Efficacy and Safety of Using Noninsulated Microneedle Radiofrequency Alone versus in Combination with Polynucleotides for Treatment of Periorbital Wrinkles

Yuri Yogya; Rungsima Wanitphakdeedecha; Supisara Wongdama; Yanisorn Nanchaipruek; Chadakan Yan; Sarawalai Rakchart

doi:10.1007/s13555-022-00729-7

Efficacy and Safety of Using Noninsulated Microneedle Radiofrequency Alone versus in Combination with Polynucleotides for Treatment of Periorbital Wrinkles

Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022 May;12(5):1133-1145. doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00729-7. Epub 2022 Apr 30.

Authors

Yuri Yogya¹, Rungsima Wanitphakdeedecha², Supisara Wongdama¹, Yanisorn Nanchaipruek¹, Chadakan Yan¹, Sarawalai Rakchart³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Pran Nok Road, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
² Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Pran Nok Road, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand. rungsima.wan@mahidol.ac.th.
³ Innovative Skin and Laser Surgery (iSKY) Center, Bangkok, Thailand.

Abstract

Introduction: A few studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of noninsulated radiofrequency microneedling (RFMN) to treat periorbital wrinkles in Asian patients. Recently, wound healing accelerators, polynucleotides (PNs), have received attention in wound management. However, their efficacy and safety have not been fully elucidated following RFNM. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of noninsulated RFMN for periorbital wrinkles and the synergistic effect of PNs after RFMN.

Methods: Thirty subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types III to V and facial wrinkles (Fitzpatrick grades I and II) were enrolled. All volunteers were treated over the entire face with noninsulated RFMN for three sessions at 2-week intervals. The left and right sides of each patient's face were randomly assigned to receive PNs (treatment group) or normal saline solution (control group). The indentation and maximum depth of wrinkles were objectively measured using Antera 3D. Subjective self-evaluations were obtained at baseline, 2 weeks after the third treatment, and at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after the final treatment. In addition, pain scores, immediate reactions, and other adverse effects were evaluated.

Results: Twenty-nine subjects completed the treatment protocol. Most presented with grade II wrinkling (69%). At 2-month follow-up, Antera 3D image analysis revealed faster improvement for the treatment group. At 6-month follow-up, the majority of subjects reported an improvement of 25-75% in their periorbital wrinkles. The average pain score was 2.2 out of 10. No serious adverse events (infection, pigmentary alteration, persistent erythema, or scarring) were observed.

Conclusions: Noninsulated RFMN is safe and effective for treating periorbital wrinkles and can be used as a modality for transdermal drug delivery. Topical polynucleotides as an adjunctive treatment provide additional benefits for periorbital wrinkle treatment.

Trial registration number: TCTR20201105007.

Keywords: Microneedling; Periorbital wrinkles; Polynucleotides; Radiofrequency; Transdermal drug delivery.