title: Curative effects of microneedle fractional radiofrequency system on skin laxity in Asian patients: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled face-split study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To date, no studies compared curative effects of thermal lesions in deep and superficial dermal layers in the same patient (face-split study).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate skin laxity effects of microneedle fractional radiofrequency induced thermal lesions in different dermal layers.
  
  
  METHODS
  13 patients underwent three sessions of a randomized face-split microneedle fractional radiofrequency system (MFRS) treatment of deep dermal and superficial dermal layer. Skin laxity changes were evaluated objectively (digital images, 2 independent experts) and subjectively (patients' satisfaction numerical rating).
  
  
  RESULTS
  12 of 13 subjects completed a course of 3 treatments and a 1-year follow-up. Improvement of nasolabial folds in deep dermal approach was significantly better than that in superficial approach at three months (P=.0002) and 12 months (P=.0057) follow-up. Effects on infraorbital rhytides were only slightly better (P=.3531).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MFRS is an effective method to improve skin laxity. Thermal lesion approach seems to provide better outcomes when applied to deep dermal layers. It is necessary to consider the skin thickness of different facial regions when choosing the treatment depth.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital , Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.
authors.forename: Wenli
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital , Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.|b Laser Cosmetic Centre, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital , Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.
authors.forename: Pinru
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital , Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.|b Laser Cosmetic Centre, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital , Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: b Laser Cosmetic Centre, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital , Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.
authors.forename: Jinan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Dermatology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital , Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai , China.
authors.forename: Xiangdong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: c University Hospital of Basel , Switzerland.
authors.forename: Biskup
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ewelina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D044466:Asian People; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005145:Face / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D012060:Rejuvenation; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D015595:Skin Aging; D013552:Swine
keywords: Botulinum toxins; cosmeceuticals; lasers and light sources; mesotherapy; microdermabrasion; topical agents