Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41566557›Full record

Trial reportJournal of cosmetic dermatology2026

Radiofrequency Microneedling With 1927 nm Thulium Laser Versus Radiofrequency Microneedling Monotherapy for Rejuvenation of Photoaged Skin.

Lynhda Nguyen, Marco Blessmann, Stefan W Schneider, Katharina Herberger

Registry-linked trialAbstract readClinical TrialComparative Study
In one paragraph

Trial report in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06029725 (RFMN in Combination With 1927 nm Thulium Laser for Treating Photoaged Skin), which is not on this map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

NCT06029725 naunknown statusnot on this map

RFMN in Combination With 1927 nm Thulium Laser for Treating Photoaged Skin: a Prospective, Controlled Study

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversitätsklinikum Hamburg-EppendorfRan2023 to 2025Enrolled35ConditionsPhotoagingArmsradiofrequency microneedling combined with 1927 nm thulium laser, radiofrequency microneedling monotherapy
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Trial
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Lynhda NguyenDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1258-6390
Marco BlessmannDepartment of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Stefan W SchneiderDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4679-7137
Katharina HerbergerDepartment of Dermatology and Venereology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Funding

Cynosure Lutronic
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe combination of radiofrequency microneedling (RFMN) with fractional 1927 nm thulium (Tm) laser has gained popularity in clinical practice. However, comparative studies remain limited.

objectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined RFMN/Tm laser treatment versus RFMN alone for rejuvenation of photoaged skin of the lower face and neck area. MATERIAL AND

methodsA prospective, evaluator-blinded, clinical study. Patients were assigned to a combined protocol consisting of 1-3 RFMN treatment sessions immediately followed by Tm laser, supplemented by three additional Tm laser sessions at 6-8-week intervals. Study endpoints were compared with data from our previously published RFMN monotherapy cohort. Outcomes were assessed using validated clinical grading scales, computer-assisted analysis of submental volume, and a standardized color space system to quantify skin tone evening. Pain was assessed using a numeric rating scale. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored throughout the study period.

results26 received the combined treatment, and 27 patients were treated with RFMN alone. Mean ages were 50.7 ± 7.4 and 55.6 ± 8.9 years, respectively. Both groups showed significant reductions in submental volume without significant differences between them. However, only the combination group demonstrated a distinct improvement in hyperpigmented lesions, as quantified by the color analysis. Blinded evaluations noted improvements in the melomental area, jawline, and neck in both groups, while greater improvements in skin tone evening and therefore overall appearance were seen only in the combination group. No serious AEs were reported.

conclusionBoth treatment modalities effectively addressed lower facial and neck laxity. The addition of Tm laser to RFMN provided additional benefits in treating pigmentary irregularities and improving overall clinical outcome without notably compromising downtime. Larger studies are warranted to validate these findings and assess long-term outcomes.

trial registrationThis study was preregistered in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06029725) on 23 August 2023.

Indexed as

Cosmetic TechniquesLasers, Solid-StateRadiofrequency TherapyRejuvenationSkin AgingAdultCombined Modality TherapyFaceFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeckNeedlesPercutaneous Collagen InductionProspective StudiesThuliumpigmentationradiofrequency microneedlingskin rejuvenationskin tighteningthulium laser

Identifiers

PMID41566557
PMCPMC12824051

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.