July/August, 2016
From The Aesthetic Guide – by Kevin A. Wilson
With its precise, temperature-controlled fractional radiofrequency (RF) delivery system, the Profound platform from Syneron Candela (Irvine, Calif.) revitalizes skin by uniquely stimulating the production of new collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. The addition of the new SubQ handpiece adds versatility and value to an already impressive device that demonstrated a 100% response rate for wrinkles and 95% response rate for skin laxity in a 2013 clinical trial.1
“By delivering RF energy in a fractional manner directly into the reticular dermis using an array of paired microneedle electrodes, we are without a doubt hitting the exact target region,” said Julene Samuels, M.D., a plastic surgeon in Louisville, Ky. “The real time in-tissue temperature feedback allows us to quickly and safely reach the clinically proven ideal temperature targets and maintain them for the scientifically determined timeframe for best results.”
As David Kent, M.D., a dermatologist and medical director of Dermatologic Surgery Specialists in Macon, Ga. expressed, “Profound is vastly different from ablative fractional laser resurfacing or other RF devices. It is the only RF fractional microneedling device proven to create elastin. Additionally, unlike lasers and other RF devices that create a primarily catabolic injury, which first breaks down collagen, Profound fractional RF causes an anabolic wound healing response, which is like a slowly building fire that stimulates the neocollagenesis, neoelastinogenesis and the production of hyaluronic acid. I’ve been very pleased with it and my patients have been, too.”
According to Dr. Samuels, the feedback mechanism features both temperature and impedance monitoring; readings are taken ten times per second within tissue at the treatment site rather than from external monitoring or other means. “We want to control heat to achieve and maintain the maximum safe temperature targets, but also the electrical current flow, which depends on impedance of local tissue,” she explained. “Different tissue types have varying impedance, so by sensing changes the current flow between electrode pairs is as consistent as can be. This allows precision in the physical location as well as consistency of energy delivery, temperature of tissue, and the time we maintain therapeutically relevant temperature levels.”
With the new SubQ handpiece this same powerful and precise fractional RF delivery mechanism is employed for subcutaneous fat, especially on the neck or jowls, to further craft a more youthful visage. Dr. Kent was involved in clinical trials with the SubQ handpiece. As he explained, “The needles enter the skin at a 75° angle, rather than the 25° angle of the dermal handpiece, and penetrate to the adipose tissue. Precise, controlled energy deposition causes the anabolic wound healing response that seems to persist for quite some time, so as with the dermal handpiece the onset of outcomes takes time. Patients may not easily discern their result because it is so gradual, but when we show them comparison pictures their jaws drop. This new handpiece is very operator friendly, the anesthetic technique is very simple, treatment duration is short, and therapy is quite tolerable. There is no post-procedure pain with only minimal swelling and rapid return to normal activity.”
Reference:
1. Alexiades-Armenakas M, Newman J, Willey A, Kilmer S, et al. Prospective multicenter clinical trial of a minimally invasive temperature-controlled bipolar fractional radiofrequency system for rhytids and laxity treatment. Dermatol Surg 2013;39 (2):263-73.
