Use of cutaneous lasers and light sources: appropriate training and delegation.

In recent years, there has been increasing concern among physicians, patient advocacy groups, and media watchdogs that laser, light, and cosmetic surgery are being practiced by poorly trained professionals, with resulting preventable injuries to patients. In response, several professional organizations have developed guidelines for the delegation of laser services to nonphysician providers. These guidelines delineate appropriate qualifications for delegating physicians and nonphysician providers, and also describe the circumstances and settings in which delegation is appropriate.

Treatment of acne scarring.

Acne scarring is common but surprisingly difficult to treat. Scars can involve textural change in the superficial and deep dermis, and can also be associated with erythema, and less often, pigmentary change. In general, treatment of acne scarring is a multistep procedure. First, examination of the patient is necessary to classify the subtypes of scarring that are present. Then, the patient's primary concerns are elicited, and the patient is offered a menu of procedures that may address the various components of the scarring process. It is important to emphasize to the patient that acne scarring can be improved but never entirely reversed.

The use of lasers for decorative tattoo removal.

As the incidence of tattoo placement continues to increase, so does the demand for tattoo removal, with more than 10 million people in the US alone with a tattoo. Used in an appropriate clinical setting, Q-switched lasers provide relatively efficacious clearance of decorative tattoo pigment with minimal side-effects. We present our clinical experience along with literature findings on decorative tattoo removal and the important issues practitioners should consider in the management of tattoos.

Fractional Laser treatment for pigmentation and texture improvement.

Fractional laser treatment with the 1,550 nm erbium fiber laser (Fraxel Laser, Reliant Technologies) has bridged the gap between the ablative and nonablative laser modalities used to treat the epidermal and dermal signs of skin aging. By targeting water as its chromophore, the laser induces a dense array of microscopic, columnar thermal zones of tissue injury that do not perforate or impair the function of the epidermis. The significant skin remodeling that ensues can be used to treat, with limited downtime, epidermal pigmentation, melasma, and rhytides, as well as textural abnormalities that include acne-related and surgical scars.

The use of lasers in the pediatric population.

Over the past 2 decades, there have been numerous advances in laser therapy of birth-marks in the pediatric population. Concerns regarding efficacy, overall benefit, and side-effects linger. We present our opinion, based upon decades of clinical experience, on the role of lasers to treat port wine stains, superficial hemangiomas, and café au lait macules in children.

Clinical Use of RESTYLANE.

There is no ideal filler, nor will there be a single product that can satisfy all requirements. However, RESTYLANE, a non-animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA, Medicis), is a very versatile augmenting agent. It has been in clinical use for 8 years and experience has shown it to be close to the ideal filler in many respects. This review will outline the background to the use of RESTYLANE, and will focus on the clinical use of this material.

Selective photothermolysis of cutaneous pigmentation by Q-switched Nd: YAG laser pulses at 1064, 532, and 355 nm.

Exposure of skin to nanosecond-domain laser pulses affects the pigmentary system by a process called selective photothermolysis, in which melanosomes and pigmented cells are preferentially altered. Due to the broad absorption spectrum of melanin, this effect may occur with wavelengths that penetrate to vastly different depths within tissue, potentially producing different biologic responses. The effects of single near-ultraviolet (355 nm), visible (532 nm), and near infrared (1064 nm) pulses of 10-12 nsec duration were determined in guinea pig skin using gross, histologic, and electron microscopic observations. Threshold response in pigmented skin was a transient immediate ash-white discoloration, requiring 0.11, 0.20, and 1.0 J/cm2, at 355, 532, and 1064 nm, respectively. At each wavelength, melanosomes were ruptured within keratinocytes and melanocytes, with cytoplasmic and nuclear alterations. Delayed epidermal depigmentation occurred, followed by gradual repigmentation. Deep follicular cells were altered only at 532 and 1064 nm, which produced permanent leukotrichia. The action spectrum for threshold response was consistent with mechanisms implied by selective photothermolysis. These data may be useful for consideration of treatment for cutaneous pigmentation abnormalities or unwanted follicular pigmentation, or both.

Melanosomes are a primary target of Q-switched ruby laser irradiation in guinea pig skin.

The specific targeting of melanosomes may allow for laser therapy of pigmented cutaneous lesions. The mechanism of selective destruction of pigmented cells by various lasers, however, has not been fully clarified. Black, brown, and albino guinea pigs were exposed to optical pulses at various radiant exposure doses from a Q-switched, 40 nsec, 694 nm ruby laser. Biopsies were analyzed by light and electron microscopy (EM). Albino animals failed to develop clinical or microscopic evidence of cutaneous injury after irradiation. In both black and brown animals, the clinical threshold for gross change was 0.4 J/cm2, which produced an ash-white spot. By light microscopy, alterations appeared at 0.3 J/cm2 and included separation at the dermoepidermal junction, and the formation of vacuolated epidermal cells with a peripheral cytoplasmic condensation of pigment. By EM, enlarged melanosomes with a central lucent zone were observed within affected epidermal cells at 0.3 J/cm2. At 0.8 and 1.2 J/cm2, individual melanosomes were more intensely damaged and disruption of melanosomes deep in the hair papillae was observed. Dermal-epidermal blisters were formed precisely at the lamina lucida, leaving basal cell membranes and hemidesmosomes intact. Possible mechanisms for melanosomal injury are discussed. These observations show that the effects of the Q-switched ruby laser are melanin-specific and melanin-dependent, and may be useful in the selective destruction of pigmented as well as superficial cutaneous lesions.

Cutaneous manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Part I.

The prevalence of dermatologic problems during the course of human immunodeficiency virus infection makes knowledge of these skin manifestations imperative to all practicing dermatologists. Detection of early infection is encouraged as effective therapy now exists both to delay the progression of human immunodeficiency virus-induced immunodeficiency and to prevent opportunistic infections. Skin manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection discussed in this article include the following groups: neoplastic, ie, Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphoma, and squamous cell carcinoma; infectious, ie, viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal, and arthropod infestations; and a miscellaneous group including papulosquamous, papular, vascular, autoimmune, oral, and drug-related skin disorders.

Transfusion-associated graft-vs-host disease in patients with malignancies. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

Graft-vs-host disease can develop in immunosuppressed individuals who receive blood-product transfusions that contain immunocompetent lymphocytes. We report two cases of fatal transfusion-associated graft-vs-host disease that developed in patients with Hodgkin's disease who were undergoing therapy. We review all cases of this entity in patients with malignancies, represented predominantly by patients with hematologic malignancies. The groups at risk for development of transfusion-associated graft-vs-host disease, the clinical presentation and course, and methods of diagnosis are summarized. Prevention of this highly fatal condition is possible by irradiation of blood products given to patients at risk, but problems remain in determining the groups that warrant such measures. Dermatologists need to have heightened awareness of this entity to facilitate more complete diagnosis and allow establishment of effective standards of care.

Palisaded encapsulated neuromas. A clinicopathologic study.

Reed et al described the clinical and light-microscopic findings of palisaded encapsulated neuromas in 1972, but few cases have been reported since. We have studied 81 consecutive tumors. Clinically, these were solitary, asymptomatic, 2- to 6-mm, flesh-colored papules, usually located on the face of middle-aged patients. The correct diagnosis was rarely made; the lesion was most often mistaken for a basal cell epithelioma, melanocytic nevus, or other benign tumor. Light microscopy revealed single or multiple encapsulated dermal lobules composed of interlacing Schwann cells. Variable numbers of fine axons and myelin sheath remnants were present. Palisading of nuclei was not a prominent feature. Electron microscopy demonstrated substantial numbers of class C fibers (mostly nonmyelinated) only partially enveloped by Schwann cell cytoplasm. Pathologically, palisaded encapsulated neuromas are distinctive true neuromas resembling those seen in the multiple mucosal neuroma syndrome. Electron-microscopic findings are similar to those seen in peripheral nerve regeneration, suggesting that palisaded encapsulated neuromas may be traumatic in origin, and could represent regeneration following local minor injury to the skin.

Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis. Coexistence with other porokeratotic variants.

The coexistence of disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) with other variants of porokeratosis is rare. We report three such cases: DSAP with porokeratosis of Mibelli; DSAP with linear porokeratosis; and DSAP occurring in the mother of a girl with linear porokeratosis. Although different areas of skin and different family members usually express the same morphological variant, we suggest that the simultaneous expression of two closely linked gene loci could explain the coexistence of different porokeratotic variants.

Low-fluence carbon dioxide laser irradiation of lentigines.

Low-fluence carbon dioxide (CO2) laser irradiation of skin has previously been shown to induce damage limited primarily to the epidermis. To evaluate whether this technique was therapeutically effective for pigmented epidermal lesions, ten lentigines caused by methoxsalen and ultraviolet light therapy were treated in one patient using the CO2 laser at fluences ranging from 3.0 to 7.7 J/cm2 for 0.1-s exposures with 4.5-mm spot size. Based on substantial clearing in seven of ten lesions treated, 146 solar lentigines were treated in five patients at fluences of 3.0, 3.7, or 4.4 J/cm2. Biopsies were performed on a total of 30 lesions immediately and 24 hours, seven days, and six weeks after irradiation. Of 125 lesions followed up clinically for six weeks, 12 cleared completely, 81 lightened substantially, and 28 remained unchanged. Only two demonstrated atrophic change. Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation did not occur. All lesions that improved had been treated at 3.7 or 4.4 J/cm2. Immediate histologic injury consisted of vacuolar and spindly change and subsequent vesiculation limited to the basilar epidermis. Twenty-four hours later there was epidermal necrosis with regeneration, 0.1 mm of dermal basophilia and stromal condensation, and a mild inflammatory infiltrate. These alterations were dose-dependent, with near complete epidermal necrosis and superficial dermal involvement at the highest fluence, and only focal epidermal necrosis at the lowest. At seven days, epidermal regeneration was complete with traces of melanin remaining in keratinocytes. Melanophages first appeared at seven days and persisted at six weeks, by which time the inflammatory infiltrate had cleared. No lentiginous proliferation was evident and epidermal pigmentation had become normal. Low-fluence CO2 laser irradiation is an effective means of damaging the epidermis with only minimal dermal change. This mode of therapy is an effective way to lighten the pigmentation of lentigines without substantial scarring.

Q-switched ruby laser irradiation of normal human skin. Histologic and ultrastructural findings.

The Q-switched ruby laser is used for treatment of tatoos. The effects of Q-switched ruby laser pulses on sun-exposed and sun-protected human skin, as well as senile lentigines, were investigated with clinical observation, light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. A pinpricklike sensation occurred at radiant exposures as low as 0.2 J/cm2. Immediate erythema, delayed edema, and immediate whitening occurred with increasing radiant exposure. The threshold for immediate whitening varied inversely with skin pigmentation, ranging from a mean of 1.4 J/cm2 in lentigines to 3.1 J/cm2 in sun-protected skin. Transmission electron microscopy showed immediate alteration of mature melanosomes and nuclei within keratinocytes and melanocytes, but stage I and II melanosomes were unaffected. Histologically, immediate injury was confined to the epidermis. There was minimal inflammatory response 1 day after exposure. After 1 week, subthreshold exposures induced hyperpigmentation, with epidermal hyperplasia and increased melanin staining noted histologically. At higher radiant exposures, hypopigmentation occurred with desquamation of a pigmented scale/crust. All sites returned to normal skin color and texture without scarring within 3 to 6 months. These observations suggest that the human skin response to selective photothermolysis of pigmented cells is similar to that reported in animal models, including low radiant exposure stimulation of melanogenesis and high radiant exposure lethal injury to pigmented epidermal cells.

Evaluation of a silicone occlusive dressing after laser skin resurfacing.

BACKGROUND: Closed dressings are thought to promote postoperative wound healing after laser skin resurfacing; however, quantitative data are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative healing after combination carbon dioxide and erbium:YAG full-face laser skin resurfacing in patients who were treated with a silicone occlusive dressing (Silon-TSR; Bio Med Sciences, Inc, Bethlehem, Pa) vs open-wound care consisting of soaks and ointment application. DESIGN: Thirty-five patients with closed dressings compared retrospectively with 35 control subjects with open-wound care. In a prospective evaluation, 27 patients with closed dressings were then compared with 27 historical controls matched by age, sex, skin type, and treatment technique. Erythema, crusting, swelling, pain, pruritus, purpura, long-term complications, and dressing comfort were evaluated. SETTING: Referral-based academic practice. RESULTS: Prospectively, closed-dressing and open-wound care groups differed significantly in maximum erythema severity (1.8 vs 2.0 on a scale of 0-3; P =.03), noticeable erythema duration (15.4 vs 31.1 days; P =.04), and time until complete erythema resolution (41.8 vs 96.1 days; P =.02). Swelling resolution was more rapid in the dressing group (12.1 vs 29.5 days; P =.02). Crusting was limited to uncovered areas in the dressing group, and crusting duration was shorter (5.0 vs 9.1 days; P<.001). Pain was more likely to be reported prospectively, but severity was mild, in the closed-dressing group. Other short- and long-term complications did not differ significantly. Subjective patient attitudes toward the dressing were positive. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusive silicone dressing application decreases immediate postoperative morbidity with significantly reduced severity and duration of erythema and decreased duration of swelling and crusting. Long-term results and complication rates remain unchanged.

Treatment of tattoos by Q-switched ruby laser. A dose-response study.

Tattoo treatment with Q-switched ruby laser pulses (694 nm, 40 to 80 nanoseconds) was studied by clinical assessment and light and electron microscopy. Fifty-seven blue-black tattoos or portions thereof (35 amateur and 22 professional) were irradiated with 1.5 to 8.0 J/cm2 at a mean interval of 3 weeks. Substantial lightening or total clearing occurred in 18 (78%) of 23 amateur tattoos and 3 (23%) of 13 professional tattoos in which the protocol was completed. Response was related to exposure dose. Scarring occurred in one case, and persistent confettilike hypopigmentation was frequent. Optimal fluence was 4 to 8 J/cm2. Clinicohistologic correlation was poor. Q-switched ruby laser pulses can provide an effective treatment for tattoos.

Pigmented guinea pig skin irradiated with Q-switched ruby laser pulses. Morphologic and histologic findings.

Q-switched ruby laser pulses cause selective damage to cutaneous pigmented cells. Repair of this selective damage has not been well described. Therefore, using epilated pigmented and albino guinea pig skin, we studied the acute injury and tissue repair caused by 40-ns, Q-switched ruby laser pulses. Gross observation and light and electron microscopy were performed. No specific changes were evident in the albino guinea pigs. In pigmented animals, with radiant exposures of 0.4 J/cm2 or greater, white spots confined to the 2.5-mm exposure sites developed immediately and faded over 20 minutes. Delayed depigmentation occurred at seven to ten days, followed by full repigmentation by four to eight weeks. Regrowing hairs in sites irradiated at and above 0.4 J/cm2 remained white for at least four months. Histologically, vacuolation of pigment-laden cells was seen immediately in the epidermis and the follicular epithelium at exposures of 0.3 J/cm2 and greater. Melanosomal disruption was seen immediately by electron microscopy at and above 0.3 J/cm2. Over the next seven days, epidermal necrosis was followed by regeneration of a depigmented epidermis. By four months, melanosomes and melanin pigmentation had returned; however, hair follicles remained depigmented and devoid of melanocytes. This study demonstrates that selective melanosomal disruption caused by Q-switched ruby laser pulses leads to transient cutaneous depigmentation and persistent follicular depigmentation. Potential exists for selective treatment of pigmented epidermal and dermal lesions with this modality.

A clinical overview of hair removal using lasers and light sources.

The tremendous demand for removal of unwanted hair has led to the development of a wide range of noninvasive, user-friendly laser and light source systems; however, despite considerable advances in this field, these devices still have the potential to cause injury when used improperly. It is important to follow precise treatment guidelines in order to attain optimal results. This article gives an overview of the currently available lasers and light sources. It focuses on the practical aspect of laser hair removal by discussing patient selection, safety precautions, techniques using the different systems, pre- and post-laser treatment care, proper treatment endpoints, expected outcome, and possible side-effects and complications.

Basic laser principles.

Skin diseases have been treated with lasers since the early 1960s. The three principal chromophores in the skin--hemoglobin, melanin, and water--have different absorption spectra that selectively absorb certain wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. A given wavelength and pulse duration will selectively treat a target containing a chromophore. The wide variety of lasers and their applications are discussed.

Laser skin resurfacing.

There has always been interest in looking younger, but recently there seems to have been an explosion of public interest in facial rejuvenation. Physicians have been treating photodamaged skin for many years by removing the epidermis and a variable thickness of dermis with dermabrasion or chemical peels, with the expectation that reepithialization and collagen remodeling will result in a more youthful appearance. With the recent development of short-pulsed high-peak power and rapidly scanned carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, the ability to remove photodamaged skin in a precise and reproducible manner while leaving behind a narrow zone of thermal damage has been achieved. This development has generated tremendous interest in laser skin resurfacing as a technique to reverse photoaging.