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Single-treatment skin tightening by radiofrequency and long-pulsed, 1064-nm Nd: YAg laser compared

✍ Scribed by Douglas J. Key


Publisher
John Wiley and Sons
Year
2007
Tongue
English
Weight
279 KB
Volume
39
Category
Article
ISSN
0196-8092

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✦ Synopsis


Abstract

Background and Objective

To compare single‐treatment facial skin tightening achieved with the current radiofrequency (RF) protocol with single‐treatment tightening achieved with the long‐pulsed, 1064‐nm Nd:YAG laser.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

A total of 12 patients were treated with RF energy on one side of the face and laser energy on the other. Results were evaluated on a numerical scale (0–12 with 12 = greatest enhancement) from pre‐ and posttreatment photographs by a blinded panel.

Results

Upper face improvement (posttreatment score minus pretreatment score) was essentially the same on both sides (30.2 and 31.3% improvement for laser and RF, respectively, P = 0.89). Lower face improvement was greater in the laser‐treated side (35.7 and 23.8% improvement for laser and RF, respectively), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.074). Overall face improvement was significantly greater on the laser‐treated side (47.5 and 29.8% improvement for laser and RF, respectively, P = 0.028).

Conclusion

A single high‐fluence treatment with the long‐pulse 1064‐nm Nd:YAG laser may improve skin laxity more than a single treatment with the RF device. Further controlled split‐face or very large non‐self controlled studies are needed to conclusively determine the relative efficacies of the two technologies. Lasers Surg. Med. 39:169–175, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.