INTRODUCTION
Skin laxity and facial wrinkles, clinically referred to as rhytids, are common skin conditions in both men and women and are most commonly found in aging skin.1,4 Skin aging is a complex biological process, influenced by combination of intrinsic (genetics, cellular metabolism, hormone and metabolic processes) and extrinsic (chronic light exposure, pollution, ionizing radiation, chemicals, toxins) factors.5 These factors lead together to cumulative structural and physiological alterations and progressive changes in each skin layer as well as changes in skin appearance.6-9 Gradual loss of skin elastosis leads to the phenomenon of skin sagging.10 The aging of one’s skin contributes to one's external appearance, making skin health an important component of facial aesthetics.
The desire to preserve youth is prevalent in modern society, as a youthful appearance is associated with perceived well-being and physical attractiveness.11-13 The appearance of rhytids can lead to negative psychological impact on patients, causing patients to seek cosmetic treatments.14 Traditionally, rhytids have been treated with surgery, such as rhytidectomy, blepharoplasty, and brow lifts. More recently, however, minimally invasive procedures have gained popularity. Consequently, lasers and light therapy for facial rejuvenation were one of the most common five procedures performed in the USA in 2019.15
Conventionally, ablative and non-ablative laser systems have been used to boost skin laxity, but additional technologies have been developed that utilize energy sources to combat aging skin, such as fractional radiofrequency (FRF). This method utilizes electrodes or needles to deliver energy to the tissue to achieve targeted predetermined fractional epidermal and dermal injury. The injury causes damage to the dermal collagen, which initiates a wound healing response including formation of new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid resulting in dermal remodeling and skin tightening.16 The tissue located between
The desire to preserve youth is prevalent in modern society, as a youthful appearance is associated with perceived well-being and physical attractiveness.11-13 The appearance of rhytids can lead to negative psychological impact on patients, causing patients to seek cosmetic treatments.14 Traditionally, rhytids have been treated with surgery, such as rhytidectomy, blepharoplasty, and brow lifts. More recently, however, minimally invasive procedures have gained popularity. Consequently, lasers and light therapy for facial rejuvenation were one of the most common five procedures performed in the USA in 2019.15
Conventionally, ablative and non-ablative laser systems have been used to boost skin laxity, but additional technologies have been developed that utilize energy sources to combat aging skin, such as fractional radiofrequency (FRF). This method utilizes electrodes or needles to deliver energy to the tissue to achieve targeted predetermined fractional epidermal and dermal injury. The injury causes damage to the dermal collagen, which initiates a wound healing response including formation of new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid resulting in dermal remodeling and skin tightening.16 The tissue located between
