Materials and instrumentation
bipolar
SKIN
Treatment was performed by using a non‐ablative bipolar RF device (Modula RF, Wavemed, San Cesareo, RM, Italy), equipped with a bipolar electrode, oscillating its polarity at the frequency of 450‐470 kHz. The energy was delivered by pressing with back‐and‐forth movements, the bipolar tip across the selected skin face areas. Before the treatment, skin moisturizing milk and tonic lotion were applied to clean and prepare the skin to the electric treatment. Then, the area to be treated was covered by conventional ultrasound gel (Eco Supergel, Ceracarta, Italy). The Med‐RF system was used at a relative power % (RP %) ranging from 30% to 50% (maximum power value permitted by the bipolar tip is 9 W). Skin parameters were measured using the Skin Tester System (Selenia, Italy).Skin Tester is a new device originally planned and validated by our group, including important advancements in comparison with currently available skin analyzers in the dermatological area for diagnostic and qualitative analysis of the face skin. It analyzes several skin parameters to monitor pre‐ and post‐treatment variations.An ultrasound emitted beam is reflected by the dermal tissues, according to its stromal density and vascular tone.Furthermore, impedance variation related to intracellular and interstitial water content and photoplethysmography, a reflectometric method to evaluate vascular network dynamics, are included in the diagnostic device. Thus, the following skin parameters are detected:
total and intracellular water to correctly evaluate hydration;extracellular water and water retention to detect tissue fluid engulfment and drain impairment;skin pH, related to sebaceous and sweat glands secretion;thickness of horny layer;sebum epidermic concentration;skin elasticity and tonicity parameters, related to elastin, collagen and GAGs imbalance;skin reflexology;vascular network adaptations.The Skin tester works and records the operative data through a touch screen display, which has a flat transducer to be applied over the skin surface and requires a gel film to achieve ultrasound delivery.Analysis results are printed on a ticket with the reference values, so the doctor and patient can save the records of the cosmetic treatment variations.