Evaluation of pain associated with facial injections using CoolSkin(®) in rhytidectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of the CoolSkin(®) (Elbio, Seoul, Korea) skin-cooling device to reduce injection pain during rhytidectomy. METHOD: Nineteen patients underwent rhytidectomy using the CoolSkin at −4°C on the first side lateral injection. The second side was then started without the cooling. Patients were offered cooling if they desired it on the second side. Surveys were administered 24 hours after the procedure, comparing pain (scale 0–5) and investigating treatment preferences. Patient healing was tracked for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Mean pain score for the untreated side was 4.63 versus 2.37 for the CoolSkin-treated side (P < 0.001). All patients asked for the second side to be cooled, and 89% were in favor of the chilling procedure when surveyed 24 hours afterwards. Sixty eight percent of patients stated that this device reduced fear of future injections. No flap loss or healing sequelae were noted from device use. CONCLUSION: The CoolSkin device is an effective tool to reduce injection pain laterally during rhytidectomy.