TY - JOUR
T1 - Results of a survey of 5,700 patient monopolar radiofrequency facial skin tightening treatments
T2 - Assessment of a low-energy multiple-pass technique leading to a clinical end point algorithm
AU - Dover, Jeffrey S.
AU - Zelickson, Brian
AU - Burns, Jay
AU - Hughes, Charles
AU - Hugo, Ben
AU - Chan, Henry
AU - Isaacson, Dale
AU - Kaminer, Michael
AU - Atkin, Deborah
AU - Mayoral, Flor
AU - Nestor, Mark
AU - Weiss, Bob
AU - Newman, James
AU - Biesman, Brian
PY - 2007/8/1
Y1 - 2007/8/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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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U2 - 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33191.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33191.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 17661932
AN - SCOPUS:34547126879
SN - 1076-0512
VL - 33
SP - 900
EP - 907
JO - Dermatologic Surgery
JF - Dermatologic Surgery
IS - 8
ER -