Beauty at the fingertips: Home-based radiofrequency devices might be more effective than anti-ageing cosmetics

The finding was highlighted in a randomised, split-face clinical trial​ titled “Effectiveness of a Radiofrequency Device for Rejuvenation of Aged Skin at Home: A Randomized Split-Face Clinical Trial”​ published in the journal Dermatology and Therapy.

“With the aging population and their consumption demands, approaches to reduce skin aging have gained significant attention. For decades, there has been an ongoing discussion on the optimal treatment of skin aging. Radiofrequency (RF) is an important ablation method and has become a popular means of rejuvenation, prevention of regional fat loss and contour restoration,” ​wrote the researchers.

To test their hypothesis, the team analysed the skins of 32 healthy Chinese women aged between 35 and 60 years with crow’s feet in a randomised, controlled, split-faced trial over 12 weeks. Five repeated measurements were done, and the subjects also agreed to actively avoid sunlight exposure during the trial.

One side of the subject’s face would be randomly selected to be “the experimental side” and treated with the RF beauty device by the team, while the other was considered as control and treated with an anti-ageing cosmetic.

The anti-ageing cosmetic contained aqua, glycerol, nicotinamide, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, Ceratonia siliqua​ (carob) fruit extract, sodium hyaluronate and tocopheryl acetate. The RF device was used with a gel containing various ingredients like glycerin, vitamin A palmitate, tocopherol, sodium hyaluronate, ceramide 6 II, Aloe barbadensis​ leaf extract, Salix alba​ bark extract, Chrysanthellum indicum​ extract and Perilla ocymoides​ leaf extract.

The outcomes were measured using facial and neck signs, such as forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, the density of pigment spots, and ptosis. Lower scores correspond to better skin. The participants also had to undergo self-evaluation.

Findings​

For crow’s feet, on the experimental facial side (with the usage of the RF device), the average roughness showed a statistically significant decrease after the second, fourth, eighth and 12^th​ week.

As for skin hydration, the mean values increased on both sides after the fourth, eighth and 12^th​ week of treatment, but there was no significant difference between the two sides after treatment.

Skin radiance by gloss value of light reflectance was measured using a Glossymeter GL200, with statistical improvements observed on both sides at the same timings. However, there was a significant increase in the experimental side compared to the control side.

Explaining the results, the researchers showed that 12 weeks of continuous use of the cosmetics increased skin moisture content and radiance, improved wrinkles and reduced colour spots. However, wrinkles, stains and skin thickness improved more on the device side than on the control side.

Although the gel on the device side contains more active ingredients than the cosmetic, the gel was only applied to the area when the device was used and washed off immediately after use. The purpose of the gel was to achieve even heat conduction.

“In the future, it is essential to ensure that home beauty devices are sufficiently safe to protect consumers, and their effectiveness should be fully evaluated. In addition, future studies should include long-term follow-up to investigate the long-term efficacy of home beauty devices and the persistence of their effects,”​ concluded the researchers.

The firm Ecolite Wellbeing (GD) provided the home RF beauty devices for the study and funded the journal’s Rapid Service Fee.

Source: ​Dermatology and Therapy

“Effectiveness of a Radiofrequency Device for Rejuvenation of Aged Skin at Home: A Randomized Split-Face Clinical Trial”​

DOI:​ 10.1007/s13555-022-00697-y

Authors: ​Shu Xiaohong, et al​.