Elastometry and clinical results after bipolar radiofrequency treatment of skin.
BACKGROUND
The healing process of a novel radiofrequency bipolar system was recently shown to produce a profound increase in collagen and elastin content.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between subjective clinical improvement scores and changes in objective measures of mechanical skin properties.


METHODS
Elastometry measurements were made at baseline and 3 months after treatment. All patients received a treatment zone on the lower face. Patient assessments of results and physician ratings of wrinkle and skin laxity were collected at baseline and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Elastometry and clinical results were then compared.


RESULTS
Three months after treatment, elastometry measurements showed statistically significant improvement (5-12% decrease in Young's Modulus and 10-16% decrease in retraction time). The average improvement correlated to a 2.6-year improvement in skin property. Physician scores at 3 months showed a statistically significant improvement of 1.42 grades on the Fitzpatrick scale for wrinkles and 0.66 grades on the Alexiades scale for skin laxity, increasing to 1.57 and 0.70 improvement, respectively, at 6 months. Eighty-nine percent and 91% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure at 3- and 6-month follow-up, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Elastometry data showed an average decrease in Young's Modulus and retraction time, both of which suggest that radiofrequency bipolar treatment resulted in more youthful skin. Better mechanical characteristics were consistent with improvements in wrinkles, laxity, and skin quality and appearance.
Willey
Andrea
A
Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Northern California, Sacramento, California, USA. andrea.willey@mac.com
Kilmer
Suzanne
S
Newman
James
J
Renton
Bradley
B
Hantash
Basil M
BM
Hantash
Basil
B
Krishna
Suhas
S
McGill
Scott
S
Bérubé
Dany
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004548:Elasticity / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012780:Short-Wave Therapy; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome