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Published on: January 19, 2024
Treatment of Malar Festoons With Radiofrequency Microneedling
Background:
Festoons are vexing, both to the patients that have them and to the surgeons who treat them. Radiofrequency microneedling (RFM) has been used with success for various cosmetic treatments and has been identified as a treatment option for festoons, despite limited data.
Objectives:
In this study, we aimed to critically review the use and efficacy of RFM in the treatment of festoons in a large cohort of patients.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort photographic analysis of 43 patients treated with RFM for festoons between January 2017 and August 2023 was performed. Preprocedural and postprocedural photographs were examined by a team of facial plastic surgeons and a group of laypeople. Reviewers were asked to compare the photographs and report festoon grade, improvement in undereye skin quality and lower lid steatoblepharon, and lower eyelid position. The reviewers were blinded to pretreatment and posttreatment photographs.
Results:
The mean pretreatment and posttreatment festoon scores when evaluated by surgeons and by laypeople had a statistically significant decrease posttreatment. Surgeons and laypeople noted an improvement in undereye skin quality in 41% and 60% of cases, respectively, and in lower lid steatoblepharon in 43% and 63% of cases, respectively.
Conclusions:
This is the largest study to date on the use of RFM for the treatment of festoons. RFM is a safe, effective, and noninvasive means of improving festoons and should be considered to manage mild or moderate festoons. It also may have benefits for undereye skin quality and steatoblepharon.
Level Of Evidence: 4 (Therapeutic):
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