Effect of Hexa-Polar Radiofrequency on Abdominal Skin Laxity Post Weight Reduction in Obese Adolescent Females

Abstract

Aim of the study: This study was conducted to determine the effect of of hexa-polar radiofrequency on abdominal skin laxity post weight reduction in obese adolescent females. Subjects: Sixty overweight and obese adolescent females complaining of post weight reduction skin laxity participated in this study. They were selected randomly from Kasre El Ainy University Hospital in Cairo participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 17 to 21 years old. They were virgins. Their BMI were ranged from 25 to 35 kg/m². Design: The design of the study was a randomized controlled clinical trial. They were divided randomly into two equal groups; Group A (Control group): It was consisted of thirty adolescent females and were treated by tretinoin cream (Retin-A) on abdomen once every other day for 8 weeks. Group B (Study group): It was consisted of thirty adolescent females and were treated by tretinoin cream (Retin-A) on abdomen once every other day for 8 weeks in addition to  hexa-polar radiofrequency for 30-40 minutes/ session, 2 times/week for 8 weeks. Assessment: Pittsburgh rating scale was used to assess severity of abdominal skin laxity. Digital photography scale was used to assess percentage of improvement of skin laxity for all females in both groups (A&B) before and after treatment. Results: Results of this study found that; within groups; there was significant decrease in two point discrimination and Pittsburgh rating scale & significant increase in digital photography scale post treatment in both groups (A and B). Between groups; pretreatment; there was no significant difference between both groups (A and B) in two point discrimination, Pittsburgh rating scale and digital photography scale. While, post treatment; there was significant difference between both groups (A and B) in two point discrimination, Pittsburgh rating scale and digital photography scale (with favor of group B). Conclusion: So that, it could be concluded that hexa-polar radio frequency is an effective method in reducing abdominal skin laxity post weight reduction in obese adolescent females.