Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Multicenter Study
. 2010 Oct;12(5):208-12.
doi: 10.3109/14764172.2010.514921.

A novel fractional micro-plasma radio-frequency technology for the treatment of facial scars and rhytids: a pilot study

Shlomit Halachmi  1 , Arie Orenstein, Tania Meneghel, Moshe Lapidoth
Affiliations
Free PMC article
Multicenter Study

A novel fractional micro-plasma radio-frequency technology for the treatment of facial scars and rhytids: a pilot study

Shlomit Halachmi et al. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2010 Oct.
Free PMC article

Abstract

Introduction: Fractional ablative and non-ablative lasers have gained popularity in the treatment of acne scars and rhytids due to their efficacy and improved tolerability. Plasma and radio frequency (RF) have also emerged as methods for ablative or non-ablative energy delivery. We report preliminary experience with a novel fractional micro-plasma RF device for the treatment of facial acne scars and rhytids.

Methods: Sixteen patients with facial acne scars or rhytids were treated at 4-week intervals. Treatment parameters were titrated to an immediate end point of moderate erythema. The clinical end point for cessation of treatment was the attainment of satisfactory clinical results. Results were monitored photographically up to 3 months after treatment.

Results: Acne scars showed marked improvement after two to four treatments. Facial rhytids demonstrated reduced depth after two treatments and marked improvement after four treatments. Treatment was well tolerated by all participants, with transient erythema and short downtime. These results provide initial evidence for the safety and effectiveness of fractional micro-plasma RF as a low-downtime and well-tolerated modality for the treatment of acne scars and facial rhytids.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pixel RF tips, showing the spicules that form the small foci of contact with the skin, in the roller confi guration (left) and in stationary tips (right).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Histological changes following Pixel RF application to porcine skin in preclinical studies. Day 0: wedge-shaped channel of tissue ablation formed in the epidermis and papillary dermis by a single pulse of 45 watts RF; Day 3: re-epithelialization of full-thickness epidermis, except the stratum corneum; Day 14: complete healing.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Treatment of acne scars. (A) Acne scars before and 1.5 months after three treatments; (B) acne scars before and 3 months after three treatments.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Treatment of facial rhytids. (A) Facial rhytids before and 1 month after two treatments; (B) facial rhytids before and 1 month after three treatments; (C) facial rhytids before and 1 month after four treatments.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Treatment of facial rhytids. (A, B) Facial rhytids before and 3 months after three treatments.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Manstein D, Herron GS, Sink RK, Tanner H, Anderson RR. Fractional photothermolysis: A new concept for cutaneous remodeling using microscopic patterns of thermal injury. Lasers Surg Med. 2004;34(5):426–38. - PubMed
    1. Laubach HJ, Tannous Z, Anderson RR, Manstein D. Skin responses to fractional photothermolysis. Lasers Surg Med. 2006;38(2):142–9. - PubMed
    1. Gold MH. Fractional technology: A review and clinical approaches. J Drugs Dermatol. 2007;6(8):849–52. - PubMed
    1. Alexiades-Armenakas MR, Dover JS, Arndt KA. The spectrum of laser skin resurfacing: Nonablative, fractional, and ablative laser resurfacing. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58(5):719–37. quiz 738-40. - PubMed
    1. Chapas AM, Brightman L, Sukal S, Hale E, Daniel D, Bernstein LJ, et al. Successful treatment of acneiform scarring with CO2 ablative fractional resurfacing. Lasers Surg Med. 2008;40(6):381–6. - PubMed

Publication types