Monopolar radiofrequency treatment for facial laxity: Histometric analysis.

Abstract

A monopolar radiofrequency device can be used in facial tightening. The device targets the dermis and fibrous septae, and the treatment results in immediate collagen contraction and the induction of subsequent collagen remodeling. We aimed to evaluate the histometric change of the subjects treated with a monopolar radiofrequency device using a novel tip. Eleven subjects with skin types III and IV participated in the study. They received a single session of a monopolar radiofrequency on the face, and biopsies were performed before treatment, and 2 and 6months after the treatment. Hematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichome, and Victoria blue stains were used. An image analysis was performed using the Image J software. The dermal density of collagen and elastic fiber, and the coherency of collagen fibers were assessed in the papillary, upper reticular, and lower reticular dermises, respectively. The monopolar radiofrequency treatments led to improvements in collagen fiber density and coherency. In the Masson trichome staining, the collagen fiber densities were 0.736±0.06 and 0.652±0.063 before treatment and increased to 0.773±0.044 (P=.018) and 0.686±0.05 (P=.045) in the papillary and lower reticular dermises, respectively. The density of the elastic fibers in all parts of the dermis showed a tendency to increase after treatment, though not statistically significantly. The mean coherency was higher after than before treatment. In this in vivo study, we found that the collagen and elastic fiber densities and architectural structures were improved after treatment.