Three-dimensional analysis for measuring volumetric changes after a noninvasive treatment performed with a new system delivering microwave energy for unwanted abdominal fat reduction.

BACKGROUND: A growing demand for aesthetic treatments for localized abdominal unwanted fat has developed as a healthy lifestyle is not always able to improve abdomen appearance. AIMS: The purpose of this retrospective nonrandomized observational study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new device delivering microwaves energy for unwanted fat reduction, using three-dimensional (3D) imaging analysis. METHODS: Twenty patients (both female and male) were treated in the abdominal area. Subjects received 4 treatments with the study device. Follow-up evaluations were conducted to estimate safety and efficacy. A Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used for pain assessment. Patient's 3D imaging analysis was performed at baseline and at 3 months follow-up. Finally, a satisfaction questionnaire was filled in by all the patients. RESULTS: All subjects completed the whole cycle of treatments and presented for the follow-up visits. Analysis of 3D imaging yielded a significantly reduction in circumference (cm) and volume (cm3 ), passing, respectively, from 85.2 ± 8.1 cm and 1950.6 ± 471.0 cm3 at baseline to 80.8 ± 8.2 cm and 1728.9 ± 490.9 cm3 (p < 0.001) at 3-months follow-up after the last treatment. According to the NRS results, the treatment was well tolerated. From the analysis of the satisfaction questionnaire the 90% of patients are interested in carrying out the same treatment in other body areas. CONCLUSION: With the use of three-dimensional imaging techniques, the efficacy of a new system delivering microwaves energy for the reduction of abdominal volume correlated to a subdermal fat reduction while preserving/improving skin tightening, was quantitatively and objectively demonstrated.

Picosecond laser versus historical responses to Q-switched lasers for tattoo treatment.

BackgroundTattooing is increasingly common among adolescents and young adults. This study explores the clinical efficacy of picosecond laser for the correction of tattoos. Literature suggests that 25-47% of the population have had a tattoo at some point in their life (1). The incidence is slightly higher in adults 18-35 years (22-47%) compared to college students (18-25 years of age(1, 2). Recent surveys report 25% of tattooed adults expressing regret, while 4% of tattooed students had already undergone some form of tattoo-removal procedure (3). A common request for tattoo removal includes poorly executed tattoos, avoidance of stigmatization, trauma, socially inappropriate, and employment. Several procedures have been proposed to remove tattoos including cryosurgery, thermal cautery, or surgical resection (4). A major disadvantage of these methods is that they are all highly operator dependent, and carry a very high risk of residual scarring, residual pigment being left behind "ghosting" (3). In addition, some opt to cover the unwanted tattoo with another design, which results in layered tattoos that are substantially harder to manage. Laser surgery, in skilled hands, is an effective method for tattoo removal and traditionally, this is performed with Quality-Switched Laser, where energy liberatred in the nanosecond range results in a selective photothermal effect (5). Picosecond laser is a more recent innovation that results in energy released in a picosecond timescale (a time interval 1000 times shorter).One potential disavantage of laser therapy for the effacement of cutaneous tattoos is the length of treatment and associated cost, which might dissuade the patient from following through to completion of treatment, limiting potential benefits whilst still being exposed to risk of harm. (5, 6). Recent studies suggest that picosecond laser result in substantially reduced treatment times, whilst achieving an identical or more effective end result (7-9). However, these studies are limited by very small sample size and follow-up.

New Developments for Fractional Co2 Resurfacing for Skin Rejuvenation and Scar Reduction.

Fractional CO2 procedures are an established, safe and effective armamentarium for managing skin rejuvenation and scarring. Very short-pulse-duration devices offer a very high ablated volume/ablated surface ratio, inducing a controlled thermal damage. With this kind of device, each procedure can be customized on the features of the skin of each patient. The same device can be used to treat severe burn scars. With a very deep fractional procedure on a scar tissue, immediate relaxation of the tension and retraction forces may be obtained, and downstream, improvements are related more to the activation of a molecular cascade. The authors review the state-of-the-art, in the use of fractioned CO2 laser technology for aesthetic and scar remodelling indications.