Long pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser treatment for wrinkle reduction and skin laxity: evaluation of new parameters.

INTRODUCTION: Among non-ablative devices for wrinkle reduction and skin laxity, long pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser (LPND) has considerable effectiveness. It can penetrate to deep dermis due to its longer wavelength. This study assesses the efficacy and safety of LPND applying new parameters for skin rejuvenation in Korean subjects. METHODS: A prospective randomized split-faced study was done (n = 20). Half of the face was treated with three passes of LPND at a spot size of 12 mm, 20-24 J/cm(2) fluence, 12 ms width, and frequency of 2 Hz, for three sessions, every four weeks. Outcomes were measured by wrinkle evaluation of blinded investigators, subjects' self-assessment, objective measurements of elasticity, and skin biopsy. RESULTS: Four weeks after the final treatment sessions, the average wrinkle grades of the treated side were reduced by 45.1%. Skin elasticity was significantly increased. The increment of collagen and elastic fiber in papillary dermis was confirmed histologically. No adverse reaction was reported. Pain on the treated side was mild without needing anesthesia. DISCUSSION: The authors studied new parameters for LPND for improvement of wrinkles and skin laxity with fewer treatment sessions without serious complications. Histologic findings corresponded to clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: New parameters of LPND can achieve wrinkle improvement with few side effects.

A fractional 2940 nm short-pulsed, erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser is effective and minimally invasive for the treatment of photodamaged skin in Asians.

BACKGROUND: Although ablative fractional laser for the facial photodamaged skin was effective and safe, there have been only limited reports regarding the efficacy and safety of fractional Er:YAG laser treatments for photodamaged facial skin in Asians. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of the Er:YAG laser (2940 nm) using the ''ablative'' fractional resurfacing mode to treat photodamaged facial skin. METHODS: A total of 29 Korean patients were treated for photodamaged facial skin using a fractional Er:YAG laser. The number of treatments was mean 2.3 sessions at two-week intervals. Independent investigators assessed the efficacy using standardized photographs. The patients' satisfaction rate was also evaluated. RESULTS: For dyspigmentation, 62.5% of the treated patients showed improvement greater than 26%. Regarding wrinkles, 50% of the treated patients showed improvement greater than 26%. All patients showed various degrees of improvement in skin laxity. Assessing the overall features, 62.5% of the study subjects showed improvement greater than 26%, and most of them (91.7%) reported that their subjective satisfaction rate was above 'slight satisfaction'. Downtime accounted for approximately one week in most patients. CONCLUSIONS: A fractional Er:YAG laser can deliver an effective and minimally invasive treatment for photodamaged facial skin in Asians.