Fractional bipolar radiofrequency (FRF) has been well established for facial rejuvenation, but there is no report showing its efficacy for the treatment of suborbital wrinkles. The aim of this study was to investigate and objectively evaluate the clinical efficacy and side effects of FRF for the treatment of suborbital wrinkles, including observation of histological changes of the suborbital skin along the therapy. Thirty-two female patients with suborbital wrinkles underwent three sessions of FRF at 3-week intervals with a follow-up period of 6 months after treatment. Two independent dermatologists with standardized photographs evaluated improvement grade. Most patients improved according to photographic assessments and the differences between results at 1 and 6 months were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The median score of pain rated by patients using a visual analog scale (0-10 points) was 4.4 ± 1.2. Most patients rated themselves as satisfied (68.8%) and very satisfied (9.4%). Ten subjects (31.3%) experienced hyperpigmentation in 24 of all together 96 treatments (25.0%). Skin biopsies of three patients were routinely obtained, processed, and stained, and the histological changes had shown that 1-month after the end of the treatment, both the collagen and normal elastic fibers increased in accordance with the clinical efficacy. The study suggested that FRF is a safe and effective method to treat suborbital wrinkles.
Keywords: facial rejuvenation; fractional bipolar radiofrequency; suborbital wrinkles.