[ZKKL] Academic Presentation | Clinical Efficacy of Radiofrequency Combined with Hydroxychloroquine in the Treatment of Facial Sensitive Skin, as Observed by Shu Min’s Star

Facial sensitive skin is often caused by long-term topical corticosteroid use [1], and by undergoing… Poor skincare practices, inadequate post‑laser treatment care [2], and other factors can compromise the skin’s lipid barrier and its… Brick wall structure It is a series of immune‑mediated inflammatory responses that arise when the skin barrier is compromised, leading to reduced barrier function and impaired tolerance to external irritants.

Clinically, it often manifests as recurrent facial desquamation, erythematous papules, and dryness, accompanied by symptoms such as pruritus, burning, tightness, and intolerance to heat and cold [3], frequently causing significant distress to patients. Its pathogenesis is complex, with impaired skin barrier function being one of the key etiological factors [4, 5]. Hydroxychloroquine has demonstrated favorable clinical efficacy in the treatment of facial sensitive skin [6]; however, current clinical practice indicates that relying solely on this medication combined with topical moisturizers is insufficient to achieve rapid symptom relief, restore the skin barrier, or shorten the disease course.

Soothing Star Radiofrequency technology, owing to its potent hydrating effects and ability to facilitate the delivery of moisturizing agents, can effectively promote the repair of sensitive skin [7]. Accordingly, in this study, on the basis of topical moisturizer use, we employed radiofrequency therapy combined with hydroxychloroquine to treat facial sensitive skin, achieving satisfactory clinical outcomes, which are reported herein.

Facial sensitive skin manifests as Diffuse erythema, desquamation, edema, Acne‑like rashes, accompanied by marked pruritus and burning sensations, ultimately lead to telangiectasia, skin atrophy, and hyperpigmentation, severely compromising the patient’s physical and mental well-being.

At present, the pathogenesis remains incompletely understood and is likely associated primarily with four factors: impaired skin barrier function, vascular and neural hyperreactivity, and microbial infection [4, 5]. Therefore, the author believes that, to achieve effective treatment, shorten the disease course, and substantially alleviate patients’ physical and psychological distress, a comprehensive therapeutic approach is warranted. The main components of this approach are as follows:

① Identify the underlying cause: if the condition is due to long-term topical corticosteroid use or unsuitable skincare products, discontinue these immediately and initiate a safe tapering regimen, while providing psychological counseling.

② Secondly, to suppress the inflammatory response, medications such as hydroxychloroquine and glycyrrhizin may be administered.

③ To promote the repair of the damaged skin barrier, medical skincare products such as soothing, moisturizing, and reparative agents may be administered. To facilitate skin barrier recovery, both the control group and the radiofrequency group in this study were treated topically with a soothing, moisturizing agent as a standard moisturizing and skin‑care intervention.

On this basis, the present study demonstrates that hydroxychloroquine exhibits favorable efficacy in the treatment of facial sensitive skin, with the response rate gradually increasing over the course of therapy; at 1, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment, the response rates were 16.33%, 30.61%, and 38.76%, respectively. Hydroxychloroquine is currently a cornerstone medication for the clinical management of systemic lupus erythematosus and is also widely recognized in dermatology as the first-line agent for treating facial sensitive skin.

Research has shown that hydroxychloroquine reduces cutaneous sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, stabilizes lysosomal membranes, inhibits the binding of denatured DNA to antibodies, and suppresses cellular immunity and complement activation [8]. Furthermore, in vitro studies have demonstrated that hydroxychloroquine can inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of CD4+ Foxp3+ Treg cells [9]; therefore, it is hypothesized that it may also exert its anti‑inflammatory effects in facial sensitive skin via this mechanism.
 

Shumin Zhi Xing, also known as the KL-DB shortwave therapeutic device. ， The underlying principle relies on radiofrequency electric field therapy combined with computer and electronic technologies. Insulating electrodes are positioned close to the skin surface, delivering energy in the form of a radiofrequency electric field into the subcutaneous tissues. Through ionization and osmotic penetration, the treatment electrolyzes water molecules at the skin’s surface into ionic forms; owing to the repulsion between like‑charged ions, these ions can rapidly traverse intercellular ion channels and reach the basal layer of the epidermis, thereby replenishing the skin with moisture. Radiofrequency energy also stimulates the repair of keratinocyte function, restores the skin’s brick‑and‑mortar structure, and reinforces the skin barrier. During the procedure, the oxygen released promotes cutaneous blood circulation and facilitates the metabolism and absorption of inflammatory mediators, thus achieving anti‑inflammatory and antibacterial effects [7].

Therefore, leveraging the exceptional penetration efficacy of the Shuminzhixing device, this study employed it to deliver a medical skincare product with excellent reparative and moisturizing properties—Shumin Moisturizing Agent—into damaged skin, in order to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of this technique for treating facial sensitive skin. The results showed that, at weeks 1, 2, and 4 of treatment, the radiofrequency group exhibited significantly higher response rates (48.97%, 73.47%, and 89.80%, respectively) compared with the control group (16.33%, 30.61%, and 38.76%, respectively), with all differences reaching statistical significance (P < 0.05). Thus, on the basis of topical moisturizing skincare agents that repair the skin barrier, The clinical efficacy of the combination of Shuminzhixing radiofrequency technology and hydroxychloroquine is significantly superior to that of hydroxychloroquine alone. In our study, we found that most patients experienced immediate relief from common skin‑sensitivity symptoms—such as dryness, stinging, warmth, flushing, and tightness—following treatment. Moreover, owing to the technique’s non‑invasive nature, comfort, and rapid efficacy, it has been well received by patients with sensitive skin.

The superior efficacy of this technology compared to hydroxychloroquine alone may be attributed to the ultra‑strong ionization principle of Shumin Zhi Xing, which enhances its penetrating power. This enables the soothing and moisturizing agent to rapidly and effectively penetrate deep into the skin’s basal layer, delivering immediate anti‑inflammatory, hydrating, and barrier‑repairing benefits. The Shuminzhixing radiofrequency technology employed in this study has been well received by a broad patient population. This technique merits clinical adoption and wider dissemination.