Single Treatment Protocol With Microneedle Fractional Radiofrequency for Treatment of Body Skin Laxity and Fat Deposits

Macrene Alexiades, Gilly S Munavalli, Macrene Alexiades, Gilly S Munavalli

Abstract

Background and objectives: Treatment modalities have been developed to address patient concerns with skin laxity and focal adipose excess. A previously published multicenter clinical trial reported improvement in cellulite severity after a single dermal and subcutaneous treatment on the upper thigh with a microneedle radiofrequency device. In the current study, this device was used to improve the esthetic appearance of body skin laxity and localized fat deposits above the knee, upper arms, and upper-mid back/axillary region ("bra-line").

Study design/materials and methods: Subjects with cellulite, skin laxity, and/or subcutaneous adipose excess in the suprapatellar region of the anterior thigh, upper arms, and bra-line underwent a single dermal and/or subcutaneous treatment. Investigators and subjects assessed outcome at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up, using 5-point Likert scales for global esthetic improvement, skin laxity improvement, and satisfaction.

Results: In total, 31 females (mean age 51 ± 9 years) with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV received a single treatment on 62 treatment areas: 22 upper arms, 34 suprapatellar, and 6 bra-lines. Investigator assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months for global esthetic improvement and skin laxity for the upper arms and bra-line demonstrated improvements in 100% of subjects at all timepoints; for the suprapatellar region, these values were 69%, 92%, 65%, and 85%, 92%, 65%, respectively. Investigator satisfaction at each timepoint was satisfied or very satisfied in 80%, 100%, 90% for upper arms; 80%, 80%, 80% for bra-line; and 50%, 81%, 65% for suprapatellar region. Subject self-assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months for global esthetic improvement and skin laxity for the upper arms demonstrated improvements in 100% of subjects at all timepoints; for the bra-line, these values were 40%, 60%, 80%, and 60%, 60%, 80%, respectively; for the suprapatellar region, these values were 81%, 92%, 88%, and 69%, 85%, 88%, respectively. Subject satisfaction at each timepoint was satisfied or very satisfied in 80%, 100%, 100% for upper arms; 40%, 40%, 80% for bra-line; and 50%, 77%, 65% for suprapatellar. Treatments were well tolerated with subjects reporting transient erythema and edema associated with 69% and 46% of treatments, respectively. Mild bruising, resolving within 5 days, was reported after 32% of the treatments.

Conclusion: Microneedle fractional radiofrequency provides a single treatment protocol to improve the esthetic appearance of body skin laxity and localized adipose excess to the upper arms, bra-line, and suprapatellar regions. Further study is warranted to evaluate the degree of improvement and long-term effect beyond 6 months post-treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03078647.

Keywords: body sculpting; fat deposits; microneedle RF; microneedling; radiofrequency; skin laxity.

© 2021 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of treatments performed with the different handpieces.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Investigator assessments at study follow‐up visits.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Representative improvement in upper arm skin laxity, rhytids, and fat deposits after a single treatment with microneedle fractional radiofrequency (RF). (a) Upper arm of a 60‐year‐old female with Fitzpatrick skin type III before treatment; (b) 3‐month follow‐up showing improvement in skin laxity and crepiness after a subcutaneous microneedling treatment with 160 RF pulses.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Representative improvement in anterior thigh laxity, rhytids, and fat deposits after a single microneedle fractional radiofrequency (RF) treatment. (a) Suprapatellar areas of a 51‐year‐old female with Fitzpatrick skin type III before treatment; (b) 6‐month follow‐up showing 75%–100% overall improvement on the Global Esthetic Improvement scale and very visible skin laxity improvement after a dermal microneedling treatment with 87 RF pulses on each side.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Subject assessments at study follow‐up visits.

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