Pain in naïve and non-naïve subjects undergoing nonablative skin tightening dermatologic procedures: a nested randomized control trial.
BACKGROUND
Pain is expected during noninvasive skin tightening and can be anxiety provoking, especially for those who have not had prior treatments.


OBJECTIVE
To compare pain reported by patients naïve to nonablative skin tightening energy devices with those who were not naive.


METHODS
The non-naïve group at least three nonablative laser procedures or one nonablative skin tightening procedure, and the naïve group no previous treatments. Four sites at each of two anatomic locations (periorbital and midface or cheek) were treated in each subject with needle prick, pulsed dye laser, radiofrequency, and ultrasound with the order of the interventions randomized. All interventions except ultrasound were also applied to three abdominal sites. The difference in mean pain scores between naïve and nonnaïve subjects were averaged over the anatomic sites.


RESULTS
Ten naïve and 10 non-naïve subjects completed study procedures. Mean pain scores ranged from 1.3 to 4.9. The mean for all naïve conditions was 2.3 ± 1.0, vs 2.2 ± 1.4 for non-naïve conditions. There was no overall difference according to group, device, or anatomic area.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant difference in pain between naïve and non-naïve subjects undergoing cutaneous energy treatments. Individual devices may elicit more pain at specific anatomic locations.
Washington Hospital Center, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia.
Rohit
R
Kakar
Omer
O
Ibrahim
Wareeporn
W
Disphanurat
Natalie
N
Pace
Dennis P
DP
West
Mary
M
Kwasny
Sonia
S
Shah
Murad
M
Alam
D000005:Abdomen; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D054025:Lasers, Dye / Q000009:adverse effects; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects; D019233:Retreatment / Q000009:adverse effects; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects