Beauty Doc Blog

No one likes wrinkles. As we get older our skin becomes less elastic, the muscles weaker, and wrinkles begin to appear, especially on the face. Many of those who go to plastic surgeons or to medical spas go with the implicit reason to reduce or remove wrinkles and improve appearance, gaining the appearance of youth. Wrinkles are a visible sign of aging that amount to a huge industry when it comes to their removal. In fact, wrinkle removal and reduction is becoming one of the most sought after and requested cosmetic and aesthetic procedures, with many treatments now available. One of these treatments, currently in the news, is the use of radiofrequency energy in various and diverse modes of action. A new device implements what has been hailed as an innovative combination to vacuum and bipolar radiofrequency. In fact, a study was recently conducted to determine its safety and effectiveness.

In the study forty-six healthy individuals, all adults, at two separate clinics were treated. They underwent eight facial treatments every one or two weeks. For a six month period after the treatment the patients were observed and assessed by two evaluators at each clinic, including the treating physician and another reviewer. The standard evaluation tools were used including the Fitzpatrick Goldman Classification of Wrinkling and Degree of Elastosis, and a visual analog scale for measuring results. It was determined that there was significant improvement in the appearance and the texture of the individuals’ skin. The appearance and texture were better and the treatment was continued at an increased rate during a follow up period. The tests provided a mean elastosis scale before treatment of 4.5 and after treatment of 2.5. This drop was of an entire class of wrinkles, from II to I on the standard scale, with low levels of pain and the subjects expressing satisfaction with all aspects of the treatment. Adverse affects were primarily transient erythema and a burning or blistering. A few occurrences of edemapurpura, crusting and there was one transient hyperpigmentation occurrence. There were no permanent complications which demonstrated the safety and the efficiency of this new treatment to reduce wrinkles of the face and elastosis.

With such positive results it is highly likely that the bipolar radiofrequency treatment will become common in use to fight wrinkles by reduction. This provides physicians and healthcare professionals with one more weapon in the fight against aging.