Electrosurgical resurfacing: a clinical, histologic, and electron microscopic evaluation.
BACKGROUND
Radiofrequency resurfacing is a new technology for ablative facial resurfacing.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency resurfacing in reduction of perioral and periorbital rhytides, and to assess it's effects on collagen remodeling by electron microscopic evaluation.


RESULTS
Fourteen of the fifteen subjects (93%) were 100% re-epithelialized by day 7. All 15 patients (100%) had resolution of post-treatment erythema by 3 months. Clinical investigator assessment evaluation revealed mild to moderate improvement in 100% of patients. Histologic changes were consistent with new upper papillary dermal collagen formation. Post-treatment ultrastuctural changes showed either new Type III or mature Type I collagen formation.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiofrequency resurfacing is an effective ablative resurfacing method for mild to moderate improvement of Fitzpatrick Type I-III rhytides. It is a low risk procedure with potentially shorter periods of post-operative re-epithelialization and erythema as compared to standard ablative laser procedures.
Sarradet
M Dale
MD
Skin Laser & Surgery Specialists of New York and New Jersey, Westwood, New Jersey 07675, USA.
Hussain
Mussarrat
M
Goldberg
David J
DJ
D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D024022:Fibrillar Collagens / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015595:Skin Aging; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D024022:Fibrillar Collagens