A Novel Variable-Pulse Monopolar RF Mode Selectively Targets the Upper Dermis to Improve Barrier Dysfunction in Sensitive Skin.
6 affiliations
- 1Clinical Development Team, Cynosure Lutronic Inc., Goyang, Korea.
- 2Departments of Biochemistry and Convergence Medical Science, and Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
- 3Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea.
- 4Department of Dermatology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 5Departments of Biochemistry and Convergence Medical Science, and Institute of Medical Science, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea. [email protected].
- 6Department of Dermatology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Sensitive skin is a multifactorial condition characterized by impaired epidermal barrier function, neurosensory hyperreactivity, and inflammatory dysregulation, affecting approximately 40%-50% of adults worldwide. Despite its high prevalence, effective therapeutic options remain limited.Objective
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel 6.78 MHz monopolar radiofrequency (RF) pulse pattern for improving both subjective symptoms and objective barrier function parameters in patients with sensitive skin.Methods
In this prospective pilot study, ten adults with sensitive skin underwent 2 sessions of shallow mode monopolar RF treatment at 4-week intervals. Assessments were performed at baseline, week 4, and week 8, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH), erythema index (EI), sebum production, melanin index (MI), and patient-reported symptom scores. Safety was assessed throughout the study. In parallel, a murine model was treated using identical shallow mode parameters to evaluate epidermal remodeling, collagen regeneration, and barrier-related molecular markers.Results
All participants completed the study without serious adverse events. TEWL significantly decreased at weeks 4 and 8 compared with baseline (p<0.001), while SCH, EI, and sebum levels showed significant improvement. Patient-reported symptom scores decreased from 65.57±5.49 at baseline to 41.91±4.66 at week 4, representing a 36.1% reduction (p<0.001). Only mild, transient erythema was observed. Preclinical analysis demonstrated epidermal thickening, enhanced collagen remodeling, and upregulation of barrier-related markers.Conclusion
Shallow-mode monopolar RF treatment improved subjective symptoms and objective barrier-related parameters in sensitive skin with excellent tolerability, supported by preclinical findings of upper-dermal remodeling.
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BibTeX
@article{ryu2026novel,
title = {{A Novel Variable-Pulse Monopolar RF Mode Selectively Targets the Upper Dermis to Improve Barrier Dysfunction in Sensitive Skin.}},
author = {Hye Guk Ryu and Yeonghyeon Kong and Sangjune Kim and Sang Yeon Kim and Young-Jun Choi and Wanil Kim and Won-Serk Kim},
journal = {Annals of dermatology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.5021/ad.26.023},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42845205},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A Novel Variable-Pulse Monopolar RF Mode Selectively Targets the Upper Dermis to Improve Barrier Dysfunction in Sensitive Skin.
AU - Hye Guk Ryu
AU - Yeonghyeon Kong
AU - Sangjune Kim
AU - Sang Yeon Kim
AU - Young-Jun Choi
AU - Wanil Kim
AU - Won-Serk Kim
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Annals of dermatology
DO - 10.5021/ad.26.023
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42845205
AB - Background Sensitive skin is a multifactorial condition characterized by impaired epidermal barrier function, neurosensory hyperreactivity, and inflammatory dysregulation, affecting approximately 40%-50% of adults worldwide. Despite its high prevalence, effective therapeutic options remain limited.Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel 6.78 MHz monopolar radiofrequency (RF) pulse pattern for improving both subjective symptoms and objective barrier function parameters in patients with sensitive skin.Methods In this prospective pilot study, ten adults with sensitive skin underwent 2 sessions of shallow mode monopolar RF treatment at 4-week intervals. Assessments were performed at baseline, week 4, and week 8, including transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH), erythema index (EI), sebum production, melanin index (MI), and patient-reported symptom scores. Safety was assessed throughout the study. In parallel, a murine model was treated using identical shallow mode parameters to evaluate epidermal remodeling, collagen regeneration, and barrier-related molecular markers.Results All participants completed the study without serious adverse events. TEWL significantly decreased at weeks 4 and 8 compared with baseline (p<0.001), while SCH, EI, and sebum levels showed significant improvement. Patient-reported symptom scores decreased from 65.57±5.49 at baseline to 41.91±4.66 at week 4, representing a 36.1% reduction (p<0.001). Only mild, transient erythema was observed. Preclinical analysis demonstrated epidermal thickening, enhanced collagen remodeling, and upregulation of barrier-related markers.Conclusion Shallow-mode monopolar RF treatment improved subjective symptoms and objective barrier-related parameters in sensitive skin with excellent tolerability, supported by preclinical findings of upper-dermal remodeling.
SN - 1013-9087
SN - 2005-3894
ER -