TITLE:
Objective Assessment of Skin Tightening Using Multisource, Phase-Controlled Radiofrequency in Asians
AUTHORS:
Yohei Tanaka
KEYWORDS:
Objective Evaluation; Quantitative Volume Measurement; Skin Laxity; Three-Dimensional Imaging; Wrinkles
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications,
Vol.3 No.1,
March
7,
2013
ABSTRACT: Background: Radiofrequency
has been proven to penetrate deeper than optical light sources independent of
skin color allowing a safer treatment for the Asian skin type. Many studies have indicated the
efficacy of various types of devices, but have not included a sufficient
objective evaluation. Multisource radiofrequency
uses multiple phase controlled radiofrequency generators with real time impedance control, allowing painless, deeper dermal
heating with better adaptation to differences in individual skin impedance. In this study we used
three-dimensional imaging for the objective evaluation of facial skin
tightening by multisource
phase-controlled radiofrequency. Methods: Twenty Japanese patients were treated with a multisource phase-controlled radiofrequency device.
Three-dimensional imaging was performed with a Canfield Scientific Vectra
camera and software, and quantitative volume measurements were taken to
evaluate the change in the post-treatment volume. The patients then provided
subjective assessments. Results: Objective assessments of the treated cheek volume
evaluated by a three-dimensional color schematic representation with
quantitative volume measurements showed significant improvement three months
after the final treatment. The mean volume reduction at the last post-treatment
visit was 3.878 ± 2.86 mL. The post-treatment volume was significantly reduced
compared to the pretreatment volume in all of the volunteers (P = 0.0007). Ninety-five percent of volunteers reported
satisfaction with the improvement of skin laxity, and ninety percent of
volunteers reported satisfaction with the improvement of wrinkles, such as the
nasolabial folds. Conclusions: The advantages of these multisource phase-controlled radiofrequency
treatments are its high efficacy for skin tightening associated with minimal
level of discomfort, minimal side effects, and
low cost. Taken together, these characteristics facilitate the ability to give
repeated treatments as a stand alone treatment or adjunct to surgery. This
study provides for the first time a qualitative and quantitative volumetric
assessment, proving the ability of the technology to reduce the volume through non invasive skin tightening.