BACKGROUND: Monopolar radiofrequency (mRF) devices have been shown to be clinically effective for treating aging skin, but there are few histologic studies about the mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: To histologically analyze chronologic and quantitative change in collagens after mRF treatment to determine the mechanisms of the antiaging effect. METHODS: Five patients were enrolled in this study. Skin specimens were taken before and 1 and 3 months after treatment. Immunostaining was performed to determine change in type I and III collagen levels and stem and other cell counts in skin layers. RESULTS: In all cases, both types of collagen significantly increased after irradiation in the dermis (p < .05), and their changes were noticed uniformly in all layers. No significant change was noticed in stem and other cell counts. CONCLUSIONS: This study histologically demonstrated that type I and III collagen increased significantly in the dermis after mRF treatment. The amount of stem cells did not affect the increase in collagens.
BACKGROUND: Monopolar radiofrequency (mRF) devices have been shown to be clinically effective for treating aging skin, but there are few histologic studies about the mechanisms. OBJECTIVE: To histologically analyze chronologic and quantitative change in collagens after mRF treatment to determine the mechanisms of the antiaging effect. METHODS: Five patients were enrolled in this study. Skin specimens were taken before and 1 and 3 months after treatment. Immunostaining was performed to determine change in type I and III collagen levels and stem and other cell counts in skin layers. RESULTS: In all cases, both types of collagen significantly increased after irradiation in the dermis (p < .05), and their changes were noticed uniformly in all layers. No significant change was noticed in stem and other cell counts. CONCLUSIONS: This study histologically demonstrated that type I and III collagen increased significantly in the dermis after mRF treatment. The amount of stem cells did not affect the increase in collagens.