Radiofrequency and Hybrid Fractional Laser for Vaginal Rejuvenation

Overview

This is a single-center, randomized, prospective study designed to evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency and hybrid fractional laser for vaginal rejuvenation. 120 subjects will be screened with 100 undergoing a three-part treatment of the vulvovaginal area IntraGen RF unit, IntraGen RF unit placebo, DiVa HFL unit, or DiVa HFL unit placebo. These treatments will be spaced one month apart and last about 25 minutes each. Each subject will be screened, undergo testing at baseline, and will be followed conservatively with no further therapy until they reach 6 months after the initiation of the designated treatment. At that time, all subjects will undergo subjective and objective testing. Those in the treatment group will be followed to 9 and 12 months after the initiation of treatment with appropriate analysis. Those in the placebo group will be provided a three-part treatment of the vulvovaginal area with the IntraGen RF unit and DiVA HFL unit. These treatments will be spaced one month apart and last about 25 minutes each. Six months after receiving three treatments of the dual therapy these patients will undergo subjective and objective testing. The primary outcome measure is improvement in vulvovaginal symptoms measured by the validated Vulvovaginal Symptoms Questionnaire. Data obtained from each investigation will be recorded in a password-protected digital spreadsheet, REDCap database and descriptive statistics will be obtained.

Vaginal rejuvenation is a catch-all term of trendy procedures which claim to provide relief of many issues affecting women's health, ranging from postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms (i.e. dryness, burning, itching), stress urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction or discomfort, vaginal laxity, and labial appearance, amongst others2,3. Several companies have emerged with non-invasive or minimally-invasive technologies to alleviate these conditions which operate by radiofrequency delivery (IntraGen by Jeisys), Hybrid Fractional Laser (diVa by Sciton), or fractional CO2 laser (Mona Lisa Touch by Cynosure and Femi Lift by Alma Laser)4. All of these technologies work theoretically by remodeling extracellular matrix configuration. It is of important note that radiofrequency therapies are typically delivered at 45-55 degrees Celsius in the tissues whereas the laser based products heat up to 60-70 degrees Celsius5. It is believed that "neocollagenesis" may only start if the temperatures are high enough and that such changes in the collagen matrix of the vagina could lead to durable vaginal wall changes. Sciton's diVa is hybrid fractional laser with wavelengths of 2940 nm and 1470 nm for ablation and coagulation, respectively, to treat vaginal tissue6. It is not known whether the changes experienced by patients are due to the reconfiguration of the extracellular matrix (ECM) deep in the vaginal wall or related to the acute swelling and inflammatory processes that occur at the surface of the vagina after these rejuvenation procedures. The early anecdotal success reported on some user websites might be attributable to surface changes that may not be lasting or to possibly more lasting deeper muscular vaginal wall changes, which may or may not be beneficial. Based on the answer to this first set of questions, we might possibly surmise how such changes will ultimately improve vaginal dryness and/or stress urinary incontinence complaints. An overriding question and concern is: Assuming these treatments induce collagen changes in the vagina, is it safe to induce such changes? If changes occur, are they long lasting? Can it age the vagina instead of making it "younger"? What are the long-term effects of doing so? Is tissue tightening really scar formation that may be deleterious in the future? The histological, genetic and dynamic changes following vaginal rejuvenation have never been studied.