The Analgesic Effect of Forced Air Cooling During High-Intensity, High-Frequency, Parallel Ultrasound Beams Treatment
Shasha Zhao1, Congqi Shi, Meng Wang
1All authors are affiliated with the Department of Dermatology, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Background:
The high-intensity parallel beam ultrasound device is clinically safe and effective for skin tightening. Mild to moderate pain during treatment is frequently reported, which may impact patient satisfaction and retention.
Objective:
This study aims to evaluate the analgesic effects of forced air cooling during treatment with the novel ultrasound device.
Methods:
A prospective, randomized controlled trial involving 20 healthy participants was conducted. A combination of forced air cooling and topical anesthetics was randomly applied to one side of the arm, while topical anesthetic monotherapy was applied to the other. The visual analog scale was utilized to measure pain sensation immediately after treatment. In addition, the abdomens of Bama miniature pigs were treated under varying energy settings. Histologic changes were examined immediately and 6 weeks post-treatment.
Results:
The mean pain scores for combined and single regimens were 6.58 (±1.59) and 4.64 (±1.62), respectively ( p < .001). Forced air cooling effectively reduces the pain with minimal complications. Histologic analysis indicated that the temperature reduction at the skin's surface does not affect collagen remodeling.
Conclusion:
The combination of forced air cooling and topical anesthesia effectively relieves pain during treatment with the high-intensity parallel beam ultrasound device.
