Novel Approach to Facial Rejuvenation by Treating Cutaneous and Soft Tissue for Wrinkles Reduction: First Experience from Multicenter Clinical Trial.

Background: Facial aging is determined by skin quality and the condition of underlying muscles, which contribute to the overall appearance by lifting heavy facial structures. Objective: This study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of the novel radiofrequency (RF) and high-intensity facial muscle stimulation (HIFES) technology for treating wrinkles by facial tissue remodeling. Methods: This trial assessed the 3-month data of 24 subjects seeking facial wrinkles treatment. All subjects received four treatments, with a device utilizing RF and HIFES. The evaluation included a two-dimensional photographs assessment according to the Fitzpatrick Wrinkle and Elastosis Scale (FWES) and a three-dimensional (3D) photograph analysis for facial appearance. Therapy comfort and subject satisfaction were assessed. Results: Based on the data of 24 subjects (56.5 ± 2.0 years, skin types I-IV), the significant improvement increased up to 3 months (-2.3 points, p < 0.001) post-treatment. 3D photographs analysis documented notable cutaneous and structural rejuvenation and coincided with FWES evaluation, underlining the positive subjective appreciation of the results with 20.4% average wrinkle reduction at 1 month, further increasing to 36.6% wrinkle reduction at 3 months. Conclusion: Documented by both subjective and objective evaluation tools, the RF and HIFES procedure for facial rejuvenation was found to be effective for treatment of wrinkles and skin texture. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05519124.

Spot Reduction of Localized Fat Deposits on the Lateral Thighs by Simultaneous Emission of Synchronized Radiofrequency and High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Energy: Magnetic Resonance Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Unwanted lateral fat most prominently affects the female population and may cause self-esteem issues. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of synchronized high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) + radiofrequency (RF) for the treatment of lateral thigh adipose tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-three subjects (21-70 year old) received 4, 30-minute HIFEM + RF treatments of the lateral thighs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the treated area was obtained at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment to document the changes in fat layer thickness. Furthermore, digital photographs, circumference measurements of the lateral thighs, subjects' satisfaction questionnaires, and therapy safety and comfort were documented. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a significant reduction of fat tissue in the saddlebag region peaking at 3 months (-18 ± 5.5 mm; N = 51). The thigh circumference measured at 3 predefined levels decreased on average by 2.3 cm, with the greatest change at the level of 10 cm below the infragluteal fold (-3.5 cm, 3-month follow-up). Results were maintained at 6 months. No adverse events were recorded. The therapy was found comfortable with a high satisfaction rate. CONCLUSION: High-intensity focused electromagnetic + RF treatment to the lateral thigh area demonstrated effectiveness in long-term fat thickness reduction by MRI imaging. Secondary endpoint showed simultaneous effectiveness and safety.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Topical Platelet Exosomes for Skin Rejuvenation: Six-Week Results.

BACKGROUND: Exosomes are regenerative mediators for skin rejuvenation. Human platelet extract (HPE) is an allogeneic exosome product derived from US-sourced, leukocyte-reduced apheresed platelets with consistent purity and potency. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to better characterize the safety and tolerability of novel HPE (plated) Intensive Repair Serum (Rion Aesthetics, Rochester, MN) and its maximal effects on skin rejuvenation at 6 weeks. METHODS: This prospective, single-arm, non-randomized, longitudinal study investigated the safety and efficacy of HPE. Structured sub-analysis evaluated multifactorial improvement in skin health following standardized skin care regimen to determine the maximal effect. Evaluation at baseline and 6 weeks included participant questionnaires and photo documentation with VISIA-CR Generation 5 3D PRIMOS (Canfield Scientific Inc, Fairfield, NJ). RESULTS: VISIA-CR imaging yielded quantifiable and statistically significant improvements in overall skin health (skin health score). A greater score correlated to greater overall skin health, and there was a statistically significant mean delta improvement of 224.2 ± 112.8 (mean ± standard deviation, P ≤ 0.0001) in skin health score at 6 weeks compared with baseline. This correlated to reduction in redness, wrinkles, and melanin production across all cosmetic units (P = 0.005, P = 0.0023, P ≤ 0.0001, respectively) and significant improvements in luminosity and color evenness (P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A topically applied platelet-derived exosome product, HPE, induced normalization to skin health at 4 to 6 weeks with improved various clinical measures of facial photodamage and cutaneous aging. It is safe, well-tolerated, and well-liked by participants.

Activation of Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells by a Device Simultaneously Applying High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic Technology and Novel RF Technology: Fluorescent Microscopy Facilitated Detection of NCAM/CD56.

BACKGROUND: Myosatellite cells are myogenic stem cells that can transform to provide nuclei for existing muscles or generate new muscle fibers as documented after extended exercise programs. OBJECTIVES: The authors investigated whether the simultaneous application of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) and Synchrode radiofrequency (RF) affects the levels of satellite cells similarly as the prolonged exercise does to achieve muscle growth. METHODS: Three 30-minute simultaneous HIFEM and Synchrode RF treatments (once a week) were administered over the abdominal area of 5 Large White swine aged approximately 6 months. All animals were anesthetized during the treatments and biopsy acquisition. Biopsies of muscle tissue were collected at baseline, 4 days, 2 weeks, and 1 month post-treatment. After binding the specific antibodies, the NCAM/CD56 levels, a marker of activated satellite cells, were quantified employing the immunofluorescence microscopy technique with a UV lamp. RESULTS: Examined slices showed a continuous increase in satellite cell levels throughout the study. Four days after the treatment, we observed a 26.1% increase in satellite cells, which increased to 30.2% at 2-week follow-up. Additional histological analysis revealed an increase in the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers and the signs of newly formed fibers of small diameters at 2 weeks after the treatment. No damage to muscle tissue and no adverse effects related to the treatment were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the simultaneous application of HIFEM and novel Synchrode RF treatment can initiate differentiation of satellite cells to support the growth of existing muscles and, presumably, even the formation of new myofibers.

Exosomes: A New Effective Non-Surgical Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia?

Exosome therapy is a promising new approach for the treatment of hair loss. Current treatments for androgenetic alopecia, the most common form of hair loss, fall short of providing satisfactory efficacy with minimal side effects; thus, the fact that exosome therapy delivers impressive hair growth with no reported adverse events makes this therapy an attractive avenue to be explored; nevertheless, due to the novelty of this treatment, clinical trials to confirm its efficacy and safety are lacking. The current state of knowledge that is publicly available on the efficacy of exosome therapy for treatment of hair loss is reviewed, and the potential of exosomes as an alternate therapy for hair restoration is discussed.

Mechanism of nonthermal induction of apoptosis by high-intensity focused electromagnetic procedure: Biochemical investigation in a porcine model.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have reported adipose tissue reduction after the application of the High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) field technology, yet cellular level evidence of the mechanisms has remained scarce. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to verify or refute previous single-study histological evidence and further investigates the proposed mechanism of apoptotic induction. METHODS: The thigh of two Large White pigs was treated with HIFEM for 30 minutes. Fat punch biopsies were collected from the application area before, immediately after, and 8 hours post-treatment. Control samples were taken from the abdomen immediately after and 8 hours post-treatment. Samples were analyzed for pro-apoptotic DNA markers (BAX, BCL-2, TXNIP, MMP9, TNF-α), the levels of free fatty acids (FFA), and the pH levels of the adipose tissue. RESULTS: The levels of FFA in the treated adipose tissue increased on average by 127.1% immediately post-treatment and by 134.1% 8 hours post-treatment, indicating a rapid breakdown of lipids. The average recorded adipose pH changed from 7.30 ± 0.12 at baseline to 6.60 ± 0.07 immediately post-treatment (P = .001) and to 7.19 ± 0.12 8 hours post-treatment. The levels of BAX, TXNIP, MMP9, and TNF-α increased post-treatment while BCL-2 decreased. Control samples showed constant levels of pH and pro-apoptotic markers. The FFAs in the control samples were increased by 41.6%-51.4%. CONCLUSION: The changes in the levels of the pro-apoptotic markers conformed to the previously reported elevated fat apoptosis post-HIFEM treatments. These effects were accompanied by an increase in FFA levels, and by reduced pH levels, due to the increased acidity in the adipose tissue. Further research is required to explore the potential of nonthermal induction of apoptosis.

Medium depth peels.

Medium depth chemical peels offer an excellent tool for skin rejuvenation. The improvement in rhytids, dyschromias, and photodamage with relatively little downtime confirms its importance in the facial plastic armamentarium.