Radio frequency and magnetism

Radio frequency and magnetism

Abstract

Broadly speaking, radio frequency (RF) is the process of exploitation of the electromagnetic phenomena of waves of the spectrum ranging between 3Hz and 300GHz. It is one of the most important technologies in the world today. The possibility of the presence of electromagnetic waves was first established by James Maxwell in 1864. Radio technology later developed into mass communication and entertainment with the invention of the radars and television. Although electromagnetic fields have become an essential part of life because of the numerous applications, there is a growing concerning about the bioeffects that may come due to exposure to such fields. This paper will discuss the use of radio frequency in the medical field, the components of the skin affected by the radio frequencies and the subjective tests used to evaluate the efficacy. Finally, the paper will discuss the writer’s opinion on the subject matter.

Key terms; Radio Frequency, monopolar, bipolar and unipolar

Thesis statement; Over the past 10 years, radio frequency (RF) and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) technology has been utilized for non ablative treatment of rhytides and skin laxity. The desires for a youthful appearance and advancement in technology have made these treatments   widely available.

                                                                                                                                                I.            Brief about Radio Frequency

Radio frequency has a spectrum range of 3Hz to 300 GHz. Radio frequencies are normally as a result of electric fields. With any electric fields then there must be a corresponding magnetic field.

                                                                                                      II.            Applications of Radio Frequency in the medical field

 Radio frequency and electromagnetic radiations have number of applications in the human medical field. The goal of the new technology-based radio frequency ranges is to heat target layers of the skin. The use of RF can cause dermal heating and cause collagen degeneration. Wound healing mechanisms accelerate the remodeling of collagen and wound contraction, which ultimately clinically promotes the appearance of mild to moderate skin laxity. Other medical applications include magnetic resonance imaging, radiofrequency thermal ablation, localized dielectric heating or shortwave diathermy and other paramedical RF uses. Radio Frequency and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field skin tightening is a new and very promising tool for the nonsurgical tightening of loose, sagging skin.

                                                                                                                                                                III.            Types of Devices

In this particular application, RF energy is produced by a current that is sufficient enough pass through the tissue. Heat energy is generated by the RF in the form of electric fields to the charges that act on the target tissue. The RF heating is usually independent of the skin type, and therefore patients of diverse skin prototypes can be safely treated. However, the treatment comes with an effect depending on the tissue targeted. These effects will either be clinical or biological.  The depth of penetration is usually inversely proportional to the frequency of the RF energy so the lower the higher the frequency the lower the penetration and vice versa. The RF technology also can selectively heat large amounts of subcutaneous adipose tissue by selecting the most appropriate electric field. The RF is usually delivered using monopolar, bipolar and unipolar devices. In monopolar devices, the electrode to deliver the electric fields is usually placed over a target then a return electrode is put at a distant side. It allows currently to be generated, pass through the target and be reflected back by the electrode to the grounding pad for deeper thermal damage. Monopolar devices have deeper penetrating capabilities than bipolar and unipolar devices.

For bipolar RF devices, both electrodes are put into a single compartment, and the distance between the electrodes determines the depth of penetration that is usually confined to 1-4mm of the target surface. Moreover, in tripolar RF systems it exclusively uses the effects of combining unipolar RF and bipolar RF energies in one device to simultaneously heat deep and superficial layers while still protecting the skin. Finally, there are pulsed RF devices where magnets are used to create a pulsating, moving energy. The energy waves change the manner in which the body cops up with pain. It is a non-ionizing energy at the shortwave radiofrequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum commonly at a frequency of 27 MHz.

                                                                                                                                                                         IV.            Treatments

There are several body modifications that the RF devices can perform. It includes Skin laxity, wrinkle improvement tissue and tightening medical treatments. A number of energy based devices demonstrate safety, efficacy, and future achievements for treatment of skin laxity and in the periorbital area. Resurfacing treatments may improve the skin texture, color, and laxity. The RF does this by generating a skin tightening and mild to moderate wrinkle reduction. RF devices heat, lift and tighten the dermal tissue to treat skin laxity. The RF energy is in the form of an alternating current that goes through the tip of an electrode to the target tissue. The devices generate dermal heating, denature collagen and induce the collagen remolding. However, care must be taken to ensure that safety of the delicate structures and the tissues. It requires a careful examination of the patient’s demands and the practicability of achieving the best possible outcome. RF devices may also be used for tissue tightening by volumetric heating of the dermis tissues that tightens the hydrogen bonds at the collagen triple helix causing contraction. The use of heat to denature the collagen usually occurs at a threshold temperature of about 65 degrees Celsius. The treatment gives the patient an abrupt and improvement on the daily basis over the period of 4-6 months from noncollagenous to a delayed wound healing response.

RF devices may be used medical treatments such as cosmetic dermatology and esthetics due to its ability to heat skin and subdermal tissue. As the technology advances, there will be coupling of RF energies that will create better output, as well as efficacy of the treatment. After the analysis of the use and applications of RF devices then the question of safety arises. High power RF radiation is a source of thermal energy that carries known implications of heating biological systems, burns, both permanent and temporary changes in reproduction and even death.

                                                                                                                                                                                    V.            Safety

Several organizations and governments have put up standards and guidelines for protection and exposure to RF fields. The guidelines include a limiting SAR value of 0.4W/kg above which it will be considered unhealthy. There are several guidelines to ensuring the safety of the RF devices.

                                                                                                                                                                           VI.            Clearance

In the clearance process, RF technology has been received by many organizations the world over. It includes Health Canada way back in the year 2011. The reputable developer and manufacturer of medical tools for esthetic medicine, physical therapy, and cardiology, t announced Health Canada approval to sell and distribute its (RF) device in the country. The Canadian clearance indicated that the RF device could be used fat removal, wrinkle reduction, and skin tightening. The approval by the Canadian firm was similar to clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. European Medicine Agency has also given the clearance to use the RF technology in treating the conditions outlined in the previous section. It is eminent by the numerous successful treatments done in that country.

                                                                                                                                                           VII.            Contraindications

With the use of RF, there are several contraindications that have to be considered. Before you have an RF treatment is done the patient should avoid any exposure to the sun which can either by lying out in the sun, using artificial tanning with tanning beds. It should be avoided for several days before and after RF treatments. After RF treatments, the patient must follow practitioner recommendations for skin care to maintain long lasting results. Patients with electrical devices such as heart valves are not allowed to go for RF therapy.

                                                                                                                                                                          VIII.            Results

The results of the RF therapy take quite some time depending on the patient. Most people usually want to see clear results immediately after each treatment. Since collagen will continue to regenerate, the amount of the collagen fibers will also continue to increase, results will continue to show improvement for 11 to 12 weeks post treatment. Each of the treatment results is cumulative and may continue improving for several months. Several recent reports have indicated the safety and efficacy of RF better delivery for reduction of rhytide levels and stronger tightening of lax facial and neck skin.

References

Raulin, C., & Karsai, S. (2010). Laser and IPL technology in dermatology and aesthetic medicine. Berlin: Springer

 Bersani, F. (2011). Electricity and Magnetism in Biology and Medicine. Boston, MA: Springer US.

Fosbinder, R., & Orth, D. (2010). Essentials of radiologic science. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Lapidoth, Moshe, and Shlomit Halachmi. Radiofrequency in Cosmetic Dermatology. , 2015. Internet resource. Narukar, V. A. (2009). Cosmetic dermatology. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders