{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,20]],"date-time":"2026-07-20T15:59:33Z","timestamp":1784563173620,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":41,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]],"date-time":"2026-01-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1768176000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJMS"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Aging-associated facial hyperpigmentation is driven not only by enhanced melanogenesis but also by dermal senescence and deterioration of the dermal\u2013epidermal junction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether monopolar radiofrequency (MRF) monotherapy can improve aging-related facial hyperpigmentation by simultaneously suppressing melanogenic signaling and restoring senescence-associated dermal alterations. We assumed that deep dermal heating induced by MRF would modulate fibroblast senescence and basement membrane integrity, thereby indirectly regulating melanocyte activity. In a retrospective review of 26 Asian women, MRF treatment significantly decreased multiple pigmentation parameters, including melanin level, hyperconcentration, and Hemi Melasma Area and Severity Index (hemi-MASI) scores, while concurrently reducing wrinkles, pores, and enhanced overall skin texture without inducing inflammation. Complementary ex vivo experiments using ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated human skin demonstrated that MRF markedly reduced pro-melanogenic markers (\u03b1-MSH, MC1R, MITF, TYR, TRP1\/2), restored collagen type IV expression at the basement membrane, decreased senescence-associated genes (p16, p21), and upregulated protective heat shock proteins (HSP70\/47). Together, these findings suggest that MRF improves aging-associated hyperpigmentation by both suppressing melanogenesis and rejuvenating the senescent dermal microenvironment. MRF may serve as an effective non-invasive treatment option for pigmentation disorders in aging skin.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms27020761","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]],"date-time":"2026-01-12T14:57:25Z","timestamp":1768229845000},"page":"761","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["Monopolar Radiofrequency for Facial Hyperpigmentation Treatment: An Integrated Retrospective Clinical Trial and Ex Vivo Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"27","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0004-3463-6661","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Yujin","family":"Baek","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dermatology, Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0002-4466-9550","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ngoc Ha","family":"Nguyen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dermatology, Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea"},{"name":"Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City 17000, Vietnam"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0002-5569-9579","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Seoyoon","family":"Ham","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dermatology, Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Wanjin","family":"Kim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dermatology, Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1739-5956","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ju Hee","family":"Lee","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dermatology, Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea"},{"name":"Scar Laser and Plastic Surgery Center, Yonsei Cancer Hospital, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6831-7379","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Young In","family":"Lee","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dermatology, Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea"},{"name":"Scar Laser and Plastic Surgery Center, Yonsei Cancer Hospital, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cabaco, L.C., Tomas, A., Pojo, M., and Barral, D.C. 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