A combination trial of intradermal radiofrequency and hyaluronic acid filler for the treatment of nasolabial fold wrinkles: A pilot study

Background: Within the last few years, hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers and radiofrequency (RF) devices have shown significant promise for skin rejuvenation. But the effects of HA only lasted for a relatively short duration. Therefore, we tried a new combination therapy of intradermal RF and HA filler. Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of combination therapy of intradermal RF and HA filler for nasolabial fold (NLF) wrinkle reduction. Materials and methods: Ten Korean female volunteers with mild to severe NLFs were enrolled. In the control group, five subjects were treated with HA filler alone. In the experimental group, the other five subjects were treated with intradermal RF prior to HA filler. Efficacy was evaluated based on the change on the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) and the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) from baseline. Results: At 12 and 24 weeks after treatment, the experimental group showed significantly greater improvement in mean WSRS score compared to the control group. And two (40%) of the five patients in the experimental group achieved 'very much improved' and two (40%) showed 'much improved ' at 12 weeks after treatment. Conclusions: Intradermal RF treatment prior to HA filler injection may provide synergistic and long-lasting effects for the reduction of NLF wrinkles.