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Article
Quantitative evaluation of skin shrinkage associated with non-invasive skin tightening: a simple method for reproducible linear measurement using microtattoos
Department of Biostatistics Faculty Publications
  • Murad Alam, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Marisa Pongprutthipan, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Shivani Nanda, Henry Ford Health System
  • Natalie A. Kim, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Jillian H. Swary, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Wanjarus Roongpisuthipong, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Arielle N. Kauvar, Division of Pulmonary
  • Alexandra Weil, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Sanjana Iyengar, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Brian R. Chen, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Jelena Vasic, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Amanda Maisel, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Dennis P. West, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Michael Nodzenksi, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Emir Veledar, Emory University School of Medicine
  • Emily Poon, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Date of this Version
6-1-2019
Document Type
Article
Abstract

Non-invasive skin-tightening devices can induce thermal denaturation and skin shrinkage via externally applied radiofrequency emissions or high-frequency ultrasound. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop and test a method for measurement of skin reduction associated with application of such energy devices. Twenty-five healthy participants with mild to moderate skin laxity of the arms were enrolled. Pinpoint microtattoos were placed at each of the treatment sites to delineate two 6 × 12 cm rectangles per subject. A non-stretchable filament, tape and marking pen apparatus was used to measure the size of each rectangle before treatment and at follow-up visit by two blinded investigators. After randomization, one side received a single pass with a radiofrequency device (6.78 MHz), while the contralateral side received multiple passes. Participants underwent two treatment sessions to each side 2 weeks apart, and returned for follow-up 4 weeks after the second treatment. Length and area measurement were analyzed to assess precision and accuracy of measurements and to compare efficacy of treatment between pre- and post-treatment. Concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) demonstrated substantial inter-investigator reliability and precision in length measurements (CCC, 0.94 to 0.98 in pre-treatment; 0.95 to 0.98 in post-treatment). Measurements at the 6-week post-treatment follow-up demonstrated a statistically significant skin reduction in all six of the measured parameters. A simple skin measurement method requiring minimal instrumentation can quantitatively evaluate skin shrinkage associated with non-invasive skin-tightening devices.

Citation Information
Murad Alam, Marisa Pongprutthipan, Shivani Nanda, Natalie A. Kim, et al.. "Quantitative evaluation of skin shrinkage associated with non-invasive skin tightening: a simple method for reproducible linear measurement using microtattoos" (2019)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/emir-veledar/416/