INTRODUCTION
Dermatochalasis (DC) refers to the redundancy of upper eyelid skin formed during the aging process. The upper eyelid skin is the thinnest in the body and contains minimal subcutaneous fat, which contributes to the development of skin laxity.1 The loose eyelid is, in general, aesthetically unpleasant and can lead, in extreme cases, to vision impairment.2 The overall prevalence of dermatochalasis was found to be 16% in subjects ≥ 45 years old.2 Epidemiologic studies identified risk factors such as age, high body mass index, lighter skin color, smoking, male gender, and heredity.2 Most commonly, excess eyelid skin is surgically removed by blepharoplasty. However, the fear of surgical complications and the desire for patients to avoid surgeries in general has led to non-surgical treatment options, such as fractional CO2 laser.
In this study, we evaluate microplasma radiofrequency (RF) as another non-surgical alternative to blepharoplasty to correct lax eyelid skin.3-5 Microplasma RF converts nitrogen and oxygen in the air into plasma sparks, in which a portion of the gas molecules are ionized, causing skin ablation and subsequent neocollagenesis.6,7 Fractional microplasma RF has already been used to treat scars,8,9 striae,10 and rhytids.11 Here, we evaluate The Colibri ablative microplasma RF single-point tip as a treatment for dermatochalasis.12 Delivering concentrated energy via a specially shaped tip allows for controlled micro-ablation coupled with a thermal effect, which induces skin tightening. We present pre-clinical data to characterize wound-healing profile of the MicroPlasma with Colibri tip on porcine skin and clinical data in a prospective trial with 13 patients treated for dermatochalasis and eyelid laxity, assessing its efficacy and safety.
In this study, we evaluate microplasma radiofrequency (RF) as another non-surgical alternative to blepharoplasty to correct lax eyelid skin.3-5 Microplasma RF converts nitrogen and oxygen in the air into plasma sparks, in which a portion of the gas molecules are ionized, causing skin ablation and subsequent neocollagenesis.6,7 Fractional microplasma RF has already been used to treat scars,8,9 striae,10 and rhytids.11 Here, we evaluate The Colibri ablative microplasma RF single-point tip as a treatment for dermatochalasis.12 Delivering concentrated energy via a specially shaped tip allows for controlled micro-ablation coupled with a thermal effect, which induces skin tightening. We present pre-clinical data to characterize wound-healing profile of the MicroPlasma with Colibri tip on porcine skin and clinical data in a prospective trial with 13 patients treated for dermatochalasis and eyelid laxity, assessing its efficacy and safety.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Device Description
The Alma Lasers Opus system with Pixel RF Colibri Tip (Alma Lasers Ltd., Caesaria, Israel) handpiece and tips was used to transmit unipolar RF energy. Two sizes of Colibri tips were used: 0.7 mm and 1 mm. The working frequency was the same for both modes – 40.68 MHz.
Pre-Clinical Study
Pre-clinical studies were performed at the GLPigs Center, Pre-Clinical Research Unit at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Be’er Yaakov, Israel. Studies were performed on 3 domestic female (Mixed Landrace & Large White) crossbred swine, average weight 60 Kg and aged 3 months. The pre-clinical study was reviewed and approved by the Assaf Harofeh Israel Ethics Committee
The Alma Lasers Opus system with Pixel RF Colibri Tip (Alma Lasers Ltd., Caesaria, Israel) handpiece and tips was used to transmit unipolar RF energy. Two sizes of Colibri tips were used: 0.7 mm and 1 mm. The working frequency was the same for both modes – 40.68 MHz.
Pre-Clinical Study
Pre-clinical studies were performed at the GLPigs Center, Pre-Clinical Research Unit at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Be’er Yaakov, Israel. Studies were performed on 3 domestic female (Mixed Landrace & Large White) crossbred swine, average weight 60 Kg and aged 3 months. The pre-clinical study was reviewed and approved by the Assaf Harofeh Israel Ethics Committee
