The effect of unipolar radiofrequency and fractional CO2 laser on hyaluronic acid fillers in a rat model / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To observe the effect of monopolar radiofrequency(RF) and fractional CO2 laser on the filler hyaluronic acid (HA) injected subcutaneously in rats.@*Methods@#Five circular areas with a diameter of 2 cm at the dorsum of each rat were prepared for different treatment randomly: (1)HA injection group(HA). (2)HA injection+ fractional CO2 laser treatment group(HA+ CO2). (3)HA injection+ radiofrequency treatment group(HA+ RF). (4)0.9%NaCl+ fractional CO2 laser treatment group(NaCl+ CO2). (5)0.9%NaCl+ radiofrequency treatment group(NaCl+ RF). The volume of HA in group 1, 3, 4 were determined via MRI with reconstruction of Mimics Research X 17.0 before or 1, 3, 6, 12 months after photoelectric treatment. The rates of absorption of each time point and duration were calculated.@*Results@#The mass of HA could be even recognized 12 months after treatment macroscopicly. Inflamatory cell infiltration and fibring were observed around HA in HA, HA+ RF, HA+ CO2 group within 1 month. The fibrous capsule formed around HA, which was enhanced by RF and CO2 laser therapy since 3 months post therapy. There was no significant difference of volume of HA among the three groups before photoelectric treatment. There was significant difference of HA volume on 12 months post treatment, HA(311.90±52.59) μl, HA+ RF(404.80±64.29) μl, HA+ CO2(357.60±59.10) μl(P<0.01). The volume of HA received RF treatment degraded more slowly. The rate of HA absorption during 3-6 months post treatment was significantly lower than that of 6-12 months post treatment(P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Fractional CO2 laser and radiofrequency do not increase the degradation of HA. On the contrary, they may prolong the duration of HA injected subcutaneously in rat.