Bipolar Fractional Radiofrequency Treatment of Suprapatellar Skin Assessment Using Non-Invasive Devices and Microbiopsy.
Bipolar Fractional Radiofrequency Treatment of Suprapatellar Skin Assessment Using Non-Invasive Devices and Microbiopsy.
- 2021
BACKGROUND: Non-invasive treatments for skin tightening are gaining popularity. However, there are no studies assessing bipolar fractional radiofrequency on suprapatellar skin. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that radiofrequency with microneedling to suprapatellar skin has limited effects to decrease skin laxity and improve skin appearance. At a molecular level, the treatment resulted in lower elastin and hyaluronic acid levels and increased DEJ roughness defined by histology and OCT imaging. Copyright (c) 2021 The Aesthetic Society. Reprints and permission: [email protected]. METHODS: Twenty patients received one bilateral suprapatellar bipolar fractional radiofrequency treatment. They returned 7 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-treatment. Non-invasive measurements were obtained at each visit, including high-resolution ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography, transepidermal water loss and BTC-2000. 0.33mm-diameter microbiopsies were collected in the treatment area for histological and gene expression analyses. Three clinicians completed photo evaluations comparing texture and laxity at baseline to 6 months post-treatment. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of bipolar fractional radiofrequency on suprapatellar skin. RESULTS: 15 subjects completed all six visits. TEWL and dermal epidermal junction (DEJ) roughness or Ra increased at 3 weeks and 3 months post-treatment. Attenuation coefficient and stiffness increased significantly 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Blood flow at 0.5mm and expression of epidermal hyaluronic acid and inflammatory genes IL-1b and IL-6 were significantly higher 7 days post-treatment compared to pre-treatment and 3 months post-treatment. There were no statistically significant changes in collagen or elastin-related genes and proteins 7 days or 3 months post-treatment. The photo reviewers saw an improvement in texture and laxity in 17.7% and 24.4% of photos 6 months post-treatment, respectively.
English
1090-820X
10.1093/asj/sjab210 [doi] 6263482 [pii]
IN PROCESS -- NOT YET INDEXED
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
MedStar General Surgery Residency
Journal Article
BACKGROUND: Non-invasive treatments for skin tightening are gaining popularity. However, there are no studies assessing bipolar fractional radiofrequency on suprapatellar skin. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that radiofrequency with microneedling to suprapatellar skin has limited effects to decrease skin laxity and improve skin appearance. At a molecular level, the treatment resulted in lower elastin and hyaluronic acid levels and increased DEJ roughness defined by histology and OCT imaging. Copyright (c) 2021 The Aesthetic Society. Reprints and permission: [email protected]. METHODS: Twenty patients received one bilateral suprapatellar bipolar fractional radiofrequency treatment. They returned 7 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-treatment. Non-invasive measurements were obtained at each visit, including high-resolution ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography, transepidermal water loss and BTC-2000. 0.33mm-diameter microbiopsies were collected in the treatment area for histological and gene expression analyses. Three clinicians completed photo evaluations comparing texture and laxity at baseline to 6 months post-treatment. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of bipolar fractional radiofrequency on suprapatellar skin. RESULTS: 15 subjects completed all six visits. TEWL and dermal epidermal junction (DEJ) roughness or Ra increased at 3 weeks and 3 months post-treatment. Attenuation coefficient and stiffness increased significantly 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Blood flow at 0.5mm and expression of epidermal hyaluronic acid and inflammatory genes IL-1b and IL-6 were significantly higher 7 days post-treatment compared to pre-treatment and 3 months post-treatment. There were no statistically significant changes in collagen or elastin-related genes and proteins 7 days or 3 months post-treatment. The photo reviewers saw an improvement in texture and laxity in 17.7% and 24.4% of photos 6 months post-treatment, respectively.
English
1090-820X
10.1093/asj/sjab210 [doi] 6263482 [pii]
IN PROCESS -- NOT YET INDEXED
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
MedStar General Surgery Residency
Journal Article