Microneedling With RF-Assisted Skin Penetration Improves the Hard-to-Treat Periorbital Wrinkles: Nonrandomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract

Introduction: This prospective study evaluates the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive radiofrequency microneedling (RFMN) for the correction of periorbital wrinkles. This study aimed to address the challenges posed by the periorbital region's unique anatomy and the limitations of existing non-surgical treatments.

Methods: Twenty-four subjects, ranging from 34 to 54 years old with Fitzpatrick skin types II-V, underwent a series of treatments using the Voluderm RF microneedling device. Participants were divided into two groups based on the severity of their wrinkles and treated with customized protocols over four sessions, with a 3-month follow-up to assess outcomes. Efficacy was determined through comparisons of pre-treatment and post-treatment wrinkle severity, using the Lemperle Classification of Facial Wrinkles (LFW) and the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, evaluated by both the investigators and the patients. Safety and tolerability were assessed through adverse event reporting and a Visual Analog Scale for treatment discomfort.

Results: The results demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in periorbital wrinkle severity, with an average 49% decrease of LFW score and improvements noted across all skin types in both groups. The aggregated facial LFW score decreased from baseline mean 13.00 ± 4.75 to 6.09 ± 3.90 (p < 0.05). The treatment was well tolerated without anesthetics, with minimal downtime and few adverse events, which were transient and resolved without intervention.

Conclusion: The efficacy of Voluderm RF microneedling in improving periorbital wrinkles of variable severity was demonstrated in patients with diverse skin types. The unique RF-assisted mechanism of the skin penetration granted a high tolerability of the treatments, negligible downtime, and minimum number of adverse events with self-resolution.