Taula de Continguts
- What HIFU is and how it acts on the skin
- What MPT technology adds, according to Classys
- Cartridges and depths: an overview
- Areas we treat with HIFU MPT at Santé Madrid
- HIFU, INDIBA radiofrequency and fillers: what each one does
- Who should not have HIFU yet
- How we work at Santé Madrid
- Frequently asked questions
Ultraformer MPT is a HIFU device, high-intensity focused ultrasound, made by the Korean company Classys and designed to treat laxity of the face and body without surgery. What sets it apart from classic HIFU, according to the manufacturer, is that in addition to dot-pattern delivery it offers a broader, faster energy mode. At Santé Madrid we use it on the face and body, always after a medical assessment. In this guide we explain how the technology works, what MPT adds, which areas are treated and how it differs from radiofrequency and fillers.
Key points
- HIFU concentrates ultrasound at a single point at a defined depth and creates small thermal coagulation points that stimulate collagen production.
- According to Classys, Ultraformer MPT combines a normal dot-pattern mode with an MP mode of broader heating, which the manufacturer describes as 2.5 times faster.
- The device works with interchangeable cartridges of different depths for the face and body; which ones are used is decided by the medical team.
- HIFU, INDIBA radiofrequency and fillers do not do the same thing: they tighten, stimulate or add volume, and they are often combined.
- Results vary from skin to skin, and HIFU does not replace surgery for advanced laxity.
What HIFU is and how it acts on the skin
Ultrasound is a mechanical wave that travels through tissue. In an ultrasound scan it is used at low intensity to produce images. In HIFU, by contrast, the device concentrates those waves at a very specific point beneath the skin, much as a magnifying glass concentrates sunlight. At that point the energy turns into heat, so the effect is directed at a specific layer.
According to the official Ultraformer MPT product page, when the heat creates a thermal coagulation point (TCP) in the chosen area, proteins begin to denature at temperatures above 60 °C. This controlled damage activates fibroblasts, the cells that make collagen, and starts a repair process that remodels the tissue over time.
A narrative review published in 2025 on microfocused ultrasound describes the same mechanism: the energy reaches several skin layers and the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), creates localised coagulation points and stimulates the formation of new collagen and elastin. That is why the effect is not entirely immediate: the skin needs time to reorganise, and the response differs from person to person.
What MPT technology adds, according to Classys
Ultraformer MPT is the latest generation of the Ultraformer family. On its product page the manufacturer explains that MPT stands for Micro-Pulsed Technology and that the device uses ultrasound energy in micro and macro formats. According to Classys, it was developed from the experience of professionals who used earlier versions, with the aim of making treatments faster and offering more options.
The practical difference lies in how the energy is distributed. Classys states that the device has four energy modes and describes two of them on its page:
- Normal mode. Delivers energy in a dot pattern, which is the classic way HIFU works.
- MP mode. Delivers energy through broader heating that covers the area of the coagulation points continuously. The manufacturer states that this mode is 2.5 times faster than normal mode, which shortens treatment time.
Classys also describes lighter, slimmer handpieces, two trigger types for continuous work and a Booster handpiece that delivers HIFU in a circular pattern. These are technical features of the device, not a promise of results: a faster treatment does not in itself mean a greater result. The mode, the energy and the number of shots are decided by the Santé Madrid medical team according to the area, the thickness of the tissue and the goal.
Cartridges and depths: an overview
HIFU acts at a fixed depth that depends on the cartridge fitted to the handpiece. That is why the same device can work on different layers of the skin and the tissue beneath it. On the Ultraformer MPT product page Classys states that the device accepts ten types of interchangeable cartridges, and its specifications group them as follows:
- Face cartridges: 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm.
- Body cartridges: 6.0 mm, 9.0 mm and 13 mm.
- Booster cartridges: 1.5 mm, 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm, with a circular pattern.
According to the manufacturer, F-type cartridges deliver energy in a linear pattern and Booster cartridges in a circular pattern. In general terms, the greater the cartridge depth, the deeper the layer it acts on, which is why the body cartridges are the deepest.
You do not need to know these numbers to be treated. What matters is understanding that the doctor does not always use the same depth: several cartridges may be combined on one face, and delicate areas are treated with more caution. The choice is made after examining the skin, assessing the degree of laxity and, where appropriate, combining with other treatments. Results vary from skin to skin and area to area.
Areas we treat with HIFU MPT at Santé Madrid
In the Santé Madrid catalogue, HIFU MPT is offered for several areas of the face and body. This is a summary; each area has its own nuances and the plan is decided in consultation.
- Double chin. The area under the chin, where the skin can lose firmness over the years.
- Periocular area. The eye contour, which requires a particularly careful technique.
- Perioral area. The contour of the mouth and the lines that form around it.
- Upper third or ponytail effect. Forehead and brow area, aiming for a gentle lifting effect. You can read more on our ponytail effect page.
- Full face. A treatment of the face as a whole, combining areas and depths.
- Body. Abdomen, arms and knees, with deeper cartridges.
The 2023 systematic review of microfocused ultrasound on the face concluded that it is effective for tightening mildly to moderately lax skin in women, who were the only participants in the studies. The improvements reported by the patients themselves were generally mild, and the authors called for more studies with objective measures. For more detail on the facial version, see our HIFU page.
HIFU, INDIBA radiofrequency and fillers: what each one does
People often ask whether HIFU is better than radiofrequency or fillers. In reality they do not compete: they act differently and address different problems. The table is a general guide; the specific indication depends on your assessment.
| Treatment | How it acts | What it is usually considered for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIFU (Ultraformer MPT) | Focused ultrasound that creates thermal coagulation points at a defined depth | Mild or moderate laxity, firmness of face and body | The effect develops over time and varies from person to person |
| INDIBA radiofrequency | Radiofrequency at 448 kHz that raises tissue temperature | Skin quality and firmness, progressive treatments over sessions | Usually planned over several sessions; it does not add volume |
| Hyaluronic acid fillers | Injectable gel that adds volume at a specific point | Volume loss, folds, contour | It is an injectable treatment with its own risks that requires precise technique |
According to the manufacturer INDIBA, its technology is based on 448 kHz radiofrequency that can stimulate the formation of collagen and elastin in the tissue. You can read more on our INDIBA radiofrequency page. Fillers work differently: a 2025 review of facial fillers explains that hyaluronic acid provides immediate volume, and notes that adverse effects can occur, from mild swelling to rare serious complications such as vascular occlusion, so they demand a sound knowledge of anatomy. That is why the doctor may suggest combining technologies: HIFU for firmness and filler for volume, in the order that suits you best.
Who should not have HIFU yet
HIFU is a non-surgical treatment, but it is still a medical procedure that deposits heat beneath the skin. There are situations in which the doctor prefers to wait, adjust the technique or recommend another option. This list is a guide and does not replace an assessment.
The 2023 systematic review identified excessive laxity and a body mass index above 30 as relative contraindications, because results worsened as they increased. It also recorded temporary redness and swelling and, infrequently, altered sensation, bruising or burns. In the eye area, a case report published in 2024 described eye injuries after HIFU was applied to the eyelids, and its authors stress the importance of understanding the risks of treating the periorbital region.
How we work at Santé Madrid
Our clinic is at C. de Amador de los Ríos, 1, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid, close to Almagro and Colón. This is the usual path of an Ultraformer MPT treatment:
- First consultation. You can start with a free aesthetic assessment with a Beauty Coach, or with a medical consultation for €50 (the price of the consultation, not the treatment). We go over your history, your previous treatments and what concerns you.
- Assessment of the area. The Santé Madrid medical team examines the degree of laxity, the quality of the skin and any asymmetry, and tells you honestly whether HIFU is a good option or whether another one fits better.
- Treatment plan. The areas, cartridges, energy mode and number of shots are chosen. Where appropriate, we suggest combining it with INDIBA radiofrequency or a filler.
- The session. We cleanse the skin, apply ultrasound gel and the doctor works the area layer by layer.
- Follow-up. We review how your skin responds and adjust the plan if needed.
All treatments are carried out by the medical team after an assessment. Results vary from skin to skin and we do not promise a specific result: the aim is a realistic, safe plan for you. If you want to know more about how the session feels, what happens with the double chin or how many sessions are usually planned, we cover these in dedicated articles.
Frequently asked questions
Is HIFU the same as a surgical lift?
No. HIFU is a non-surgical treatment that stimulates collagen with focused heat. It can improve firmness in mild or moderate laxity, but it does not remove skin or replace surgery in advanced cases.
What is the difference between normal mode and MP mode?
According to Classys, normal mode delivers energy in dots and MP mode distributes it through broader, faster heating. The doctor chooses the mode according to the area and the goal.
What are the different cartridges for?
Each cartridge acts at a fixed depth. Face cartridges work on more superficial layers and body cartridges on deeper layers, which is why the doctor can combine several in the same session.
Is Ultraformer MPT suitable for any degree of laxity?
No. The evidence supports its use in mild or moderate laxity. When laxity is very marked, results tend to be more limited and the doctor will explain other options.
Can HIFU be combined with fillers or INDIBA?
Yes, this is commonly considered when there is loss of both firmness and volume. The order and interval between treatments are decided by the medical team after the assessment.
Is it safe to treat the eye area?
It can be treated, but it requires careful technique and eye protection, because eye injuries have been described when energy is applied inappropriately. That is why it is always performed by the medical team.
What should I mention in the consultation?
Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the medication you take, skin conditions, implants, fillers or threads in the area and any previous aesthetic treatment.
Ultraformer MPT is a tool for working on skin firmness from within, not a universal solution. What makes the difference is choosing the right indication, depth and combination with other treatments. The first step is an assessment with the Santé Madrid medical team.

