Treatment of sensitive skin by short‐wave radiofrequency combined with intense pulsed light

Abstract Background Sensitive skin is a widespread dermatologic condition, and no optimal treatments have been established so far. Objective To investigated the efficacy and safety of the combined therapy of short‐wave radiofrequency (SWRF) and intense pulsed light (IPL) in improving transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and facial erythema in sensitive skin patients. Methods Twenty‐two patients with sensitive skin received the SWRF treatment once per week for 4 weeks and IPL treatment once. Digital photographs and three‐dimensional images were taken at each follow‐up. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by the improvement of sensitive scale‐10 including irritant symptoms and facial erythema. In addition, erythema area and TEWL values were measured. Results All patients showed subjective and objective improvement in irritant sensations and facial erythema after treatment. The TEWL values decreased from 20.29 ± 5.97 g·h −1 ·m −2 at baseline to 14.70 ± 6.02 g·h −1 ·m −2 after SWRF treatment and 13.78 ± 4.70 g·h −1 ·m −2 after combined therapy ( p = 0.000). The clearance of the erythema area was statistically significant, with 14.05% ± 5.71% at baseline, 9.38% ± 4.08% after SWRF treatment, and 5.73% ± 2.79% after combined therapy ( p = 0.000). No adverse events were observed. Conclusions The combination of SWRF with IPL was effective in relieving skin irritant sensations and facial erythema of sensitive skin by repairing skin barrier function.