Efficacy of fractional bipolar radiofrequency for reduction of facial wrinkles in Asians

Abstract

Background : A novel fractional bipolar radiofrequency device is a new wrinkle treatment approach. Histopathological study showed different tissue impacts depending on treatment parameters. There was only one report that compared the efficacy of the treatment at different energy levels.

Objectives : To evaluate the effectiveness of the fractional bipolar radiofrequency in the treatment of facial wrinkles in Asians’ skin at different energy levels.

Materials and Methods : Twenty-eight patients were randomized to receive treatment on one half of the face, while the other half was served as a control. Treatments were performed every 4 weeks for 3 consecutive sessions. Each patient was treated with the energy level that caused moderate erythema and moderate edema at 5 minutes after testing.   Clinical   improvements  were  assessed at baseline and at 1, 3  and  6 months  after the last treatment.   Objective  measurement of wrinkles was done by Visioscan. Three blinded dermatologists evaluated photographs of the patients. Wrinkles were also assessed by the patients using grading scale.

Results : In both low and high energy groups, wrinkles on the treated side evaluated by Visioscan significantly decreased when compared with the control group (p value  = 0.001, Paired T-test). The results from the patients’ assessement of their wrinkles also showed significant improvements (p value = 0.001 and 0.011, respectively , Wilcoxon-signed ranks test). Physician’s global assessment of wrinkles showed no statistically significant differences from the control group (p value = 0.317, Wilcoxon-signed ranks test). When compared between low and high energy groups, no statistically significant differences were detected from all measurements. (p value = 0.773 for Visioscan, p value = 0.595 for Fitzpatrick wrinkles severity scores, p value = 0.418 for physician’s global assessment of wrinkles and p value = 0.736 for patient’s assessment, ANCOVA)

Conclusion :  At 6 months after completed 3 treatments, our study showed no statistically significant differences in facial wrinkles treated with fractional bipolar radiofrequency between low and high energy levels.