INTRODUCTION
Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors contribute to skin aging; smoking and UV radiation are well-known extrinsic risk factors.1-3 Fine and coarse rhytids, xerosis, sallowness, roughness, loss of tone, and resiliency are all indications of photodamaged skin.4 Atrophic or hyperplastic epidermis, flattened dermo-epidermal junction, decreased cell turnover, upregulated melanocytes, and inflammatory cells are phenotypical features.5,6 The phenotype of the dermis is characterized by fragmented collagen as well as dysfunctional glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans.7
Minimally invasive procedures are frequently preferred above surgical options for skin aging. Topical retinoids, chemical peels, dermabrasion, microneedling, and ablative and non-ablative lasers are common treatments for aged skin.8 Ablative laser skin resurfacing has produced significant results, but at the expense of undesirable side effects such as pigmentary changes, scarring, infection, and delayed healing. As a result, methods with lower risk profiles were developed.9
Fractional radiofrequency (FRF) has become popular as a next- generation strategy for wrinkle reduction. To achieve dermal effects, electrode pins (that do not "penetrate" the skin) or needles create ablative and coagulative micro-injuries in the epidermis and dermis, interspersed among areas of unaffected skin. This causes a dermal wound healing response, which consequently stimulates fibroblasts. This is supported by higher levels of Type I and Type III procollagen and elastin found in skin biopsy samples following FRF treatment.4,10 The increased collagen volume and elasticity contribute to the improvement of rhytids and wrinkles.
It has been established that FRF can reduce wrinkles.11 However, a patient-centered satisfaction metric is critical for cosmetic treatments, as patients have alternatives when picking a practitioner. Therefore, the objective of this clinical trial was to establish participant satisfaction with FRF for wrinkles in a variety of skin types and both genders.
Minimally invasive procedures are frequently preferred above surgical options for skin aging. Topical retinoids, chemical peels, dermabrasion, microneedling, and ablative and non-ablative lasers are common treatments for aged skin.8 Ablative laser skin resurfacing has produced significant results, but at the expense of undesirable side effects such as pigmentary changes, scarring, infection, and delayed healing. As a result, methods with lower risk profiles were developed.9
Fractional radiofrequency (FRF) has become popular as a next- generation strategy for wrinkle reduction. To achieve dermal effects, electrode pins (that do not "penetrate" the skin) or needles create ablative and coagulative micro-injuries in the epidermis and dermis, interspersed among areas of unaffected skin. This causes a dermal wound healing response, which consequently stimulates fibroblasts. This is supported by higher levels of Type I and Type III procollagen and elastin found in skin biopsy samples following FRF treatment.4,10 The increased collagen volume and elasticity contribute to the improvement of rhytids and wrinkles.
It has been established that FRF can reduce wrinkles.11 However, a patient-centered satisfaction metric is critical for cosmetic treatments, as patients have alternatives when picking a practitioner. Therefore, the objective of this clinical trial was to establish participant satisfaction with FRF for wrinkles in a variety of skin types and both genders.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Participants
This was a prospective, evaluator-blind study conducted at
This was a prospective, evaluator-blind study conducted at
