Results of a Survey of 5,700 Patient Monopolar Radiofrequency Facial Skin Tightening Treatments: Assessment of a Low-Energy Multiple-Pass Technique Leading to a Clinical End Point Algorithm

  1. JEFFREY S. DOVER MD, FRCPC, FRCP1,
  2. BRIAN ZELICKSON MD2,
  3. THE 14-PHYSICIAN MULTISPECIALTY CONSENSUS PANEL1

Article first published online: 2 MAY 2007

DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33191.x

Issue

Dermatologic Surgery

Dermatologic Surgery

Volume 33, Issue 8, pages 900–907, August 2007

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How to Cite

DOVER, J. S., ZELICKSON, B. and THE 14-PHYSICIAN MULTISPECIALTY CONSENSUS PANEL (2007), Results of a Survey of 5,700 Patient Monopolar Radiofrequency Facial Skin Tightening Treatments: Assessment of a Low-Energy Multiple-Pass Technique Leading to a Clinical End Point Algorithm. Dermatologic Surgery, 33: 900–907. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33191.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    SkinCare Physicians, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts; the Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; and the Department of Medicine (Dermatology), Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire

  2. 2

    Skin Specialists, Cosmetic Care Center, Minneapolis, Edina, and Wayzata, Minnesota; and the Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

*Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Jeffrey S. Dover, MD, 1244 Boylston Street, Suite 302, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, or e-mail: jdover@skincarephysicians.net

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 2 MAY 2007
  2. Article first published online: 2 MAY 2007

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INTRODUCTION Monopolar radiofrequency is an effective means of nonsurgical facial skin tightening.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether using larger tips at lower energy and multiple passes, using patient feedback on heat sensation and treating to a clinical end point of visible tightening, would yield better results than single passes with small tips at high energy, as measured by patient and physician satisfaction.

METHODS Fourteen physicians from four specialties were surveyed to determine the answers to the following three questions. (1) Is patient's feedback on heat sensation a valid and preferred method for optimal energy selection? (2) Do multiple passes at moderate energy settings yield substantial and consistent efficacy? (3) Is treating to a clinical end point of visible tightening predictable of results?

RESULTS A total of 5,700 patient treatments were surveyed. Comparisons were made using the original algorithm of high-energy, single pass to the new algorithm of lower energy and multiple passes with visible tightening as the end point of treatment. Using the original treatment algorithm, 26% of patients demonstrated immediate tightening, 54% observed skin tightening 6 months after treatment, 45% found the procedure too painful, and 68% of patients found the treatment results met their expectations. With the new multiple-pass algorithm, 87% observed immediate tightening, 92% had the tightening six months after treatment, 5% found the procedure too painful, while 94% found the treatment results met their expectations.

CONCLUSIONS Patient feedback on heat sensation is a valid, preferable method for optimal energy selection in monopolar radiofrequency skin-tightening treatments.

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