COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF LASERS RADIOFREQUENCY IN SKIN REJUVENATION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71146/kjmr940Keywords:
Radiofrequency Microneedling, CO₂ laser, skin rejuvenationAbstract
Background: Skin rejuvenation treatments are now common, but there is still some confusion in daily practice about when to choose laser and when to choose radiofrequency, especially for people with darker skin types who may face more pigment problems and longer recovery after lasers.
Objective: This study compared the clinical efficacy and durability of laser versus radiofrequency treatments for facial skin rejuvenation.
Methods: In a randomized, participant‑blinded clinical trial, 60 adults with mild to moderate facial wrinkles and laxity were assigned to either CO₂ fractional laser or radiofrequency microneedling at aesthetic clinics in Lahore, Pakistan, with follow up for up to 4 to 6 months. Clinical outcomes were assessed using standardized clinical scoring, high‑resolution imaging, and validated scales including the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale and a visual analogue scale for patient satisfaction and symptoms.
Results: Both groups started with similar pretreatment scores (about 74) and showed statistically significant reductions in clinical scores after treatment (p < .001), confirming that each modality was effective for skin rejuvenation. However, the radiofrequency microneedling group showed a larger mean drop in clinical score (to about 19.7), a higher mean improvement percentage (around 73.8%), and greater patient satisfaction (mean about 87.7) compared with the CO₂ laser group, which showed smaller improvement (posttreatment mean about 40.2, improvement about 46.1%, satisfaction about 74.2).
Conclusion: Within this sample, both laser and radiofrequency improved facial wrinkles and skin texture, but radiofrequency microneedling offered greater clinical improvement, higher patient satisfaction, and a safety profile that fits comfortably across darker skin phototypes.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Attiya Iqbal, Rubab Raza, Abubakr Asghar, Aqsa Safdar (Author)
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