Radiofrequency (RF) skin tightening lasers are on the rise driven by consumer demand for minimally invasive Anti-Aging treatments.
How does Radiofrequency (RF) laser work for Anti-Aging?
Facial rejuvenation is a developing art and science whose popularity is rapidly growing as many of us are feeling the impact of facial aging and are seeking less invasive and non-surgical options to look and feel great. There are different kinds of aging: intrinsic or biological aging that is slow, and irreversible, and extrinsic aging or “photoaging,” from the sun.
Photoaging responds best to laser treatments. It can rebuild old collagen (building blocks of the skin) in the deep dermal layers reversing “solar,” or skin damage caused by the sun. Laser treatments also help remove something called elastosis that makes skin look thick and wrinkled.
Fractional Radiofrequency (FRF) is a special kind of skin tightening or non-ablative resurfacing laser that helps reverse photoaging and sun damage using high frequency electromagnetic technology to rejuvenate the deep or dermal layers of the skin. It’s unique in that it does not break or damage the surface of the skin unlike microneedle technology or powerful ablative lasers. This translates into less visible skin injury right after a treatment and less social and physical downtime (if any). In most cases after a resurfacing FRF laser treatment you can return to work or attend social events that day or if not the next day with minimal facial redness and swelling.
The downside is that you will need multiple treatments (3 to 6 on average) to achieve the desired results and may be less impressive than that achieved with ablative lasers. Ablative lasers effectively remove or vaporizes the top layer of the skin in a single treatment (removing lines and wrinkles) but carries risks like skin infection, skin pigment changes, and scarring especially in darker-skinned patients, and longer downtimes from work and activities. Ablative lasers like CO2 causes redness, oozing, and swelling or better known as the painful “severe sunburn,” look that can last up to 2 weeks.
Fractional Radiofrequency (FRF) lasers unlike ablative lasers works by primarily targeting the deeper layers of the skin avoiding the sunburned look. It creates youthful skin tightening by going directly to the dermis, the skin most prone to aging, wrinkles, and sagging. It generates thermal heat energy by a cycle of inflammation, tissue regeneration and remodeling leading to tighter and more youthful skin. It can also help reduce acne scarring, dark spots, redness and rosacea (chronic skin condition), and improve skin texture.
Is there scientific evidence of tighter and healthier skin with Radiofrequency (RF) lasers?
A study in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology says fractional radiofrequency (RF) monopolar laser is impressive even after a few treatments. RF laser was done in a group of middle-aged people (ages 42 to 62) who suffered from signs of photoaging and skin laxity (saggy skin) with the goal of improving skin tightening in the forehead and lower eyelids using 6 laser treatments spaced out every 2 weeks over a 3-month period.
Side effects to RF laser were minimal in this group including slight redness of the skin, and mild hyperpigmentation in one case that went away naturally. All reported subjective improvement in skin tightening immediately following the first treatment with significant improvement in skin tightening and fewer wrinkles at 3 and at 6 months. The majority of the patients reported a 95 % satisfaction rate with their results.
In order to see the effects beneath the skin were “real,” and scientific, all agreed to skin biopsies after the first treatment, at 3 months, and then at 6 months. As expected, the amount of collagen and elastin increased after the first treatment and continued to improve by a whopping 80% by the end of 6 months. Collagen production even continued after the laser treatments ended implying a long-lasting Anti-aging response.
Another study by the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology also showed great response from fractional radiofrequency (FRF) using microprobe technology after 3 treatments. It improved acne scars, uneven skin texture, and wrinkles. There were no significant side effects except for mild pain (3/10 pain) during the procedure from the microprobe pricks and heat. There was no downtime except for instructions on not using make-up and harsh skin products for 24 hours or so.
Any final advice on RF lasers and Anti-Aging?
Radiofrequency (RF) lasers are gaining popularity in facial rejuvenation and Anti-Aging. It is especially beneficial in minimizing wrinkles and skin tightening as well as treating acne scarring and improving skin texture. The number of treatments to get the results you want depends on the device, number of microprobes, heat intensity and treatment response but in general usually requires 3 to 6 treatments.
The beauty and benefit to RF lasers is there are very few risks including changes in skin pigmentation or scarring especially in darker skin types, low risk of infection, and is only mildly painful in most cases, and can provide long-lasting skin tightening results over time.
It is important to give it time to work meaning even after 3 to 6 treatments it may take up to 6 months or longer for the full benefits to be seen. If you want speeder results you may need to combine it with other modalities including Botox (botulism toxin) injections for softening of lines, or other collagen stimulating treatments.
In a recent news release, the global market Radiofrequency Aesthetic equipment is predicted to grow by leaps and bounds currently a $540 million dollar industry slated to increase over the next 5 to 10 years. This is driven by consumer demand and growing awareness for more holistic and safer approaches to Anti-aging, skin rejuvenation, body contouring, and facial lifting instead of relying on traditional costly and painful corrective plastic surgery and harsh ablative lasers.
The next generation lasers will offer even better rejuvenating technologies with multi-uses including enhanced Fractional Radiofrequency (FRF) resurfacing lasers, ultrasound and LED (light emitting diode) therapy but for now we recommend the use of FRF for mild skin laxity and tightening if you want a safe and effective option.
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