2.1.2 Thermal containment

The RF energy is high frequency electrical current that travels in a wave form and oscillates between the internal and external electrode at a frequency of 1 million cycles per second. The RF energy oscillates molecular structures in its path 1 million time per second, generating intermolecular kinetic energy and heat. The heat can be necrotic and ablative in nature (near the tip) or sub necrotic, nonablative tissue heating (the external electrode). The RF flows from the small, internal electrode with a smaller, more focused tip and high power density to the larger, lower power density external electrode providing "thermal containment", or heating energy between the two electrodes, with very little heating below the internal electrode, which is a safety feature when performing RFAL around delicate structures like the face and neck where there is a the Facial nerve that is under the investing fascia of the facial muscles and is sensitive to thermal stimulation if there were significant heat flowing below the internal electrode.
