Treatment of Skin Laxity and Facial Wrinkles with Combinationof Radiofrequency and Infrared Light

Cho, Hee Ryung; Lew, Bark Lynn; Choi, Bong Keun; Kim, Nack In

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A device using radiofrequency and infrared has been used as a nonablative method for producing noninvasive skin tightening. However, the method combining radiofrequency and infrared light has not been used widely for treating both skin wrinkling and tightening.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of a new nonablative Korean medical device, AntiLax(TM) (Jeisys Medical, Seoul, Korea), which uses both radiofrequency and infrared light, on facial wrinkling and laxity.
METHODS
Thirty-three patients with facial laxity and wrinkles were enrolled in this study. Three patients failed to complete the three treatment sessions spaced 4 weeks apart so, ultimately, 30 patients completed the scheduled procedure. Serial photographs of the patients were obtained during the study period. A final clinical assessment was made 3 months after the last treatment. Punch biopsies of the treatment areas were obtained 1 week before treatment and 1 month after the last treatment in five patients who agreed to undergo skin biopsies.
RESULTS
Doctors' assessments of the photographs taken before and 3 months after the treatment observed marked differences in the effect of treatment on skin laxity, according to location, but no differences in the effect of treatment on skin wrinkling, according to location. The efficacy of treatment of both skin laxity and wrinkling increased with the number of treatments. Patient satisfaction scores paralleled the clinical improvements observed. Secondary benefits reported by patients 3 months after treatment included decreased pore size, reduced sebum secretion, and improved skin texture. The side effects were mild and limited to transient erythema, edema, and rare vesicle formation. Histopathologically, there were increased, thickened collagen fibers 1 month after the last treatment, as compared to pretreatment. However, quantitative morphometric methods are needed to evaluate the histological changes objectively.
CONCLUSION
Noninvasive radiofrequency combined with infrared light appears to be a safe, effective method for treating skin laxity and facial wrinkles.