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Skin LaxityNCT06243744

Histological Evaluation of Human Skin Bx to Assess the Effects of APR Tx as an Adjunct Procedure in Facelift Surgery

A study testing Renuvion APR System in people with Skin Laxity and Tissue Degeneration, run by Apyx Medical at 2 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this prospective, single-arm clinical study is to gather quantifiable data on Renuvion's impact on skin elasticity and hydration, indicators of skin quality and estimate the biological skin age using DNA methylation in males and females between 18 and 75 years of age who plan to receive a lower facelift… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 75 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Skin Laxity, Tissue Degeneration, Tissue Breakdown
What is being tested?
Renuvion APR System
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
7 participants
Where
2 sitesUnited States
Study dates
30 Nov 2023to 10 Jul 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Male or female subjects, ages 18 - 75 years old.
  • ASA Physical Status Classification System Class I and Class II subjects.
  • Planning to undergo a lower facelift procedure, with or without a neck lift, at the investigator's site.
  • Understands and accepts the obligation not to undergo any other procedures or treatments in the areas to be treated during study participation.
  • Absence of physical conditions unacceptable to the investigator.
  • Females of childbearing potential who are sexually active must be willing to use an approved method of birth control during study participation.
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  • Willing and able to comply with protocol requirements, including study-required images/photos, assessments/measurements, and returning for follow-up visits.
  • Willing to release rights for the use of study photos, including in publication.
  • Able to read, understand, sign, and date the informed consent.
  • Able to communicate with the site via video and/or photographs, in the event of a virtual follow-up visit.

Who cannot join

  • Subjects presenting with ASA Physical Status Classification System Classes III or higher.
  • Pregnant, lactating, or plans to become pregnant during study participation.
  • Known hypersensitivity or allergy to tumescent anesthetic (lidocaine/ epinephrine).
  • Known hypersensitivity or allergy to ibuprofen or other NSAIDS.
  • Active systemic or local skin disease that may alter wound healing.
  • Significant or uncontrolled medical condition that in the opinion of the investigator participation in the study may compromise the patient's health.
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  • History of autoimmune disease (excluding Hashimoto's thyroiditis).
  • Known susceptibility to keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring.
  • Cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions in the area to be treated.
  • Possesses a surgically implanted electronic device (i.e. pacemaker).
  • Serious mental health illness such as dementia or schizophrenia; psychiatric hospitalization in the past two years.
  • Participation in any other investigational study within 30 days prior to consent and throughout study participation.
  • Subject who, in the opinion of the investigator, is not an appropriate candidate for the study.
  • Subject who has had a prior facelift, neck lift, or Renuvion treatment in the face/neck area

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

United States2 sites
  • LA Plastic Surgery and Dermatology

    Bradenton, Florida, 34208

  • Holcomb & Kreithen Plastic Surgery and MedSpa

    Sarasota, Florida, 34237

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Histological Evaluation of Human Skin Biopsies to Assess the Effects of Renuvion APR Treatment as an Adjunct Procedure in Facelift Surgery

The goal of this prospective, single-arm clinical study is to gather quantifiable data on Renuvion's impact on skin elasticity and hydration, indicators of skin quality and estimate the biological skin age using DNA methylation in males and females between 18 and 75 years of age who plan to receive a lower facelift surgery. The main purpose is to quantify the effect of the Renuvion device on skin elasticity (collagen density, elastin, fibrillin-1), hydration (aquaporin-3, acidic glycosaminoglycans, HA), and DNA methylation to estimate the biological age of the skin.

Participants will receive a lower facelift surgery per the Investigator's standard clinical practice and treatment with the Renuvion APR System.

Read the detailed description

The purpose of this study is to gather quantifiable data on Renuvion's impact on skin elasticity and hydration, indicators of skin quality and estimate the biological skin age using DNA methylation.

This study is a prospective, single-arm clinical study to be conducted at up to three clinical sites in the US. Up to 10 subjects will be enrolled and treated if they meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria and provide written informed consent.

Enrolled subjects meeting all entrance criteria and confirmed eligible for study treatment will be asked to participate. Subjects will receive a lower facelift surgery per the Investigator's standard clinical practice and treatment with the Renuvion APR System. The mid/upper-face area will not be treated with Renuvion and the lower face/neck area will be treated with Renuvion. Treatment will consist of subdermal coagulation of soft tissue using the Renuvion APR handpiece.

Being tested
Renuvion APR System
Medical subject headings
Cutis Laxa

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Renuvion APR SystemDevice

    The Apyx Medical Corporation Renuvion/J-Plasma helium plasma family of products has received FDA clearance under 510(k) numbers K191542, K192867 for the cutting, coagulation, and ablation of soft tissue.

Study groups in NCT06243744
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Procedure with the Renuvion APR System in lower facelift areaOtherSubjects will receive a lower facelift surgery per the Investigator's standard clinical practice and treatment with the Renuvion APR System.
Receives: Device: Renuvion APR System

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Analysis of Elasticity (Collagen & Elastin)

    To assess Elasticity (collagen \& elastin) evaluation will be based on the qualitative histology in samples at baseline and Day 180 follow-up. Two samples from each time period were analyses - control and treatment area. The H\&E, trichrome, and van Gieson-stained slides were evaluated via light microscopy for any abnormalities and extracellular matrix changes. The results of histopathological assessment were scored using the industry standard 5-point scoring system. 0=Normal, 1=Minimal, 2=Mild, 3=Moderate, 4=Severe.

    Measured: Baseline, Day 180

  2. Analyzing Days of Duration for Bruising, Swelling

    Analysis days of duration of overall facial bruising and swelling post-treatment through the 180-day visit. The reported data is for the lower face treatment area only; the control area was not evaluated for bruising/swelling.

    Measured: Post-Treatment, Day 1, 7, 14, 45, 90, 180

  3. Percentage of Lower Face Area Healed

    Percentage of the lower facial treatment area assessed as healed at each post-treatment time frame (Days 1, 7, 14, 45, 90 \& 180) based on investigator clinical evaluation documented in Case Report Forms. The reported data is for the lower face treatment area only; the control untreated mid/upper-face area was not evaluated for healing.

    Measured: Post-Treatment, Day 1, 7, 14, 45, 90, 180

  4. Bleeding

    Analysis of bleeding during surgery measured in cubic centimeter. The reported data is for the lower face treatment area only; the control area was not evaluated for bleeding.

    Measured: During Procedure (Day 0)

  5. The Principal Investigator Will Complete a PGAIS Assessing Overall Aesthetic Improvement in the Treatment Area at Day 180 Post-treatment.

    Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale Evaluation (PGAIS) rating by investigator [Very much improved, Much improved, Improved, No change, Worse, Much Worse, Very much Worse]. The reported data is for the lower face treatment area only; the control area was not evaluated for GAIS as it was not treated.

    Measured: Day 180

  6. The Subject Will Complete a SGAIS Assessing Overall Aesthetic Improvement in the Treatment Area at Day 180 Post-treatment.

    Subject Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale Evaluation (SGAIS) rating by subject [Very much improved, Much improved, Improved, No change, Worse, Much Worse, Very much Worse]. The reported data is for the lower face treatment area only; the control area was not evaluated for GAIS as it was not treated.

    Measured: Day 180

  7. Patient Satisfaction

    The subject will complete a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ) while referring to their image in a mirror and current post-treatment photos compared to baseline photos to rate how satisfied they are, and if they note any improvement in the treatment area. The reported data is for the lower face treatment area only; the control area was not evaluated for PSQ as it was not treated.

    Measured: Day 180

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Feb 2024
  2. Study start30 Nov 2023
  3. Primary completion10 Jul 2025
  4. Study completion10 Jul 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Model description
This is a prospective single-arm, study of up to 10 study subjects undergoing a lower facelift surgery and treatment with the Renuvion APR System. The study will be conducted at up to three (3) investigational centers in the United States. Two biopsy tissue samples will be taken during the facelift procedure prior to use of the Renuvion APR System and then at the Day 180 visit. Tissue samples will be assessed via microscopy, histology, and immunohistochemistry for biological markers of elasticity (collagen density, elastin, fibrillin-1) and hydration (\[aquaporin-3, acidic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), HA\]). Additionally, DNA methylation will be measured in tissue samples to estimate the biological age of the skin. Follow-up will occur 1 day, 2 days (optional), 7 days, 14 days, 45 days, 90 days, and 180 days post-procedure with images and skin quality measurements taken as described.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
7 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06243744
Sponsor's protocol ID
APX-21-04
Status last verified
Mar 2026
First submitted
18 Dec 2023
Last updated
24 Mar 2026
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Goldberg SN, Gazelle GS, Halpern EF, Rittman WJ, Mueller PR, Rosenthal DI. Radiofrequency tissue ablation: importance of local temperature along the electrode tip exposure in determining lesion shape and size. Acad Radiol. 1996 Mar;3(3):212-8. doi: 10.1016/s1076-6332(96)80443-0.

    PubMed 8796667
  • Thomsen S. Pathologic analysis of photothermal and photomechanical effects of laser-tissue interactions. Photochem Photobiol. 1991 Jun;53(6):825-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1991.tb09897.x.

    PubMed 1886941
  • Ross EV, McKinlay JR, Anderson RR. Why does carbon dioxide resurfacing work? A review. Arch Dermatol. 1999 Apr;135(4):444-54. doi: 10.1001/archderm.135.4.444.

    PubMed 10206052
  • Gardner ES, Reinisch L, Stricklin GP, Ellis DL. In vitro changes in non-facial human skin following CO2 laser resurfacing: a comparison study. Lasers Surg Med. 1996;19(4):379-87. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1096-9101(1996)19:43.0.CO;2-P.

    PubMed 8982996
  • Doshi SN, Alster TS. Combination radiofrequency and diode laser for treatment of facial rhytides and skin laxity. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2005 Mar;7(1):11-5. doi: 10.1080/14764170410003075.

    PubMed 16020210
  • Fatemi A, Weiss MA, Weiss RA. Short-term histologic effects of nonablative resurfacing: results with a dynamically cooled millisecond-domain 1320 nm Nd:YAG laser. Dermatol Surg. 2002 Feb;28(2):172-6. doi: 10.1046/j.1524-4725.2002.01112.x.

    PubMed 11860431
  • Mayoral FA. Skin tightening with a combined unipolar and bipolar radiofrequency device. J Drugs Dermatol. 2007 Feb;6(2):212-5.

    PubMed 17373181
  • Alster TS, Doshi SN, Hopping SB. Combination surgical lifting with ablative laser skin resurfacing of facial skin: a retrospective analysis. Dermatol Surg. 2004 Sep;30(9):1191-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2004.30370.x.

    PubMed 15355357
  • Zelickson BD, Kist D, Bernstein E, Brown DB, Ksenzenko S, Burns J, Kilmer S, Mehregan D, Pope K. Histological and ultrastructural evaluation of the effects of a radiofrequency-based nonablative dermal remodeling device: a pilot study. Arch Dermatol. 2004 Feb;140(2):204-9. doi: 10.1001/archderm.140.2.204.

    PubMed 14967794
  • Hsu TS, Kaminer MS. The use of nonablative radiofrequency technology to tighten the lower face and neck. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2003 Jun;22(2):115-23. doi: 10.1053/sder.2003.50011.

    PubMed 12877230
  • Paul M, Blugerman G, Kreindel M, Mulholland RS. Three-dimensional radiofrequency tissue tightening: a proposed mechanism and applications for body contouring. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2011 Feb;35(1):87-95. doi: 10.1007/s00266-010-9564-0. Epub 2010 Sep 11.

    PubMed 20835826
  • Hurwitz D, Smith D. Treatment of overweight patients by radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (RFAL) for aesthetic reshaping and skin tightening. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2012 Feb;36(1):62-71. doi: 10.1007/s00266-011-9783-z. Epub 2011 Jul 13.

    PubMed 21751063
  • Irvine Duncan D. Nonexcisional tissue tightening: creating skin surface area reduction during abdominal liposuction by adding radiofrequency heating. Aesthet Surg J. 2013 Nov 1;33(8):1154-66. doi: 10.1177/1090820X13505862.

    PubMed 24335016
  • Boeni R. Safety of tumescent liposuction under local anesthesia in a series of 4,380 patients. Dermatology. 2011;222(3):278-81. doi: 10.1159/000327375. Epub 2011 May 24.

    PubMed 21606638
  • Nakab L, Hee CK, Guetta O. Improvements in Skin Quality Biological Markers in Skin Explants Using Hyaluronic Acid Filler VYC-12L. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020 Mar 27;8(3):e2723. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002723. eCollection 2020 Mar.

    PubMed 32537370

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Renuvion APR System in people with Skin Laxity and Tissue Degeneration, run by Apyx Medical at 2 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 10 inclusion and 14 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 24 Mar 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Analysis of Elasticity (Collagen & Elastin) (time frame: Baseline, Day 180). The study lists 7 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06243744, which also lists 19 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Mar 2026.

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