A prospective, split face, single‐blinded study looking at the use of an infrared device with contact cooling in the treatment of skin laxity in asians

Abstract

Background: Although monopolar radiofrequency treatment is effective in the improvement of skin laxity, the pain and cost that are associated with this method suggest the need for alternative treatment options. Recently, an infrared device with contact cooling has been shown to be effective in the treatment of skin laxity, with ultrastructural changes observed that are similar to those that are observed following treatment with a monopolar radiofrequency device. However, no control was included in previous studies. Objective: To conduct a prospective, split-face, singleblinded study to look at the efficacy and complications among Asians of treatment for skin tightening with an infrared device with contact cooling. Method: Thirteen Chinese women were treated. An infrared device with contact cooling (Titan, Cutera, Brisbane, CA) was used to treat one side of the face and the untreated side served as the control. The treatment was performed twice with a 4-week interval between the treatments and the patients were followed up by subjective assessment using a structured questionnaire 1 and 3 months after the second (and last) treatment. In all cases, pre-and posttreatment clinical photographs were taken. Two independent observers assessed the photographs. Results: Twenty-three percentage of patients reported mild improvement, 15% reported moderate improvement, and 54% reported significant improvement 3 months after their second (and last) treatment. In terms of objective assessment, 41% of patients were identified to have some degree of improvement of the treated side 3 months after their second treatment. Compared with the untreated side, the treated side improved significantly (P ¼ 0.031) at 1 and 3 months after the second treatment. Blistering occurred in one patient, which had resolved completely by the 3-month follow-up visit. Conclusion: An infrared device with contact cooling can be used effectively and safely for the treatment of skin laxity, especially in smaller anatomical areas.

Patient satisfaction and efficacy of accent high-intensity focused ultrasound for face lifting

“…Recently, HIFU treatment has received proper medical attention as a 'high-tech' way to improve face lifting [3,4,10]. To date, few articles have demonstrated the efficacy of HIFU face lifting and devices.…”

“…Although ablative lasers remain the gold standard for photodamaged skin rejuvenation, their use is associated with side effects as well as a prolonged and unpleasant posttreatment downtime [1,8]. Thus, in recent years, non-invasive and non-ablative procedures have attracted attention with the hope of achieving skin tightening effects close to those of ablative lasers while avoiding long recovery times and potential complications [9][10][11]. Nonablative rejuvenation (NAR) devices have been designed to induce thermal injury within the dermis without epidermal damage [12][13][14].…”

“…White et al reported the first dermatologic, aesthetic use of HIFU in 2008, and HIFU was approved by the food and drug administration in 2009 for use in brow lifting [18]. Currently, it is being used for facial rejuvenation, lifting, tightening, and body contouring, which are considered 'off-label' use [10]. The principle of HIFU is to induce cellular damage and volume reduction of the target area selectively by means of coagulation by generating instant microthermal lesions through the accumulation of high-frequency ultrasound beams at the specific tissue site without any damage to the epidermis and adjacent issue [21].…”

Clinical Effectiveness of Broad-band Infrared Light Therapy for Wrinkles and Skin Laxity of the Face

“…Various treatment modalities such as laser and light-based treatments are known to be effective for wrinkles and skin laxity. Fractional CO 2 and Neodymium:YttriumAluminum-Garnet (Nd:YAG) (1064, 1320, and 1440 nm) lasers, broad-band infrared, radiofrequency and intense focused ultrasound, have been used [1][2][3][4][5].…”

Introduction to the special dermatology issue

“…Chan et al [12] report a split face study demonstrating some degree of tightening in 5 of 12 patients whose photos were examined by two independent blinded assessors at 3 months after two treatments with an infrared device with contact cooling.…”