RF's rebirth

Radiofrequency (RF) technology has had a rebirth in aesthetic surgery with needle RF, according to Macrene Alexiades, M.D., Ph.D., associate clinical professor, Yale University School of Medicine and director of the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center of New York, New York City.

Dr. Alexiades spoke about radiofrequency devices during today’s Cutting Edge in Cosmetic Dermatology: Fundamentals session at the 2016 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) annual meeting in New Orleans.

RF has taken skin tightening and radiofrequency to a new level and new heights, says Dr. Alexiades, who helped develop the first needle-delivered RF device, Primaeva (since acquired by Syneron Medical) in 2006.

Her top tips for dermatologists using RF devices:

Tip #1: “Thanks to needle RF, we now know the ideal target temperature and depth for neocollagenesis, neoelastinogenesis and hyaluronic acid formation: 67 degrees C intradermal, mid-reticular dermis,” she says.

Dr. Alexiades’ study on the topic, looking at fractional radiofrequency, was published last year in Dermatologic Surgery. In that study, she reports that using the optimal target dermal temperature for facial and neck wrinkles and laxity for a duration of 3 to 4 seconds had a 100 percent response rate after a single fractional RF treatment.

Tip #2: “Needle delivery has surpassed skin surface applications and allows for a 100 percent response rate in wrinkle and laxity reduction and 37 percent the result of a surgical facelift,” according to Dr. Alexiades.

Tip #3: “Always ensure full needle insertion to maximize outcomes and eliminate risk of superficial injury,” she says.

Disclosure: Dr. Alexiades’ research has been funded by Syneron.