2 mins
Enhanced performance
It’s fair to say that 2021 was the year that saw RF microneedling treatments “take off”. Demand for this non-surgical aesthetic treatment is currently at an all-time high as patient awareness of the minimal-downtime technology and its treatment indications continue to grow.
We caught up with London-based Dr Tatiana Lapa and Rishi Mandavia to discuss how they have taken RF microneedling to the next level in their practice, using a new, multi-layered approach to advanced skin rejuvenation procedures.
WHY IS THERE SUCH DEMAND FOR COMBINED RF MICRONEEDLING AND CO2 LASER IN 2022?
Both microneedling RF and fractional CO2 laser have seen considerable success in treating a variety of indications such as laxity, rhytids, scars, stretch marks, pores, and pigmentation. 1,2 In recent years, we have seen that combination RF microneedling and fractional CO2 laser treatment offers a safe and effective way of treating these multiple concerns while also minimising downtime. 3.5
HOW DOES THE SECRET PRO WORK?
Secret PRO uses a safe, gentle CO2 skin-resurfacing application called Ultra- Light to solely target the epidermis while also utilising Secret RF’s microneedling technology to reach the sub-dermal layers. This dynamic duo is designed to deliver energy exactly where it is required, preventing unnecessary damage to the skin tissue and dramatically reducing downtime to closer to three to four days.
The combination of two state-of-the-art technologies within one platform allows us to treat our patients effectively by working at different depths of the skin: the CO2 laser gently targets the epidermis and improves the skin’s surface, while the microneedles penetrate sub-dermal layers to promote collagen production and stimulate the body’s own regenerative response.
WHAT SHOULD PATIENTS EXPECT DURING THE TREATMENT?
After the skin is thoroughly cleaned, we start with the RF microneedling. We typically use a 64-pin semi-insulated cartridge for skin types I-III and a 24-pin semi-insulated cartridge for skin types IV and V.
Usually, Secret RF treatments last between 20-45 minutes per session, during which RF energy is delivered at various depths in the skin with minimal damage to the upper layers of skin. This technology helps boost collagen production and accelerate the skin healing process for a firmer, more rejuvenated appearance.
Before moving on to the next section, we re-apply the anesthetic cream to the treated area, ensuring adequate anesthesia for the CO2 laser treatment. Typical laser settings would be 69mJ, 1.3mm density. We tend to do a single pass at the peripheries of the face but often do a double-pass across any scars, enlarged pores, anterior cheeks, and glabella region.
Results can sometimes be seen shortly after the first treatment, but optimal results will be seen after three months post final treatment.
Before and three months after one treatment of Secret PRO.
REFERENCES
1. Tan MG, Jo CE, Chapas A, et al. Radiofrequency microneedling: a comprehensive and critical review. Dermatol Surg 2021;47(6):755-61.
2. Alexiades-Armenakas M, Sarnoff D, Gotkin R, Sadick N. Multi-center clinical study and review of fractional ablative CO2 laser resurfacing for the treatment of rhytides, photoaging, scars and striae. J Drugs Dermatol 2011;10(4):352-62.
3. Sobhi RM, Mohamed IS, El Sharkawy DA, El Wahab MAEFA. Comparative study between the efficacy of fractional micro-needle radiofrequency and fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of striae distensae. Lasers Med Sci 2019;34(7):1295-1304.
5. Tatlıparmak A, Aksoy B, Shishehgarkhaneh LR, et al. Use of combined fractional carbon dioxide laser and fractional microneedle radiofrequency for the treatment of acne scars: A retrospective analysis of 1-month treatment outcome on scar severity and patient satisfaction. J Cosmet Dermatol 2020;19(1):115-21.
For more information visit cutera.co.uk/secretpro or email: info.uk@cutera.com