Microneedle Radiofrequency Treatment Research Articles

Laser-assisted Delivery of a Combined Antioxidant Formulation Enhances the Clinical Efficacy of Fractional Microneedle Radiofrequency Treatment: A Pilot Study

Laser-assisted Delivery of a Combined Antioxidant Formulation Enhances the Clinical Efficacy of Fractional Microneedle Radiofrequency Treatment: A Pilot Study

Microneedle Radiofrequency Combined with Human Fibroblast Conditioned Media for Acne Scars and Skin Rejuvenation

Background: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatology problems in the world. Acne scar can cause stress for sufferers. Microneedle Radiofrequency (MR) clinically has an effectiveness treating acne, acne scars and skin aging. MR acting as electrodes and directly deliver radiofrequency energy deep into the skin to induce new collagen production, dermal thickening and re epitelization. Cases: Seventeen patients (12 acne scar and 5 aging patients, 25-50 years old, Fitzpatrick skin type III-IV) with acne scars and aging skin who received three sessions of microneedle radiofrequency treatment for 2 months at 3 weeks intervalper session. Discussion: We use Goodman and Baron’s Global Acne Scarring System to assess the improvement of acne scars. It showed that by qualitative grading system from 12 patients (grade 3 and grade 4 acne scars), 58% patients showed 2 grade improvement, 33% showed1 grade improvement and 8.3% showed 3 grade improvement. Quantitative assessment showed that 58,3% of the patients had moderate improvement, 25% had good improvement and 16,6% had very good improvement. Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) are used to assess the improvement in skin texture, wrinkles graded by physician. It showed 60 % patients has 51 to 75% improvement and 40% patients has 26 to 50% improvement.

Split-face comparative study of fractional Er:YAG laser versus microneedling radiofrequency in treatment of atrophic acne scars, using optical coherence tomography for assessment.

Efficacy and safety of ablative fractional laser used for treatment of acne scars have been described in several studies. Recently, microneedling radiofrequency treatment has been showing promising results with low risk of side effects and rapid healing time. To study efficacy and safety of ablative fractional Er:YAG laser 2940nm and microneedling radiofrequency for facial atrophic acne scar. 21 patients with atrophic postacne scars were randomized to MRF for one half of the face and laser for the other half. Four sessions were performed monthly. For evaluation, the validated scale "Quantitative Global Grading System for Postacne Scarring" and patient's satisfaction were used before and 3months after treatment. Optical coherence tomography imaging of the skin was used as an objective tool for assessment. Both sides showed significant improvement on clinical evaluation with no significant difference. Optical coherence tomography assessment showed significant increase of both epidermal and dermal thickness compared to baseline. Both MRF and ablative fractional Er. YAG laser 2940nm are effective in the treatment of post acne scars. Microneedling radiofrequency is better tolerated, with lower downtime and fewer side effects.

Comparative study of treatment for striae alba stage striae gravidarum: 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser versus fractional microneedle radiofrequency.

Striae gravidarum is a common dermatologic condition for females caused by multiple factors during pregnancy. It remains a therapeutic challenge especially in the striae alba (SA) stage, generating psychological and emotional distress to those affected. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) and fractional microneedle radiofrequency (MRF) for treatment of SA striae gravidarum. Fourteen Chinese women with SA striae gravidarum were included in this study. Patient abdomens were randomly divided into NAFL and MRF treatment sides, treated three times at 6-week intervals. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by subjective (clinical assessments, patient satisfaction rating, adverse effects assessment) assessments and objective (skin melanin index measurement, histological study) assessments. Clinical assessment suggested MRF was more effective (P = 0.0143) for improving the appearance of SA striae gravidarum. Both NAFL and MRF demonstrated effective improvement (P = 0.0082 and P = 0.0158, respectively), with no significant difference according to patient satisfaction ratings and changes in melanin index (P = 0.5900). Both treatments induced limited adverse reactions, but MRF treatment caused significant pain compared with the more moderate NAFL treatment (P = 0.0003). MRF treatment increased neocollagen and elastic fibers more significantly than NAFL, based on histological assessments (P = 0.0298 and P = 0.0048, respectively). MRF treatment improved collagen regeneration in SA striae gravidarum more than NAFL but caused considerable pain during treatment. Corresponding treatment or therapeutic strategies should be applied according to clinical scenario.

A retrospective study of neck rejuvenation using a noninsulated microneedle radiofrequency in Chinese subjects.

Large-scale long-term retrospective study of noninsulated microneedle radiofrequency treatment on neck rejuvenation is lacking. We conducted a 3-year retrospective observation of subjects treated with noninsulated microneedle radiofrequency (NIMNRF) for neck rejuvenation in Chinese subjects. Of all subjects, 28 subjects (28.6%) received only 1 session of treatment. About 50% subjects achieved ≥ 50% improvement, and average improvements were 37.0% at 3months follow-up (M3) and 41.6% at 6months follow-up (M6). Seventy subjects (71.4%) accepted 3 sessions of treatments. The neck aging scores were 3.57 ± 1.28 at baseline, and significantly decreased to 1.10 ± 0.84 at M3 (p < 0.05), 1.04 ± 0.86 (p < 0.05) at M6, separately. The average improvements were 73.3% at M3 and 75.1% at M6. It showed a trend of better efficacy with the increasing number of sessions (p < 0.05). Among of 6 subjects who was followed up for 1year, 5 subjects who received 3 sessions of treatment achieved about 70% improvement after final session, and another 1 subject who received 1 session remained the improvement up to 40%. The results demonstrate NIMNRF treatment has significant and long-lasting effect on neck laxity and wrinkle reduction with minimal discomfort and downtime.

Nonsurgical facial tightening after a fractional noninsulated microneedling radiofrequency treatment in Asians

AbstractBackgroundAs our previous three‐dimensional (3D) volumetric investigations have shown, noninsulated microneedle radiofrequency (NIMNRF) with 2.5‐mm penetration depth needles can induce long‐lasting tightening effects. However, further tightening effects for deeper tissues were sometimes required. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a novel fractional NIMNRF treatment strategy with 5.0‐mm penetration depth needles.Materials and MethodsTwenty Asian patients underwent full facial skin tightening using a sharply tapered NIMNRF applicator with a novel fractionated pulse mode. Patients received from 500 to 1000 pulses of 80 to 110 ms duration at a power of 10 to 14 W and a 1.5‐ to 5.0‐mm penetration depth. A topical anesthetic cream was applied before treatment. 3D volumetric assessments were performed at 6 months after the treatment. Patients rated their satisfaction using a 5‐point scale at each follow‐up.ResultsObjective assessments with superimposed 3D color images showed a significant volumetric reduction in lower two‐thirds of the face for all patients. About 85% of the patients were either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the treatment results. Side effects were mild and included a slight burning sensation and mild erythema that were minor and transitory. Posttreatment hyperpigmentation was not present, neither were other complications.ConclusionsThe advantages of the novel fractional NIMNRF treatment are the high potency of facial tightening effects, and reduction of discomfort and side effects. Taken together, these characteristics facilitate the ability to give repeated treatments and provide an alternative or adjunct treatment for patients with improved results.

A split-face comparison of a fractional microneedle radiofrequency device and fractional radiofrequency therapy for moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris.

Radiofrequency equipment, including invasive fractional microneedle radiofrequency (FMR) and noninvasive fractional radiofrequency (FR), has facilitated progress in the field of active acne treatment, but clinical data are limited. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of FMR and FR in the treatment of moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris. Ten patients with moderate-to-severe acne were enrolled in a 24-week, prospective, single-blind, randomized, comparative clinical trial with a split-face design. Fractional microneedle radiofrequency treatment was provided on one side of the face and FR on the opposite side. Three consecutive treatments were performed at 4-week interval. Objective assessment of efficacy was performed using the Acne Severity Index (ASI), and acne inflammatory lesions and noninflammatory lesions were evaluated. After the first treatment, ASI and both inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions of the FMR-treated side were improved to a greater degree than the FR-treated side. Patients' subjective satisfaction was also better regarding the FMR-treated side. After subsequent treatments, efficacy improves for both groups, and no significant differences in the above efficacy parameters between the two groups were observed. Pain scores were significantly higher for the FR-treated side than the FMR-treated side. Fractional microneedle radiofrequency is faster and more effective than FR for the treatment of moderate and severe acne after only one treatment. However, after several treatment sessions, both FMR and FR proved to be safe and effective for long-term treatment of moderate-to-severe acne. Therefore, invasive radiofrequency, such as FMR, or noninvasive radiofrequency, such as FR, can successfully treat active acne.

Topical 5% tranexamic acid for acne-related postinflammatory erythema

Postinflammatory erythema (PIE) is a common sequala of acne inflammation (Fig 1); it is cosmetically unacceptable and remains a therapeutic challenge. Pulse-dye laser and fractional microneedling radiofrequency have been used for the treatment of PIE. 1 Min S. Park S.Y. Yoon J.Y. Kwon H.H. Suh D.H. Fractional microneedling radiofrequency treatment for acne-related post-inflammatory erythema. Acta Derm Venereol. 2016; 96: 87-91 Crossref PubMed Scopus (30) Google Scholar

Fractional microneedling radiofrequency treatment for axillary osmidrosis: A minimally invasive procedure.

Axillary osmidrosis is a distressing condition that can reduce quality of life and lead to personal and social problems. Fractional microneedling radiofrequency (FMR) treatment is a new minimally invasive procedure. We sought to assess retrospectively the efficacy and safety of FMR treatment for axillary osmidrosis compared with subcutaneous surgery in a Chinese population. In total, 48 and 42 patients receiving FMR treatment and subcutaneous surgery, respectively, were recruited. The treatments were assessed in terms of efficacy, complications, and malodor recurrence. Patient satisfaction and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were also evaluated. In total, 93.75% of patients in the FMR group and all patients in the surgery group showed good-to-excellent improvement in osmidrosis (P>0.05). The patients' satisfaction in the FMR group was significantly higher than that in the surgery group at 1month after treatment, but there were no differences between the two groups at the 3rd and 6th months (P>0.05). The DLQI score was significantly decreased after both treatments. Two patients in the surgery group experienced hemorrhage complications, and no patients in the FMR group showed severe adverse effects. There was no significant difference in the malodor recurrence rate between the groups. Fractional microneedling radiofrequency treatment offers a safe and effective method for treating axillary osmidrosis with minimal recovery time and no strict postoperative immobilization.

Stability of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers After Insulated Microneedle Radiofrequency Treatment

Stability of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers After Insulated Microneedle Radiofrequency Treatment

Clinical and Histologic Effects of Fractional Microneedling Radiofrequency Treatment on Rosacea.

Fractional microneedling radiofrequency (FMR) is an emerging treatment modality, but its effect on rosacea has not been studied yet. To investigate the potential impact of FMR treatment on clinical improvement and histologic changes in rosacea patients. A 12-week, prospective, randomized, split-face clinical trial was conducted. Two sessions of FMR were performed on one side of the cheeks with 4-week interval and the other side remained untreated. Erythema index from DermaSpectrometer and a* value from Spectrophotometer CM-2002 were measured at each visit for the objective measurement of erythema. Histologic analysis of skin samples was also carried out. Clinical evaluation and photometric measurement revealed the reduction of redness in the treated side compared with untreated side and baseline. Erythema index decreased 13.6% and a* value decreased 6.8% at Week 12 compared with baseline. Reduced expression of markers related to inflammation, innate immunity, and angiogenesis was observed in immunohistochemical staining of tissue obtained after FMR treatment. Fractional microneedling radiofrequency treatment showed modest clinical and histologic improvement of rosacea, and it might be used as an alternative or in combination with other treatment methods.

Fractional Microneedling Radiofrequency Treatment for Acne-related Post-inflammatory Erythema.

Post-inflammatory erythema is a common result of acne inflammation and is cosmetically unacceptable without effective treatment. Fractional microneedling radiofrequency (FMR) has potential for treatment of post-inflammatory erythema. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this treatment. A retrospective chart review was undertaken of 25 patients treated with 2 sessions of radiofrequency at 4-week intervals and 27 patients treated with oral antibiotics and/or topical agents. Efficacy was assessed through an investigator's global assessment of photographs, and the analysis of erythema with image analysis software and photometric devices. Histological changes resulting from the treatment were evaluated by skin biopsy. FMR treatment resulted in significant improvements in erythema with no severe adverse effects. Histological study revealed a reduction in vascular markers and inflammation. FMR is a safe and effective treatment for post-inflammatory erythema, with potential anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenetic properties.