel deep warmth and small twinges at some points, especially where there is less tissue under the skin. Tell the doctor how it feels so the session can be adapted.
Afterwards, according to the expert consensus on body treatments, the most frequent effects are temporary redness, swelling, tenderness to the touch and discomfort during the procedure, which usually resolve within a few days or a couple of weeks. On the arms, occasional small bruises are also described. If you notice increasing pain, skin changes that do not improve or any symptom that worries you, message us so we can check it.
The effect is not immediate. The manufacturer describes a collagen remodelling process that unfolds in phases, so changes, when they appear, tend to be gradual. If you want your arms or abdomen treated before summer, it is wise to start early. The number of sessions and the interval are proposed by the doctor, and results vary from skin to skin.
How we work at Santé Madrid
Our clinic is at C. de Amador de los Ríos, 1, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid, very close to Almagro. This is the usual pathway when you come in about the skin of your abdomen, arms or knees:
- First conversation. You can start with an aesthetic assessment with a Beauty Coach, which is free, to talk about what concerns you and the options.
- Body medical consultation. This is a €50 consultation (the price of the consultation, not of the treatment) in which the Santé Madrid medical team examines the area, distinguishes laxity from fat, and reviews your history, medication, implants and previous surgery.
- Plan by area. If HIFU is suitable, the doctor decides the area, the depth and the number of sessions. If cryolipolysis, INDIBA body or a combination fits better, we explain that with the same clarity.
- Session and follow-up. The treatment is carried out by the medical team, and at the follow-up visits we assess how your skin is evolving.
You can read more about this first visit on our body medical consultation page. We do not promise a specific result: the aim is a realistic and safe plan for your body.
Frequently asked questions
Does body HIFU help you lose weight?
No. It is aimed at the firmness of skin with mild or moderate laxity. Some research looks at its effect on fat, but the evidence is still early, so it should not be approached as a treatment for losing weight or volume.
Which body areas are treated with HIFU at Santé Madrid?
The body HIFU areas in our catalogue are the abdomen, the arms and the knees. The doctor assesses in the consultation whether your case fits one of them.
Is HIFU or cryolipolysis better for the abdomen?
It depends on what predominates. If the concern is loose skin, HIFU may make sense; if it is a fat deposit you can pinch, cryolipolysis usually fits better. When both coexist, the doctor may propose a combined plan.
When are changes noticeable?
They are not immediate. Collagen remodelling is a gradual process, so changes, when they appear, are assessed over the following months. Results vary from skin to skin.
Can I have body HIFU if I have had a caesarean section?
It may be possible, but previous surgery on the abdomen, including a caesarean section, calls for a more careful assessment of the area. Always mention it in the medical consultation.
Does it have side effects?
The most frequent are redness, swelling, tenderness and discomfort during the session, which usually disappear within a few days or a couple of weeks. Small bruises may appear on the arms. If anything worries you, message us.
What should I mention in the consultation?
Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, whether you have implants, metal or devices such as a pacemaker, your previous surgery, the medication you take, recent weight changes and any skin problem in the area.
Body HIFU can help the firmness of the skin on the abdomen, arms and knees when laxity is mild or moderate, but it does not replace a plan for fat or surgery when there is a lot of excess skin. The first step is an assessment with the Santé Madrid medical team.
