Goldberg David J
Skin Laser and Surgery Specialists, Hackensack, New Jersey, USA.
Schweiger Dermatology Group, New York City, New York, USA.
J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025 Apr;24(4):e70159. doi: 10.1111/jocd.70159.
Combining monopolar radiofrequency (RF) with targeted ultrasound (TUS), this study investigated whether these modalities promote facial rejuvenation through the production of hyaluronic acid (HA) in human skin.
Seven subjects (51-64 years, BMI 21.1-29.8 kg/m) were enrolled and divided into three treatment groups in this single-center study; Group A (n = 3, simultaneous RF + TUS), Group B (n = 3, stand-alone RF), and control (n = 1, no treatment). Both treated groups underwent four (4) 60-min treatments on the face delivered 7-14 days apart. Punch biopsies (3 mm in diameter) were collected from the infra-auricular area at baseline and both follow-up visits and stained for HA by using hyaluronic acid binding protein. Digital photographs were taken to document changes in visual appearance. Finally, the subjects' comfort and satisfaction were assessed.
There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) average increase at 1 month in the HA-stained area of +112 358.7 μm in group A (RF + TUS) representing an increase of 48.65%. The treatment effect peaked at 3 months with an increase of +156 345.2 μm, corresponding to a 67.69% increase in the HA-stained area. In Group B, there was no significant difference in the average increase of the HA-stained area between 1 month (+14 830 μm) and 3 months (+20 995 μm) corresponding to a 6.76% and 9.56% increase, respectively. The control samples did not indicate any changes throughout the study. Digital photographs of the RF + TUS group showed both a decrease in rhytids and tighter skin. Therapies were comfortable with no adverse events.
Overall, this study has shown that the combination treatment of RF + TUS has a more pronounced and sustained effect on facial rejuvenation compared to RF alone. The measurable increase in the production of HA with simultaneous use of RF + TUS peaked at a 3-month follow-up, suggesting the gradual advancement of the treatment effect and overall improvement in facial appearance.
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05987917.
本研究将单极射频（RF）与靶向超声（TUS）相结合，探讨这些方法是否通过促进人体皮肤中透明质酸（HA）的产生来实现面部年轻化。
在这项单中心研究中，招募了7名受试者（年龄51 - 64岁，体重指数21.1 - 29.8kg/m），并将其分为三个治疗组；A组（n = 3，同时进行RF + TUS），B组（n = 3，单独使用RF），以及对照组（n = 1，不进行治疗）。两个治疗组均在面部进行了4次每次60分钟的治疗，治疗间隔为7 - 14天。在基线、两次随访时从耳下区域采集直径3mm的钻孔活检组织，并用透明质酸结合蛋白对HA进行染色。拍摄数码照片以记录外观变化。最后，评估受试者的舒适度和满意度。
A组（RF + TUS）在1个月时HA染色区域平均增加了112358.7μm，具有统计学意义（p < 0.05），增幅为48.65%。治疗效果在3个月时达到峰值，增加了156345.2μm，对应HA染色区域增加了67.69%。在B组中，1个月时（增加14830μm）和3个月时（增加20995μm）HA染色区域的平均增加量分别为6.76%和9.56%，无显著差异。对照样本在整个研究过程中未显示任何变化。RF + TUS组的数码照片显示皱纹减少且皮肤更紧致。治疗过程舒适，无不良事件。
总体而言，本研究表明，与单独使用RF相比，RF + TUS联合治疗对面部年轻化具有更显著和持久的效果。同时使用RF + TUS时HA产量的可测量增加在3个月随访时达到峰值，表明治疗效果逐渐显现，面部外观总体改善。
ClinicalTrials.gov标识符：NCT05987917。
