Noninvasive radio frequency for skin tightening and body contouring.

Noninvasive radio frequency for skin tightening and body contouring.
Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2013 Mar;32(1):9-17
Authors: Weiss RA
Abstract
The medical use of radio frequency (RF) is based on an oscillating electrical current forcing collisions between charged molecules and ions, which are then transformed into heat. RF heating occurs irrespective of chromophore or skin type and is not dependent on selective photothermolysis. RF can be delivered using monopolar, bipolar, and unipolar devices, and each method has theoretical limits of depth penetration. A variant of bipolar delivery is fractional RF delivery. In monopolar configurations, RF will penetrate deeply and return via a grounding electrode. Multiple devices are available and are detailed later in the text. RF thermal stimulation is believed to result in a microinflammatory process that promotes new collagen. By manipulating skin cooling, RF can also be used for heating and reduction of fat. Currently, the most common uses of RF-based devices are to noninvasively manage and treat skin tightening of lax skin (including sagging jowls, abdomen, thighs, and arms), as well as wrinkle reduction, cellulite improvement, and body contouring.
PMID: 24049924 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Source: Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery - November 14, 2014 Category: Dermatology Tags: Semin Cutan Med Surg Source Type: research