Category
Technology, regulatory status and safety concepts for HIFU, radiofrequency, laser and other energy-based devices.
12 terms
This category groups concepts for definition and clinical context. Inclusion is not a personal treatment recommendation or a candidacy decision. Only entries that pass editorial-depth, evidence and patient-safety checks are listed; treatment decisions require an examination and review of medical history.
AI skin analysis is a digital diagnostic technology that combines machine learning algorithms (CNN — convolutional neural networks) with high-resolution digital imaging (multiple polarisation, multispectral, UV/cross-polarised light) to provide objective, quantitative measurement of skin parameters — pore number/size, oil production, spots (melanin/haemoglobin), wrinkle depth, UV damage, redness, Fitzpatrick phototype and biological age.
The alexandrite laser is a 755 nm solid-state laser that strongly targets melanin; its long-pulsed form is used for long-term hair reduction in light to medium skin, and its Q-switched or picosecond forms for some pigmented lesions.
Cannula diameter refers to the outer thickness of the blunt-tipped cannula used in filler application and is evaluated together with the gauge value.
A diode laser is a semiconductor laser, usually emitting at 800–810 nm, that targets melanin in the hair follicle by selective photothermolysis and is used mainly for long-term hair reduction.
The Er:YAG (erbium) laser is an ablative laser that targets water at 2940 nm; it vaporises superficial skin layers in a controlled way, leaves less residual thermal damage than a CO2 laser, and is used fully ablatively or fractionally for wrinkles and atrophic acne scars.
Exilis Ultra is an FDA 510(k) approved zero-downtime non-invasive body contouring and facial tightening combination device produced by BTL Aesthetics, delivering 1-3 MHz monopolar radiofrequency (RF) and 2 MHz ultrasonic energy simultaneously, providing real-time impedance control with Proteus technology, for sub-dermal 4-10 mm deep fat tissue heating and dermal collagen coagulation.
Filler ultrasound is an imaging approach that evaluates facial vessels, tissue layers, and previously applied filler material with high-frequency ultrasound.
HIFU is a category of devices that delivers focused ultrasound energy to tissue depths defined by the exact system and cartridge; aesthetic candidacy, expected response, and regulatory status must be assessed through the specific model, intended use, and an in-person examination rather than through the technology name alone.
Microneedling RF (Fractional RF Microneedling) is a category of fractional skin resurfacing devices that deliver bipolar radiofrequency energy through an insulated or non-insulated micro-needle array (25–64 pins) at a dermal depth of 0.5–3.5 mm, FDA-approved for the treatment of acne scars, striae (stretch marks) and superficial rhytids, marketed under multiple brands such as Vivace/Secret RF/Infini/EndyMed.
Morpheus8 is a fractional RF microneedling medical device produced by InMode Aesthetic Solutions, which will transmit bipolar radiofrequency energy to the subdermal layer at a depth of 1-8 mm through an insulated microneedle array (12-40 pins), performs thermal remodeling in the dermis collagen and subdermal adipose tissue, and is used for facial contouring, skin tightening and body contouring with Subdermal Adipose Remodeling (SART) FDA approval.
SkinSpan and similar biological skin-age (bioage) measurement systems are commercial laboratory/clinical tests that quantitatively measure the skin's <em>biological</em> age against its <em>chronological</em> age through a combined assessment of epigenetic DNA methylation biomarkers (Horvath clock, Hannum clock, GrimAge and PhenoAge derivatives), telomere length, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), oxidative-stress markers and dermatoglyphic AI image analysis.
Thermage FLX is an FDA 510(k) approved non-invasive skin tightening device produced by Solta Medical, which triggers immediate collagen contraction (immediate tightening) and subsequent neocollagenesis by volumetric heating in the skin dermis layer with 6 MHz monopolar radiofrequency (RF) energy, and offers impedance-compatible energy regulation with the AccuREP algorithm.