ITEM TYPE:

Journal Article

AUTHORS:

C. Helen Malone, Nicole Walters, Rachel Stroh, Gilly Munavalli

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of Review: The skin laxity component of facial aging has been traditionally addressed with surgical intervention. However, demand for alternative treatment options with less associated risk, scarring, downtime, and cost have driven advances in non-surgical tightening techniques. This article explores the recent advances in these non-surgical technologies for skin tightening including microcoring, hydroxyapatite fillers, and energy-based devices (lasers, ultrasound, radiofrequency, and plasma).

Recent Findings: Advances in non-surgical skin-tightening devices allow for effective skin tightening. Although fully ablative laser resurfacing devices are often considered the gold standard for non-surgical rejuvenation, important advances in this technology include fractionated energy delivery to decrease risk and shorten treatment recovery. In addition, studies have shown that optimal treatment temperatures for skin tightening are lower than those achieved with CO2, favoring radiofrequency devices as a more optimal choice for tissue tightening in terms of treatment results, skin types amenable to treatment, risks, and downtime. Ultrasound technology has the unique advantage of allowing for real-time tissue assessment and tailored heat delivery. Microcoring and hydroxyapatite treatment stimulate skin tightening without heat production. Advantages and disadvantages of various non-surgical skin tightening are reviewed and summarized in this article.

Summary: A wide array of non-surgical skin-tightening techniques provide an attractive alternative to surgical intervention for modern cosmetic patients.

APYX® MEDICAL DISCLOSURES:

FINANCIAL & CONTENT DISCLOSURE
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and publication of this article. No funding was received for this article. Drs DiBernardo, Bharti, and Kortesis are paid consultants for Apyx Medical, and Dr Duncan is a member of Apyx Medical’s Medical Advisory Board. The opinions contained herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of Apyx Medical, Inc.

MANUFACTURING DISCLOSURE
Apyx Medical manufactures and owns the Renuvion®/J-Plasma® technology discussed in this article.

INDICATIONS FOR USE & INTENDED USE DISCLOSURES

• • The Renuvion APR Handpiece is intended for the delivery of radiofrequency energy and/or helium plasma for cutting, coagulation, and ablation of soft tissue during open surgical procedures.
  • The Renuvion APR Handpiece is indicated for use in subcutaneous dermatological and aesthetic procedures to improve the appearance of lax (loose) skin in the neck and submental region.
  • The Renuvion APR Handpiece is intended to be used with compatible electrosurgical generators owned by Apyx Medical (specifically BVX-200H, BVX-200P, APYX-200H, APYX-200P, APYX-RS3, and APYX-JS3).
  • Apyx Medical wants to present you with current scientific discourse. Specific usage outside of the cleared indications may not be safe or effective.
  • The use of Renuvion with liposuction has not been approved or cleared by the FDA.

RISKS

• • As with all energy devices there are inherent risks associated with its use. Risk associated with the use of the Renuvion APR may include: helium embolism into the surgical site due to inadvertent introduction into the venous or arterial blood supply system, unintended burns (deep or superficial), pneumothorax, temporary or permanent nerve injury, ischemia, fibrosis, infection, pain, discomfort, gas buildup resulting in temporary and transient crepitus or pain, bleeding, hematoma, seroma, subcutaneous induration, pigmentation changes, increased healing time, scarring, asymmetry and/or unacceptable cosmetic result.

As with any procedure, individual results may vary. As with all energy devices there are inherent risks associated with its use, refer to the IFU for further information.