CLINICAL STUDIES
Efficacy and Safety of Simultaneous Application of HIFEM and Synchronized Radiofrequency for Abdominal Fat Reduction and Muscle Toning: A Multicenter Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation Study
Carolyn Jacob, MD, David Kent, MD, and Omer Ibrahim, MD
Results
The muscle mass increase peaked at 3 months, showing 26.1% thickening. The fat thickness reduction was most prominent at 3 months, showing a 30.8% reduction. The abdominal separation width decreased by 18.8% at 3 months after treatment. The waist circumference reduced by 5.87 to 3.64 cm at a 3-month follow-up. Six-month data showed maintenance of these outcomes. The treatment was considered as comfortable with high patient satisfaction.
Conclusion
Simultaneous application of high-intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) and Radiofrequency (RF) is safe and effective for muscle toning and fat reduction. The results suggest this application as more effective for fat reduction and muscle increase than using these energies stand-alone or Figure 1. Digital photographs were taken at (left to right) baseline and at 1-month posttreatment. At 6 months, the 50-year–old woman showed 24.8% fat reduction, 23.7% muscle thickening, and 8- cm waist circumference reduction.
The analysis of magnetic resonance imaging images and waist measurements showed that the therapy combining HIFEM and RF is highly effective in reducing subcutaneous fat and muscle thickening.
Jacob, C., Kent, D., & Ibrahim, O. (2021). Efficacy and Safety of Simultaneous Application of HIFEM and Synchronized Radiofrequency for Abdominal Fat Reduction and Muscle Toning. Dermatologic Surgery, Publish Ahead of Print. https://doi.org/10.1097/dss.0000000000003086
Figure 1. Digital photographs taken at (left to right) baseline and at 1-month posttreatment.
Simultaneous Application of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic and Synchronized Radiofrequency for Fat Disruption: Histological and Electron Microscopy Porcine Model Study
Robert A. Weiss, MD, FAAD, Jan Bernady, PhD, and Frantisek Tichy,CSc
Results
Fat layer was heated to temperatures of 42 to 45°C. Signs of fat apoptosis (shape alternations and pyknotic nuclei) appeared at day 4 and peaked between 2 weeks and 1 month. Adipocyte volume decreased significantly (p , .001) by 31.1% at 2 weeks, 1 month (223.6%), and 2 months (222.0%). Control samples showed healthy adipocytes. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs corroborated histology findings, showing flattened, volume-depleted, and disrupted adipocytes.
Conclusion
Simultaneous delivery of synchronized Radiofrequency (RF) and high-intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) procedures demonstrated an excellent safety profile with no adverse events documented after 3 weekly treatments in a porcine model. Histology and SEM examination of adipose tissue revealed strong evidence of elimination of adipocytes through an apoptotic mechanism accompanied by a lipolytic effect, resulting in an overall fat tissue reduction. Induced changes were observed to peak during the first month, whereas at 2 months, a significant reduction of fat tissue was observed.
Treated adipocytes showed a smaller diameter than at baseline (Figure 2). Overall, the fat tissue showed a considerable decrease of adipocytes’ area with the greatest reduction observed at 4 days (225.9%; 2337.8 mm2 ) and 2 weeks (231.1%; 2405.5 mm2 ) after the last procedure, when the most prominent changes in fat tissue were observed. Notably, the size of the adipocytes remained smaller at 1-month and 2-month follow-up compared with the baseline.
Weiss, R. A., Bernardy, J., & Tichy, F. (2021). Simultaneous Application of High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic and Synchronized Radiofrequency for Fat Disruption: Histological and Electron Microscopy Porcine Model Study. Dermatologic Surgery, 47(8), 1059–1064. https://doi.org/10.1097/dss.0000000000003091
Figure 2. Average adipocyte area during the study.