ArticleAesthetic surgery journal2025
Effect of Synchronized Radiofrequency and High-Intensity Facial Electrical Stimulation (HIFES) of the Upper Face.
Article in Aesthetic surgery journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Efficacy and Safety of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation for Improving Clinical Signs of Facial Skin Aging.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2026Trial
- Impact of High-Intensity Facial Electrical Stimulation Technology on Elevation of the Midface: A Prospective Study With Ultrasound.Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundEffects of upper facial aging can present as static forehead and periorbital rhytids as well as soft tissue volume loss. The latter can occur in conjunction with bony changes of the calvarial eyebrow and eyelid ptosis. Injection-based treatments can yield positive outcomes but are not free of procedural risks.
objectivesThe goal of this study was to assess the clinical outcome of synchronized radiofrequency (RF) and high-intensity facial electrical stimulation (HIFES) when targeting the upper face, with special focus on effects on the musculature, subcutaneous fatty layer, and eyebrow position.
methodsThis nonrandomized, prospective study included 37 patients with a mean age of 45.46 years and a mean BMI of 21.84 kg/m2. Patients received 4 synchronized RF and HIFES treatments spaced 7 days apart. Efficacy measurements were taken at 4, 16, and 24 weeks posttreatment with 3-dimensional surface imaging, surface electromyography (EMG), and high-resolution facial ultrasound.
resultsForehead and lateral canthal line severity showed statistically significant improvement at each follow-up visit when compared to baseline, all P < .001. At week 24, the position of the medial/central/lateral eyebrow increased by 3.18/3.02/2.27 mm, respectively, when compared to baseline, with P < .001. At week 24, no statistically significant changes were observed in the thickness of frontalis muscle or the overlying fatty layer.
conclusionsThe application of synchronized RF and HIFES to the frontal region reduced frontal and lateral canthal rhytids and elevated the position of the eyebrow until week 24 after the initial treatment. Based on the results obtained, this noninvasive energy-based treatment option may be a viable alternative to injectable treatments of the upper face when trying to ameliorate the signs of upper facial aging. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 (THERAPEUTIC):
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