Electrosurgical resurfacing: a clinical, histologic, and electron microscopic evaluation.

Background: Radiofrequency resurfacing is a new technology for ablative facial resurfacing.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency resurfacing in reduction of perioral and periorbital rhytides, and to assess it's effects on collagen remodeling by electron microscopic evaluation.

Results: Fourteen of the fifteen subjects (93%) were 100% re-epithelialized by day 7. All 15 patients (100%) had resolution of post-treatment erythema by 3 months. Clinical investigator assessment evaluation revealed mild to moderate improvement in 100% of patients. Histologic changes were consistent with new upper papillary dermal collagen formation. Post-treatment ultrastuctural changes showed either new Type III or mature Type I collagen formation.

Conclusions: Radiofrequency resurfacing is an effective ablative resurfacing method for mild to moderate improvement of Fitzpatrick Type I-III rhytides. It is a low risk procedure with potentially shorter periods of post-operative re-epithelialization and erythema as compared to standard ablative laser procedures.