Infini is a fractionated radiofrequency microneedling device and its skin tightening and rejuvenation results are widely published.
The dual benefits of radio frequency energy and microneedling are widely reported. This synergistic combination of technology has been reported to achieve three- dimensional tightening of the skin and reduce the appearance of pigmentation, wrinkles and laxity.
INFINI, from Lutronic and distributed in Australia by Advanced Cosmeceuticals, combines radiofrequency energy and microneedling to achieve significant results in skin rejuvenation, the improvement of photoaged skin and the treatment of acne scarring.
INFINI gives the practitioner complete control over treatment depth and energy levels, enabling a multi-layered, targeted and customisable approach.
Microneedling fractional radiofrequency (MFR) works by creating radiofrequency thermal zones without epidermal injury. This damage to the reticular dermis results in long-term dermal remodelling, neoelastogenesis, neocollagenogenesis and dermal thickening.
INFINI’s RF energy is delivered via insulated gold-coated microneedles to create controllable and fractionated coagulation zones within specific layers of the dermis. The level of control means INFINI can successfully treat all skin types, year round, with minimal risk of post- inflammatory hyper pigmentation.
Acne scarring
A study published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery evaluated results with MFR over a one-year period in 31 patients of skin type III-V with Grade 3 and 4 atrophic acne scars (as measured by Goodman and Baron’s acne scar grading system).
Each patient received four sequential fractional radiofrequency treatments over a six-month period with six weeks in between each treatment. The results were graded at the end of three months after the last session.
It found that 80.64 percent of patients showed improvement by two grades, and 19.35 percent showed improvement by one grade. With regards to quantitative assessment, the results showed that 58 percent of the patients had moderate improvement, 29 percent had minimal, nine percent had good and three percent showed very good improvement.
Axillary hyperhidrosis
Treatment with MFR has been shown to achieve effective results in the reduction of wrinkles, acne scarring and large pores. However, a recent study has shown that MRF energy can specifically affect the sweat glands, while also preserving the skin’s surface.
The study, Efficacy of Fractional Microneedle Radiofrequency Device in the Treatment of Primary Axillary Hyperhidrosis: A Pilot Study, enlisted 20 patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH) to have two sessions of bipolar MRF at four- week intervals. The results were measured using a Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) and photographs with a starch-iodine test were taken at every visit and two months after the last treatment.
HDSS scores decreased significantly from a baseline of 3.3 to 1.5 and 1.8 after the first and second months of post-treatment follow-up sessions, respectively (P < 0.001), according to the report.
In response to a subjective assessment at one month after the second treatment, 75 percent of patients had an HDSS score of 1 or 2, and 70 percent of patients expressed more than 50 percent of improvement in their sweating. The starch-iodine reaction was also remarkably reduced in 95 percent of patients after MRF treatment.
Histological measurements also showed a decrease in the number and size of apocrine and eccrine glands one month after the final treatment.
Periorbital rejuvenation
The combination of microneedling and radiofrequency energy has shown significant promise for improving both static and dynamic wrinkles around the eye area. In older patients particularly, prominent static wrinkles due to photoageing are less responsive to botulinum toxin alone. This is one area where the potential of MRF can be realised.
A recent study compared MFR therapy with intradermal botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) injections in periorbital rejuvenation. The study, published in Dermatology enrolled 12 women aged 20-59 in a split- faced trial.
The participants received one intradermal injection of BoNT/A on the left peri-orbital area and three sessions of MFR on the right.
Each MFR treatment was performed at a depth of 0.5mm to 80ms with a 150W (level 6) intensity for two passes.
Results were measured at baseline and at three, six and 18 weeks post treatment. Photos of both periorbital sides were taken using identical settings, and wrinkle grade and skin elasticity were evaluated.
The results showed all subjects achieved meaningful improvement in periorbital wrinkles with both treatments at final follow-up. On the BoNT/A injection side, the effect was remarkable at three and six weeks. On the MRF treatment side, the effect was unremarkable at three weeks, but showed gradual improvement at six weeks and at the final follow up.
While BoNT/A injection rapidly improved periorbital wrinkles, the effect decreased up to week 18. In comparison, MFR therapy improved wrinkles slowly but gradually, and the improvement remained with better patient satisfaction at 18 weeks. Further, the expression of procollagen 3 and elastin was increased at final follow-up on the MFR- treated side, but the BoNT/A injection side did not show neoelastogenesis or neocollagenesis.
Results suggest that MFR treatment can better regenerate collagen and elastic fibres compared to botulinum toxin and thus be effective for the rejuvenation of static wrinkles. AMP