An Anatomical Approach to Radiofrequency-Assisted Facial Rejuvenation: Beyond the Treatment Gap.

Background: Radiofrequency-assisted (RF) facial rejuvenation has become a safe and reliable option for "treatment gap" patients, including (1) patients whose skin laxity is not severe enough to warrant a facelift, yet not mild enough to reliably treat with noninvasive procedures; (2) patients who have already undergone a face or neck lift and have recurrent laxity; and (3) patients who would benefit from a traditional face or neck lift but want to avoid surgery and are willing to accept a more modest improvement without extensive surgical scar burden and recovery.

Objectives: In this study we aimed to educate the reader about providing bipolar RF to various anatomic regions of the face.

Methods: A retrospective review of cases was conducted to assess the safety of zone-specific RF-assisted facial rejuvenation in S.A.'s practice.

Results: RF-microneedling with Morpheus8 was performed on 364 foreheads, 364 periorbita, 353 perioral areas, and 233 jawlines. RF-bipolar with AccuTite was performed on 43 nasolabial folds. There were no cases of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, scarring, or prolonged erythema.

Conclusions: The result of patients treated with the combination of bipolar radiofrequency and fractional bipolar radiofrequency microneedling has expanded RF-assisted facial rejuvenation in our practice. We report on an anatomical approach to RF-assisted facial rejuvenation, as well as expanding indications beyond treatment gap patients.

Level of evidence: 4 (therapeutic):