A Prospective Trial of the Microneedle Fractional Radiofrequency System Application in the Treatment of Infraorbital Dark Circles

Xianglei Wu,1,* Ying Liu,1,* Jiafang Zhu,1,* Wenxin Yu,1 Xiaoxi Lin1,2 1Department of Laser and Aesthetic Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Wenxin Yu; Xiaoxi Lin, Department of Laser and Aesthetic Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, Email 860382817@qq.com; kernelldz@sina.comBackground: Infraorbital dark circles (IDC) are commonly consulted in aesthetic practice. There is not yet a multifactorial approach to facilitating their treatment.Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of the microneedle fractional radiofrequency (MRF) system for the treatment of IDC.Methods: A prospective, split-face, evaluator-blind clinical trial was conducted to study the change in the overall appearance, color, and wrinkles in 21 female patients with mixed type IDC before and after MFR treatment.Results: Both patients and independent evaluators found significant improvement on the global aesthetic scales after the MFR treatment, especially on periorbital wrinkles (p=0.031). Trends in decreased melanin density in the IDC area were found, but no statistical differences were established. No side effects were observed.Conclusion: MFR is a safe and effective modality for improving mixed type IDC by correcting the structural factors.Keywords: infraorbital dark circles, microneedle fractional radiofrequency, radiofrequency, periorbital hyperpigmentation