Effects of Bipolar Radiofrequency on Collagen Synthesis from Patients with Brachial Ptosis

Radiofrequency is frequently used for skin rejuvenation, localized fat elimination and cellulite treatment. It prompts the expression of thermal shock proteins that lead to dermal thickening as a result of collagen synthesis. The authors report a histological and clinical analysis of the arm subdermal changes before and after bipolar radiofrequency treatment plus liposuction to determine their benefits for arm contouring.

Inclusion criteria included patients with stage 1, 2a, and 2b brachial ptosis (Duncan classification) and upper limb fat deposits who were considered candidates for third-generation ultrasound-assisted liposculpture plus radiofrequency-assisted lipolysis/skin tightening. Arm subdermal tissue samples (5 mm³) were analyzed before and after the intervention. We used 10% formaldehyde for tissue fixation and stained each sample with hematoxylin/eosin, Masson trichrome, and antibody markers against the cell cycle Ki-67 protein.

We analyzed a total of 12 biopsies from six patients who meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Histological findings with hematoxylin/eosin revealed hyperplastic and metaplastic changes with focal distribution within the papillary and reticular dermis. Masson trichrome staining showed an increase of the characteristic basophilia of thin type-I and type-III collagen fibers. In contrast, molecular analysis reported an increase in fibroblast activity mediated by the activation of the heat shock protein HSP47.

Radiofrequency may be a great alternative to improve skin retraction in patients with mild to moderate brachial dermatochalasis through the activation of HSP47 heat shock protein and the production of type-I and type-III collagen.