| DERMAL REJUVENATION | PEER-REVIEW


Table 1 Scale of clinical improvement


DEGREE 0


1


2 3 4


DESCRIPTION No improvement


1–25% improvement 26–50% improvement 51–75% improvement 76–100% improvement


patients were enrolled in the study after meeting all


inclusion/exclusion criteria and providing signed informed consent forms. PatientsÕ Fitzpatrick skin types varied between 1 and 4. The main inclusion criteria were healthy patients over 21 years of age with facial conditions as required by the evaluation protocol. It was also necessary for the patient to be able to comprehend and sign informed consent for participation in this study, and commit to all treatments and follow-up visits. The main exclusion criteria were based on the


medical/clinical condition and history of the patient. For example, electrical device implant, metal implants in the treatment area, pregnant or lactating women, patients who underwent any other surgical or cosmetic procedure in the recent past, patients with any skin problem or suspicious lesions in the treatment area, and subjects with clotting disorders or any other medical condition that may affect treatment were causes for exclusion from the study.


Treatment During each treatment session, patients received a full-face and neck 3DEEP non-ablative facial tightening treatment, while the recommended protocol by the company is to divide the cheeks and the neck into two treatment areas. The first four treatment sessions were


Figure 3 Change in average Fitzpatrick score 5.43


6 5 4 3 2 1


0 Before treatment


At the end of six treatments


Three months after six treatments


4.57 4.28


performed at 2-week intervals, with an additional two treatment sessions performed at 4-week intervals (i.e. patients received six treatment sessions). Patients returned at 1 and 3 months after the sessions for follow-up. The RF device used was an EndyMed Pro, a


The RF device used


was an EndyMed Pro, a phase-controlled,


multisource RF system that emits RF energy at 1 MHz of up to 65 watts.


phase-controlled, multisource RF system that emits RF energy at 1 MHz of up to 65 watts. All patients were treated with the small (facial) handpiece. The non-ablative deep dermal heating


mode is painless and therefore, does not require any kind of anaesthesia or post- treatment care. Before commencing the non- ablative procedure, the skin was cleaned with soap and water in order to remove make-up or other lotions. The treatment area (face and neck) was divided into two sections


(two sides, approximately 25 x 10 cm). As the treatment area was more than twice the size of the recommended treatment area ® according to the treatment protocol of the company ® the treatment energy used was the maximum (65 W). Using the maximum energy allowed the operator to maintain the desired skin surface temperature in order to reach the endpoint and trigger collagen remodelling through an effective treatment. Each treatment area was heated for up to 10–15 minutes, during which, skin surface temperature was maintained at


prime-journal.com | March 2013


❚


83


Fitzpatrick wrinkle score


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