Treatment of Facial Skin Laxity by a New Monopolar Radiofrequency Device

BACKGROUND: Acquired facial skin laxity seems to be a result of the combination of intrinsic and extrinsic processes. For treatment of facial ageing, non-invasive procedures have become popular. AIM: We wanted to investigate the effect of a new 2.2-MHz radiofrequency (RF) device on acquired facial skin laxity. SETTING: Outpatient clinic associated with an academic teaching hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an open trial with the RF-ReFacing™ device (Meyer-Haake Medical Innovations, Wehrheim/ Germany) in the monopolar mode with a power of 8-12 W, two passes per session and repetition three times after 2 weeks without treatment. RESULTS: A total of 20 Caucasian female patients were included (age range, 34-73 years). The procedure was performed without any analgesia. We did not see any adverse effect. The procedure was scored as most convenient or convenient by all patients. Improvement in skin laxity and fine wrinkles was seen after the second treatment in 19 of the 20 patients and after the third treatment in 100% of the patients. On a scale from 0 to 3, improvement in the lower lid, Crow’s feet and jowl line was scored 2.6±0.7 by the patients; improvement in the overall appearance of the face was scored 2.3±0.5. Blinded assessment of the photographs rated the improvement as good or better in 15 of the 20 patients, moderate in 3 patients, no change in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: RF-ReFacing™ treatment was effective in improvement in skin laxity. Patients’ satisfaction was high. Although RF-ReFacing™ treatment cannot substitute surgical procedure, it might prolong the time to the first surgical facial lift. The number of patients treated was small, and no quantitative measurements or histopathology was performed. Hence further studies with greater number of patients are necessary.