3-D imaging confirms volumizing effects of fractional bipolar RF

Kissimmee, Fla. - An aesthetic device that delivers bipolar radiofrequency (RF) energy via microneedling appears to achieve skin tightening, lifting and volumization that can be measured objectively through the comparison of pre- and postprocedure 3-D images, said Lori Brightman, M.D., at the 2012 annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Evolastin (Syneron/Candela) is an aesthetic device that delivers controlled fractionated bipolar RF energy directly into the deep dermis via microneedling, resulting in neocollagenesis, neoelastinogenesis and hyaluronic acid formation in the targeted skin, says Dr. Brightman, a board-certified dermatologist at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York.

While many aesthetic devices target skin tightening, Evolastin appears to achieve tightening and volume increase, both of which can be appreciated by comparing 3-D images taken before and after a single treatment, she says.

“The benefits of bipolar RF energy in facial skin rejuvenation are largely known, but until now, the deeper effects of RF and safety of technique were limited by its mode of delivery,” Dr. Brightman says. “Introducing bipolar RF energy directly into the dermis using a microneedling device allows us to deposit the energy where it is needed most to catalyze the skin rejuvenation process.”

Successful study
Recently, Dr. Brightman conducted a study using Evolastin in 10 consecutive patients with mild to moderate facial skin laxity, with each patient receiving only one treatment. Patients were followed up to nine months and changes in volume and lift were assessed using 3-D imagery.

In the self-evaluation satisfaction questionnaire completed by nine out of the 10 patients, 44.4, 22.2 and 22.2 percent of patients evaluated their outcome as “very much improved,” “much improved” and “improved,” respectively, while 11 percent of patients scored a “no change.” No patient reported “worse change” in their evaluation.

“You can only see and appreciate so much in two-dimensional images. Measuring the change achieved in the elevation of the targeted areas using three-dimensional images removes the human bias encountered when viewing two-dimensional photographs,” Dr. Brightman says.

Evolastin therapy may be ideal for patients with mild-to-moderate facial laxity and volume loss, and/or for patients who do not want to undergo or are contraindicated for facial cosmetic surgery, Dr. Brightman says.

“I have not been able to reproduce both volume and tightening improvements with any other device that I have used to date. In my opinion, having a very high level of patient satisfaction reflects the volume and tightening changes seen in the three-dimensional imagery,” Dr. Brightman says.

Disclosures: Dr. Brightman is a clinical investigator for Syneron/Candela, and that company loaned the Evolastin device to her for the clinical trial.

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