ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nonablative skin tightening devices have been developed to treat facial and neck skin laxity without damage to the epidermis. There are at present two main approaches: the pioneer method by monopolar radiofrequency and the second by infrared light. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of nonablative infrared light in the treatment of facial and neck skin laxity in Type IV to V Asian skin. METHODS: This is a prospective noncomparative open study. Adult patients with facial and neck skin laxity were recruited for the study. Three treatment sessions spaced 4 weeks apart were performed. Photographic documentation was performed serially during the study period. Final clinical assessment was performed 6 months after the last treatment. Response parameters included patient self-assessment as well as doctor's assessment. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were evaluated. All patients were of Fitzpatrick skin types IV and V. Patient assessments of response at 6 months after treatment were as follows: 19% reported mild improvement, 38% reported moderate improvement, and 43% reported good improvement. Doctor's assessments of photographs before and 6 months after treatment showed observable lifting of sagging skin folds in 86% of patients. Of these, 28% were assessed as significant-mild, 38% as significant-moderate, and 19% as significant-excellent. The treatments were associated with minimal pain and edema. The main side effect was isolated superficial blistering in 7 episodes of 63 treatments performed, which resolved without scarring in all patients. CONCLUSION: Direct application of infrared light with epidermal cooling is effective in achieving mild to moderate gradual clinical improvement in the treatment of facial and neck skin laxity. The procedure is associated with minimal downtime and is safe for use in darker skin, Types IV and V.
Subject(s)
Infrared Rays/therapeutic use , Rhytidoplasty/methods , Skin Aging/radiation effects , Adult , Female , Humans , Infrared Rays/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Rejuvenation , Treatment OutcomeSubject(s)
Hydroa Vacciniforme/diagnosis , Blister/etiology , Child , Diagnosis, Differential , Ear, External/pathology , Hand/pathology , Humans , Hydroa Vacciniforme/complications , Hydroa Vacciniforme/pathology , Male , Photosensitivity Disorders/complications , Photosensitivity Disorders/diagnosis , Photosensitivity Disorders/pathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is presently little published data on the clinical effectiveness of nonablative lasers in the treatment of atrophic acne scars and the safety of their use in patients with darker skin types. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the clinical effectiveness and safety of the nonablative 1450 nm diode laser with cryogen cooling spray in the treatment of facial atrophic acne scars in Type IV-V Asian skin. METHODS: This is a prospective non-comparative open study. 4 to 6 laser treatment sessions were performed on patients with atrophic acne scars. Final clinical assessment was performed 6 months after the last treatment. RESULTS: 57 patients were evaluated. Patient's self-assessment of scar improvement as compared with doctor's assessment was as follows: patients who completed 4 treatments (15.7% vs 6.6%), patients who completed 5 treatments (20% vs 7.9%) and patients those who completed 6 treatments (17.3% vs 5.0%). Main side effects were mild to moderate pain during the procedure, transient erythema, and hyperpigmentation which occurred in 39% of treated patients. CONCLUSION: The nonablative 1450 nm diode laser may be effective in achieving mild to moderate gradual clinical improvement in the treatment of facial atrophic acne scars. The procedure is associated with minimal downtime and is safe for use in darker skin types IV and V.
