BACKGROUND: The quality of one's facial appearance diminishes with aging as skin and underlying soft tissues deteriorate. Connective tissue and musculofascial degeneration leads to skin laxity and wrinkles developing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of synchronized radiofrequency with high intensity facial stimulation technology on dermal collagen and elastin fibers in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight sows were divided into Active (N = 6) and Control (N = 2) groups. Synchronized radiofrequency and high intensity facial stimulation were delivered to the ventrolateral abdomen. The Active group received four 20-minute treatments, once a week. Control group was untreated. Skin biopsy sample were histologically analyzed for connective tissue changes pre- and post-treatment. Data were analyzed statistically (α = 0.05). RESULTS: In the Active group: the collagen-occupied area at baseline was 1.12 ± 0.09 × 106 μm 2 and increased by +19.6% ( p < .001) at 1-month and by +26.3% ( p < .001) 2 months post-treatment; elastin-occupied area at baseline was 0.11 ± 0.03 × 106 μm 2 and increased by +75.9% ( p < .001) at 1-month and +110.8% ( p < .001) at 2-months follow-up. No significant changes ( p > .05) found in the Control samples. CONCLUSION: Collagen and elastin fiber content increased significantly after treatments. Connective tissue in the treatment area was denser up to 2-months post-treatment.

Carol Davila University Bucharest Romania

Department of Dermatology Colentina Clinical Hospital Bucharest Romania

Dermatology and Laser Center Landau in der Pfalz Germany

Skin Care Physicians of Georgia Macon Georgia

Veterinary Research Institute Brno Czechia

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