What is Sylfirm X?
Sylfirm X is a US FDA-approved radio frequency (RF) micro-needling procedure. The purpose of micro-needling is to puncture the outermost layer of the skin and trigger the natural healing process. This promotes the production of collagen and skin regrowth. The addition of radio frequency further stimulates collagen production to firm and tighten the skin, and for skin rejuvenation.
Sylfirm X utilizes dual wave (continuous wave and pulsed wave) for skin rejuvenation, scars, pigmented and vascular lesions such as melasma, diffuse redness and rosacea. Sylfirm X has 8 different modes allowing it to be customized to different treatment sites and skin conditions. Additionally, Sylfirm X has the widest depth range of 0.3 – 4.0mm among RF micro-needling systems.
How does Sylfirm X work?
Sylfirm X works by utilizing radio frequency (RF) micro-needling – a minimally invasive procedure that delivers RF via micro needles. With a needle depth of 0.3mm which is not found in other RF micro-needling systems, Sylfirm X targets the papillary dermis – an important layer (the upper dermal layer) below the basement membrane, where aging fibroblasts and type III collagen are found. Type III collagen is important for improving skin elasticity and hydration. By targeting the papillary dermis, it is able to dramatically improve pigmentations like melasma caused by aging, strengthens skin barriers, and maximize effects of collagen production.
RF energy is delivered to the skin through micro needles. RF generates heat at 40-60°C, causing coagulation, protein denaturation, leading to inflammation and contraction, stimulating the wound healing response and promoting new collagen production.
Micro-needling produces controlled micro injuries to the skin and stimulates wound healing process and collagen production. The needles also help to break down scar tissue.
What can Sylfirm X treat?
Sylfirm X has dual wave radio frequency (continuous wave and pulsed wave) and eight different modes and the widest depth range of needle of 0.3 – 4.0mm compared to other RF micro-needling systems in the market.
By adjusting the depth of the needles, tweaking the pulse mode and energy level of the radio frequency, Sylfirm X can be used to treat a wide range of skin conditions from melasma, rosacea, acne, acne scars, wrinkles and can also be used on different parts of the body such as the neck, double chin, décolletage and the scalp for hair regrowth.
This means that Sylfirm X can be customized not only to treat different individuals, but also different skin conditions or problems on the face of the same individual as we know the same face may have melasma, acne scars, wrinkles, open pores and saggy skin all at the same time!
Melasma
Melasma is a benign yet psychologically crippling skin condition that is very common in Asian women. It is difficult to treat and can frequently relapse. It can be caused by excessive sun exposure, aging, genetics, hormonal changes, medications or pregnancy. Using the pulsed wave mode, Sylfirm X can treat pigmentation such as melasma and rosacea.
Here are four causes of melasma and how it develops:
Firstly, in melasma patients, the hyperactive melanocytes or pigment cells are easily stimulated by exposure to the harmful Ultraviolet rays of the sun resulting in increased production of pigmentation.
Secondly, Melasma patients are also found to have a damaged basement membrane which is the skin structure found between the epidermis and dermis layer of the skin.
Thirdly, melasma patients have increased abnormal blood vessels in their skin. These abnormal blood vessels produce VEGF which is called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors which has been shown in clinical studies to cause more pigmentation.
Fourthly, there are many aging fibroblasts found in the skin of the melasma patients.
Sylfirm X may not be able to cure melasma but it is a great device to control melasma.
Using the pulsed wave RF mode, Sylfirm X treats melasma by targeting the root causes of melasma by regulating hyperactive melanocytes, strengthening damaged basement membrane, removal of increased abnormal blood vessels in the skin and increasing collagen production.
Facial Rejuvenation: Skin Tightening & Open Pores
Apart from treating pigmentation, Sylfirm X can also help to tighten pores. Utilizing the continuous wave more, RF is delivered at 55-60°C into the dermal layer, promising dermal re-modeling and skin tightening.
Other conditions
The adjustable needle depth for penetration and the RF energy level also mean that Sylfirm X is safe for delicate, sensitive skin and difficult to treat areas around the eyes and mouth as the skin is very thin. Sylfirm X can also be used to rejuvenate the skin, treat rosacea, acne and acne scars, and can be used on other parts of the body – neck, double chin, décolletage and the scalp for hair regrowth.
What to expect during the procedure?
Prior to treatment, numbing cream will be applied to the treatment area. Stamping technique is used to smoothly insert the needles, preventing pain and bleeding or bruising. The treatment lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Who is a suitable candidate?
This treatment is for:
- Pigmentation – melasma and rosacea
- Skin rejuvenation – enlarged pores, wrinkles, fine lines, rhytids and skin laxity
- Body rejuvenation – turkey neck, double chin, décolletage
- Scars – acne scars, atrophic scars, hypertrophic scars, stretch marks
This treatment is suitable for a wide range of age groups and both gender as it has both long and short pulses to customize to different conditions. It is also for all skin types as RF is not limited by Fitzpatrick skin types and therefore all skin types can be treated with Sylfirm X effectively and safely.
How many sessions are needed?
Patients may see visible improvement in their skin within just one treatment. Depending on the skin condition, up to four treatments or more may be recommended.
Is there any downtime or side effects?
Insulated needles are designed to protect the epidermis or the superficial layer of the skin. They emit radio frequency energy only at the tip and cause low volume heating. With insulated needles, multiple passes (penetrations) over the skin are needed, and the associated trauma results in bleeding and subsequently more downtime for patients.
Non-insulated micro needles like those used in Sylfirm X, the radio frequency is emitted along the entire length and cause high volume heating. Because only one or two passes are needed when using Sylfirm X, there is less trauma, and less downtime.
Sylfirm X needles are also 24-K gold-plated, which allows for smoother penetration through the skin, thereby avoiding unnecessary trauma to the skin and minimizing the risk of pigmentary changes with non-insulated needles.
There may be slight redness and swelling right after the treatment which should subside after a few hours.
For melasma treatment, the pigmentation darkens and fades away within one to two weeks.
For acne & acne scar treatment, skin tightening on the face or body, there may be redness and swelling that may last approximately one to three or three to five days.
Note: The degree of erythema and downtime may vary depending on the treatment intensity or skin sensitivity.