Abstract:
The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for selective applying energy to a patients dermis tissue to generate the growth of new collagen in this tissue, while minimizing the effect on the outer epidermis layer, thereby minimizing or suppressing the wound healing phase of the procedure. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes positioning a first electrode adjacent to, or in contact with, a region on or within a patients skin, and applying a sufficient high frequency voltage between the first electrode and a second electrode to create a heat injury to a target tissue within the patients dermis layer without ablating the epidermis layer overlying the target tissue. Typically, the voltage applied to the first and second electrodes is sufficient to induce heating of the dermis layer to about 60Â-80Â C. , preferably about 65Â-75Â C.