An open single-arm clinical study of microneedle radiofrequency technology for addressing abdominal skin laxity in postpartum women

Postpartum abdominal skin laxity represents a common yet challenging condition, with increasing demand for effective and safe noninvasive or minimally invasive treatments, such as phototherapy, radiofrequency (RF), and ultrasound, due to their controlled penetration depth and lower risks. Conventional treatments are limited by reason of thermal injury risk and long recovery periods, necessitating safer and more effective interventions. This open-label, single-arm study evaluated bipolar microneedle radiofrequency (MNRF) for treating abdominal skin laxity in 17 postpartum women. Participants received three treatments at 8-week intervals. Assessments included global aesthetic improvement, abdominal circumference (AC), biomechanical properties, and patient satisfaction. Significant improvements were observed in skin elasticity, viscoelasticity, and echo density; AC showed a non-significant reduction trend with notable aesthetic enhancement. Histological analysis in one subject showed increased collagen density and restoration of the dermal-epidermal junction. Eighty percent of the subjects expressed satisfaction during the treatment period, with a subjective comfort score of 2.93 ± 1.29 (0–10) and an overall satisfaction of 2.40 ± 0.88 (0–4), and no serious adverse events occurred. These results indicate that bipolar MNRF is an effective and safe minimally invasive option for improving postpartum abdominal laxity.