Overview
Many patients with face and neck skin laxity prefer non-invasive treatment. The author describes a monopolar radiofrequency device with continuous skin cooling that delivers up to 140 W to the upper and middle skin layers and to the facial retaining ligaments. The protocol targets ligaments and fibrous septa in the face, under the chin and in the neck.
Findings
- Candidates: adults aged 35 or older with mild-to-moderate facial and/or neck sagging.
- Maximum energy 140 W, with continuous low-temperature skin cooling.
- 1,000 shots in one session across face, submental and neck regions.
- Delivered in a hashtag pattern with 50% overlap at energy levels 8-10.
- Reported observations: better skin thickness, texture, elasticity, face and neck contour, and fewer wrinkles, with minimal or no pain and high satisfaction.
- Repeat treatment is recommended after six months.
- For moderate and severe cases, the author recommends combining it with fillers or microfocused ultrasound.
- The abstract gives no patient numbers, measurements or follow-up data.
What it means for a patient
- This is a non-surgical treatment for mild-to-moderate face and neck sagging, done in one session.
- The author recommends repeating it after six months to keep results.
- For more advanced sagging, the author does not suggest it alone.
- Limits: a protocol description with clinical observations only. The abstract reports no number of patients, no measured results and no comparison group.
Why this paper matters
It describes a radiofrequency protocol aimed at the retaining ligaments and fibrous septa rather than skin alone. Its claims are not supported by data in the abstract.
Terms
- Monopolar radiofrequency: a device that sends electrical energy through tissue to heat it, using one treatment electrode.
- Retaining ligaments: fibrous bands that anchor facial soft tissue to deeper structures.
- Fibrous septa: thin fibrous walls that divide the fat under the skin.
- Dermis: the deeper layer of skin that contains collagen.
- Epidermal cooling: cooling of the skin surface to protect it from heat.
- Collagen remodeling: the breakdown and rebuilding of collagen in the skin.
- Microfocused ultrasound: focused ultrasound energy used to heat tissue under the skin.
- Laxity: looseness or sagging of skin.