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Background: Carboxytherapy (CA) refers to the cutaneous and subcutaneous administration of CO(2) for therapeutic purposes. Radiofrequency (RF) is a method that uses electric current for heating layers of the skin. Both techniques are indicated for the treatment of skin laxity., Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of CA and RF on human skin., Methods: After eight patients underwent abdominoplasty, each of them received a single treatment of CA and a single treatment of RF on the right and left infra-umbilical regions, respectively. In the infra-umbilical region, CA was performed on the right and RF was performed on the left side. Untreated skin was used as a control. The sample collection period lasted 120 days. CA was administered at a velocity of 40 mL/min, and the total quantity of CO(2) infused was approximately 20 mL. RF was carried out at a temperature higher than 40°C on the epidermis for 5 min., Results: CA and RF led to collagen remodeling; however, this result was more evident and lasted longer with RF. With CA an increase in elastic fibers was observed, whereas with RF no alteration was observed., Conclusion: Our results suggest that RF is more efficient than CA in stimulating collagen synthesis.

Background: Microdermabrasion is a surface treatment, noninvasive, which uses a negative pressure and drives programmable inert microcrystals on the skin, causing an exfoliation., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of application of microdermabrasion in human skin rejuvenation., Methods: Eleven women who were undergoing abdominoplasty were considered. An area of 25 cm² in the umbilicus to the right was conditioned with microcrystals of Al₂O₃ in maximum flow, negative pressure of 200 mmHg and total of 8 past, the left side being used as control. The number of sessions ranged from one to five, with weekly intervals, and timing of sample collection ranged from 0 to 132 days. Samples were fixed in 10% formaldehyde in phosphate buffer and were evaluated histologically., Results: A mild to marked hyperpigmentation was observed and remained for a variable period. Histological findings suggest an improvement in the epidermal layer with increased thickness and reestablishing their interdigitations in the dermis initially observed an increase in collagen synthesis. The analysis showed a late stay of epidermal changes, which did not occur in the dermis., Conclusion: Under the conditions and parameters used in this work, the microdermabrasion had a positive skin structure, showing that a viable resource in promoting skin rejuvenation.