Nonsurgical Nonablative Treatment of Aging Skin: Radiofrequency Technologies Between Aggressive Marketing and Evidence-Based Efficacy

Abstract

The gold standard treatment for the many aesthetic aspects of aging has for many years been surgery in its many forms. However, with increasing patient demand for cosmetic rejuvenation and with the strong desire and drive by patients to attain aesthetic enhancement with minimal risk and rapid recovery, there has been a strong surge inspiring the field of nonsurgical skin rejuvenation. Traditionally, most of the nonsurgical methods have centered around those that destroy the epidermis and cause a dermal wound, with resultant dermal collagen remodeling and secondary skin tightening and rhytid improvement. Currently, there is growing interest in a wide range of nonablative interventions that, predictably, are claimed to rejuvenate skin and subcutaneous tissue "safely and effectively." Although several nonablative systems have been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the purpose of skin rejuvenation and despite significant reported improvement in the appearance of signs and symptoms of photoaging by relatively noninvasive means, the clinical results have been generally less than impressive, with most subjects showing only mild improvement. The current review aims at summarizing the various nonablative methods currently in use for skin rejuvenation and to evaluate the evidence-based efficacy of a particular nonablative radiofrequency (NARF) method: monopolar radiofrequency.

Radiofrequency in the Female Genital Laxity - A Pilot Study

“…The production of new collagen and contraction of existing collagen fibers, promoted by RF, promoted a better look at the skin. (8,11,19) Furthermore, the production of elastic fibers responsible for the elasticity of the skin and reduction of sagging tissue, also contributed to a better appearance of genital labia majora. (11) This positive change was also verified by the health professionals.…”

“…(10) Through the production of warmth to the skin layers, occurs a immediate retraction of the existing colagen and also occurs micro-remodeling over time, the radiofrequency has been employed successfully in the treatment of skin aging of the face, trunk and limbs. (8,11) There are no reports in the literature of the use of radiofrequency in the treatment of skin latixy labia.…”

“…(8) The radiofrequency was initially studied in 1949 for the treatment of skin laxity with significant improvement in skin tissue appearance (8,9) then in 1995 was used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. (10) Through the production of warmth to the skin layers, occurs a immediate retraction of the existing colagen and also occurs micro-remodeling over time, the radiofrequency has been employed successfully in the treatment of skin aging of the face, trunk and limbs.…”

Clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of combined bipolar radiofrequency and optical energies vs. optical energy alone for the treatment of pigmented lesions and photo-damage in aging hands

“…Several treatment modalities are currently being used to address some of different aspects of the aging skin including peels, ablative and non-ablative lasers, focused ultrasound, RF-based devices as well as combined RF and optical energy modalities with each modality demonstrating varying degrees of success, safety and tolerability [1,3,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17].…”

Physiotherapy in the Patient With Disorder of Sexual Development: Functionality and Aesthetics

“…A RF trata-se de uma onda eletromagnética e tem seu mecanismo de ação baseado na geração de calor nas camadas cutâneas, com retração imediata do colágeno existente e neocolanogênese ao longo do tempo13. Este recurso tem sido muito utilizado em pacientes com flacidez cutânea de face, tronco e membros, com melhora significativa do quadro 14 , e esta começando a ser utilizado também na região genital 15,16,17 . Um estudo piloto buscou avaliar a segurança da radiofrequência não ablativa em região de grandes lábios, no qual não foi verificado nenhum efeito adverso 17 .…”