Nonablative Fractional Diode Laser Resurfacing (1440 nm and 1927 nm) for Photoaged Skin.

BACKGROUND: Nonablative lasers treat photoaged skin and stimulate new collagen formation while sparing epidermal damage. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of nonablative fractional diode combination laser skin resurfacing treatment (1440 and 1927 nm) in mild-to-moderate photoaged skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The entire face was treated with both 1440-nm and 1927-nm wavelengths per treatment, with a total of 4 treatments spaced 1 month apart. Follow-up occurred at 1 and 3 months post-treatment. Outcomes were improvement in the appearance of ≥1 measure of photodamage (rhytides, skin texture, dyschromia/pigment, skin radiance, pore size, and overall appearance) at the 3-month (primary) and 1-month (secondary) follow-up visits. Safety was monitored throughout the study. RESULTS: Participants (N = 28; 89% female; mean age, 40 years) experienced significant mean improvement from baseline in all measures of photodamage with combination laser treatment at 1 and 3 months post-treatment (all p < .001). No serious adverse events occurred. Post-treatment erythema and edema were minimal, and pain levels remained consistent throughout treatment. Most participants (96.4%) considered their overall appearance as improved and expressed satisfaction with treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION: Nonablative combination laser skin resurfacing treatment was well tolerated and significantly improved measures of photodamage in photoaged skin across diverse skin types.

Complications of Chemical Peels, Lasers, and Energy-Based Device Procedures Performed by Core Cosmetic Physicians: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: There has been a proliferation of physicians of different levels of experience and training offering nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. Rising demand, compounded by increasing utilization of new and existing technologies by numerous physician specialties, compels discussion of adequate standardized training and patient safety. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients who presented to our single site dermatology clinic for managment of complications following chemical peel, laser or energy-based device treatments performed by core cosmetic physicians between the years of 2013 and 2024 was conducted. Core cosmetic physicians included plastic surgery, facial surgery/otolaryngology, oculoplastic surgery, and dermatology. Charts were reviewed for documentation of the type of complication, procedure causing the complication, and physician credentials, and referral source. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were identified as having complications from chemical peeling, laser treatment or energy-based devices. Devices implicated included CO2 laser (fractional or fully ablative), chemical peels, 1064 nm long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser, 1320 nm Nd:YAG laser, intense pulsed light, 595 nm pulsed dye laser, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, radiofrequency with and without microneedling, and 1550 nm erbium-doped fiber laser. Complications included hypertrophic scarring, atrophic scarring, post-inflammatory erythema, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and post-inflammatory hypopigmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Even in experienced hands, complications can arise. It is imperative that all physicians offering cosmetic treatments are equipped to recognize clinical endpoints, identify and manage complications, or make a timely referral to decrease the risk of a permanent and potentially devastating esthetic outcome for patients.

Efficacy of 785-nm Picosecond Titanium Sapphire Laser for Treatment of Brown Nevus of Ota Lesions in FST II-V: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nevus of Ota (NOTA) is a dermal melanocytosis acquired in early childhood or pregnancy. Given their color variability, NOTA often require a combination of wavelengths for successful treatment. Quality-switched lasers have consistently shown efficacy in targeting dermal pigment, while picosecond lasers (PSLs) are an emerging technology for pigmentary disorders. OBJECTIVE: To further elucidate its efficacy, the authors conducted a retrospective review of 17 patients with NOTA treated with a 785-nm PSL for brown NOTA lesions between 2021 and 2023. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary end point analyzed clinical improvement based on before and after photography reviewed by 3 board-certified dermatologists using a five-point visual analog scale. RESULTS: Seventeen patients of Fitzpatrick skin types (FSTs) II to V, ranging from ages 14 to 38 years, were included in this study. Patients were treated for an average of 3.2 sessions in 2 to 3-month intervals. Visual analog scale scores demonstrated a mean clearance of 51% to 75%. No pigmentary alterations were noted. CONCLUSION: Because NOTA is common in higher FSTs, the authors believe that the 785-nm PSL is an excellent treatment option for brown NOTA in these skin types. This study highlights the need for further investigation to determine optimal treatment parameters for the color-based laser treatment approach for NOTA.

Histological analysis of laser-enabled tissue coring with a novel 2910 nm erbium-doped fluoride glass fiber laser.

OBJECTIVES: There remains an unmet need for a laser-enabled tissue coring device that can effectively improve face and neck skin laxity and rhytides. We investigate a novel 2910 nm erbium-doped fluoride glass fiber laser (2910 nm fiber laser) (UltraClear; Acclaro Medical) for laser-coring of submental tissue. METHODS: Five subjects, Glogau scale III-IV, were treated with a single pulse of the laser-coring mode of the 2910 nm fiber laser in the submentum. A 4 mm punch biopsy was immediately performed. Biopsy specimens were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and placed on glass slides. All sections were reviewed, and sections containing the center of the transected core were analyzed for depth and diameter of the ablative microchannel and width of the surrounding zone of coagulation. RESULTS: A total of 15 intact micro-cores were analyzed. Histological analysis revealed an average ± standard deviation microchannel diameter of 242.5 ± 65.2 µm, an average ablative depth of 980 ± 318.8 µm, and an average zone of coagulation of 104 ± 32 µm. CONCLUSIONS: Laser-enabled tissue coring with a novel 2910 nm fiber laser can safely achieve a wider microchannel diameter with ablative depth extending to the mid and deep dermis, which has the potential for collagen contraction and tissue tightening. Laser-coring to this ablation diameter and depth and with the surrounding zone of coagulation was found to be safe without adverse effects of post-inflammatory erythema or scarring in our study.

Full-face and neck resurfacing with a novel ablative fractional 2910 nm erbium-doped fluoride glass fiber laser for advanced photoaging.

OBJECTIVES: Ablative fractional lasers have long been considered the gold standard for facial resurfacing for advanced photoaging. These lasers offer an improved safety profile compared to traditional ablative lasers but typically require more treatment sessions given their fractional approach. In this study, we evaluate a new novel 2910 nm erbium-doped fluoride glass fiber laser (2910 nm fiber laser) (UltraClear; Acclaro Medical) for full-face and neck resurfacing for the treatment of advanced photoaging. METHODS: Twenty-two healthy subjects aged 44-80 years presenting for advanced facial photoaging and rhytides were enrolled in the study. All subjects received three full-face and neck, multipass treatments utilizing the 2910 nm fiber laser spaced 6-8 weeks apart. Subjects were asked to rate the average level of pain during the treatment. At 90 days following subjects' third treatment subjects evaluated their improvement using a Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) and rated their satisfaction with the treatment. Evaluation of pretreatment and posttreatment photos was completed by two blinded physician reviewers. Reviewers were asked to identify the pretreatment and posttreatment photographs and to rate the degree of improvement utilizing a GAIS. RESULTS: Fifteen participants completed the study; six were exited from the study (withdrew or lost to follow-up). The average subject GAIS score for overall appearance was 3.8. The average subject satisfaction level at follow-up was 4.8. The average subject pain score was 4.9. One blinded physician reviewer correctly identified 100% of subjects' posttreatment photographs, while the second blinded reviewer correctly identified 93%. Blinded evaluation of digital photographs revealed an average GAIS score of 3.2. Posttreatment skin responses included pin-point hemorrhage, erythema, edema, and soft tissue crusting lasting 5-7 days. There were no instances of infection, scarring or hypopigmentation. There were two instances of temporary hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with the novel 2910 nm fiber laser is safe and effective in treating advanced photoaging and rhytides. Three treatments produced moderate to marked improvement with high patient satisfaction and treatment was associated with less discomfort and downtime compared to conventional fractional ablative lasers.

The 730 nm picosecond titanium sapphire laser for treatment of café-au-lait macules in all skin types.

OBJECTIVES: Café-au-lait macules (CALM) are benign birthmarks presenting as uniformly pigmented, well demarcated, brown patches that can be distressing to patients, especially when located in cosmetically sensitive areas. As with all pigmentary lesions in skin of color patients, CALMs have been particularly challenging to treat. Here we present the first case series characterizing treatment parameters and clinical outcomes utilizing the 730-nm picosecond titanium sapphire laser for the treatment of CALMs. This device provides an additional safe and effective treatment option for these challenging cases. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients treated at a single institution between April 2021 and December 2023. Clinical photographs were graded by 3 outside board-certified dermatologists using a 5-point visual analog scale. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (age range: 10 months-66 years, mean age: 27.4 years, Fitzpatrick skin types II-VI) were treated for CALM on the face (11) or body (3). On average, patients received 4.3 treatments, with treatment intervals ranging from 4 to 40 weeks. Treatment remains ongoing with the 730-nm picosecond laser for eight patients. Overall, patients were rated to have a mean improvement of 26%-50%. Two patients (FST III and VI) achieved 100% clearance after 4-5 treatment sessions. Our study included four patients whose CALM were of the smooth bordered "coast of California" subtype, three of whom had a mean improvement rating of only 1%-25%. The fourth patient had near complete resolution. Follow up for these patients has ranged from 6 weeks to 1.5 years. Of the patients treated, one patient experienced transient post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and another transient post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, while a third patient experienced mild persistent guttate hypopigmentation. Three patients experienced partial recurrence indicating that maintenance treatments may be needed in some patients. CONCLUSION: The 730-nm picosecond titanium sapphire laser is a safe and efficacious treatment option, in the right morphologic setting, to improve the cosmetic appearance of CALMs in a wide range of ages and skin types. To our knowledge, this is the first reported treatment of CALMs with picosecond lasers in FST V and VI patients. Our study also supports prior studies which have found that CALM with smooth-bordered "coast of California" morphology have a poor response to laser therapy as compared to those with jagged or ill-defined bordered "coast of Maine" morphology.

Dermatology's role in the fight against human trafficking: A report from the AAD Ad Hoc Task Force and call to action.

While the majority of American Academy of Dermatology members have some broad awareness of human trafficking, most are not aware of it in their communities or of the skin signs that could prompt identification of those being exploited, and have requested educational resources to assist patients affected by trafficking. The American Academy of Dermatology Ad Hoc Task Force on Dermatologic Resources for the Intervention and Prevention of Human Trafficking has been working to develop relevant resources, including an online toolkit on the American Academy of Dermatology website: https://www.aad.org/member/clinical-quality/clinical-care/human-trafficking.

Split-face study to evaluate efficacy of global cryomodulation for reduction of pain and inflammation after nonablative fractional resurfacing.

OBJECTIVES: Cryomodulation, or the delivery of controlled cooling to downregulate inflammatory processes in the skin, has been proposed to mitigate acute side effects following various dermatologic treatments. A new controlled cooling device has been developed to deliver cryomodulation for a range of different indications. In this clinical study, we evaluate the device for the reduction of pain, erythema, and edema following nonablative fractional resurfacing (NAFR). METHODS: A single-blind, prospective, randomized, split-face study was conducted to assess the efficacy of the controlled dermal cooling device for the reduction of pain, edema, and erythema following nonablative fractional resurfacing with the dual 1550 nm erbium-doped fiber and 1927 nm thulium fiber laser. Subjects were randomized to receive a 10-min controlled cooling treatment to either the left or right side of the face immediately following full face NAFR. Pain ratings were recorded immediately postlaser treatment and immediately postcryomodulation treatment. At follow-up, subjects were surveyed for reduction of side effects and treatment satisfaction. Blinded review of photographs by two physicians was conducted to assess efficacy. RESULTS: The average pain score for subjects immediately post-NAFR was 5.15. Following cryomodulation, the average pain score on the treatment side was reduced by 69%, to an average of 1.6. The untreated side of the face was reduced by 19%, to an average of 4.2. Overall, 90% of subjects endorsed reduced discomfort. At follow-up, 70% of subjects reported a noticeable improvement in edema and 50% reported a noticeable improvement in erythema between the treatment and control sides. The average subject satisfaction score for the cryomodulation treatment was 4.2. All subjects (100%) indicated that they would elect to undergo the cryomodulation treatment again. Both blinded physician reviewers were successful in identifying the cryomodulation-treated side of the face in 70% of subjects' posttreatment photographs. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this split-face study support the efficacy of a global cryomodulation device for the reduction of pain, edema, and erythema following NAFR treatment. Cryomodulation was delivered in a simple 10 min procedure and yielded high patient satisfaction.

Delegation and oversight of non-physician practitioners in dermatology.

A rising demand for dermatologic procedures has led to a recent increase in the number of non-physician operators (NPOs) in the dermatology workforce. Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and aestheticians commonly perform procedures in both physician-based practices and medical spas with varying degrees of dermatology-specific training and physician oversight. Although the lack of regulations can negatively impact patient outcomes and adverse events, the role of NPOs in dermatology continues to grow. Among Medicare beneficiaries, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are independently billing for a growing number of dermatologic procedures, whereas the number performed by dermatologists remains relatively stable. Medical spas are an increasingly popular destination for aesthetic consumers, and the majority employ only NPOs as primary providers. Recent data suggest that compared to dermatologists, NPOs have a higher rate of adverse events. As attempts are made to standardize and improve the training requirements for dermatologic procedures, a concerted effort should be made to prioritize patient outcomes and safety.

Largest comparative analysis: Novel large spot size 595 nm, high-energy, pulsed dye laser reduces number of treatments for improvement of adult and pediatric port wine birthmarks.

OBJECTIVE: Port wine birthmarks (PWBs) are vascular malformations affecting 0.3%-0.5% of newborns with the tendency to persist into adulthood without adequate treatment of the heterogenous ectatic vessels. This study compares treatment outcomes and parameters of the prior generation pulsed dye laser (PPDL) and the larger spot novel generation pulsed dye laser (NPDL) to establish whether a larger spot size laser provides greater clearance with fewer treatments. METHODS: One hundred and sixty patients were treated with either the PPDL (80 patients) and NPDL (80 patients) with retrospective review of age, body site, laser treatment parameters, number of treatments, and improvement following laser therapy. RESULTS: Patients treated with PPDL were older on average than patients treated with NPDL (mean 24.8 ± 19.7 vs. mean 17.1± 19.3 years, p < 0.05). The majority of lesions treated with PPDL were located on the face and neck, whereas truncal and extremity sites were more frequently treated with the NPDL. Use of NPDL was associated with a mean maximum spot size of 13.1 mm and mean maximum fluence of 7.3 J/cm2 with pulse durations of 0.45-3 ms, whereas use of the PPDL was associated with a mean spot size of 10.8 mm and mean maximum fluence of 8.8 J/cm2 with pulse durations of 0.45-6 ms. Fifty percent improvement was seen with 8.8 PPDL treatments compared to 4.3 NPDL treatments (p ≤ 0.01) with no significant difference in overall mean improvement between both devices at the chosen parameters. Multiple regression analysis showed that device type, not age or lesion location, was the only statistically significant independent variable to affect the endpoint of at least 50% improvement of the lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the larger spot NPDL is associated with achieving 50% improvement with fewer treatments.

Combination 1550 nm non-ablative fractional resurfacing and laser hair removal for treatment of Becker's nevi in skin types III-VI.

OBJECTIVES: Becker's nevus is a cosmetically bothersome benign hamartoma typically associated with basal layer hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis. We herein present the largest case series characterizing treatment parameters and clinical outcomes of combined 1550 nm non-ablative fractional resurfacing and laser hair removal (long-pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet or alexandrite) in the treatment of Becker's nevus. This is also the largest case series of laser treatment of Becker's nevus in Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of patients treated between 2016 and 2021. Clinical photographs were graded by three independent physicians using a 5-point visual analog scale. RESULTS: Twelve patients (mean age: 24.8 years, Fitzpatrick skin types III-VI) were treated for Becker's nevus on the face (4) or the trunk and/or extremities (8). Four patients were Fitzpatrick skin types V or VI. On average, patients received 5.3 treatments in 1-4-month intervals. Ten of the 12 patients had concomitant laser hair removal preceding same-day non-ablative fractional resurfacing (n = 7 with long-pulsed 1064 nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet and n = 3 with long-pulsed 755 nm alexandrite). The number of treatments with each modality was determined by patient satisfaction with improvement in hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis. At follow-up, which ranged from 6 to 40 weeks (mean 10.5 weeks), patients were given a mean improvement score of 51%-75%. No long-term adverse events were encountered in either group. Limitations include a small sample size and a lack of long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: Combination 1550 nm non-ablative fractional resurfacing and laser hair removal is safe and efficacious in the cosmetic reduction of hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis associated with Becker's nevus, including those with Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI.

#CoreCosmeticSpecialties: An analysis of nonsurgical cosmetic procedure hashtags on Instagram.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we seek to characterize both the account credentials and content type for posts among the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure hashtags on Instagram. METHODS: Twenty-five hashtags related to nonsurgical cosmetic procedures were identified with over 250,000 posts each, ranging from 256,000 to 12.1 million posts per hashtag. The first 10 posts displayed under the "Top" section for each hashtag within Instagram, as sorted by Instagram's proprietary algorithm, were analyzed for account type and content type. Posts unrelated to the cosmetic procedure or with non-English captions were excluded. In total, 680 posts were queried with 250 posts meeting the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Content creators included nonphysician providers (68%), core cosmetic physicians (12%), noncore cosmetic physicians (8%), and consumers or others (13%). Content type included before and after (45%), self-promotional (23%), educational (17%), personal (5%), entertainment (5%), and promotional (5%). Among the different content creator types, core cosmetic physicians had the largest proportion of educational content at 38%. CONCLUSIONS: High-quality educational content on Instagram from core cosmetic specialties is scarce. By increasing their presence on Instagram, core cosmetic physicians can provide patient education, counteract misinformation, and raise awareness on training and qualifications regarding nonsurgical cosmetic procedures.

Treatment of Nevus of Ota in Black patients with the 1064 nm QS or picosecond laser and nonablative fractional photothermolysis.

OBJECTIVES: Nevus of Ota is a benign melanocytic lesion that presents as a unilateral blue gray to brown facial patch favoring the distribution of the first two branches of the trigeminal nerve. Incidence is highest in Asian and Black populations, however, the overwhelming majority of studies are limited to diagnosis and treatment in Asian patients. We herein present 10 Black patients with Fitzpatrick skin types (FST) V and VI who underwent laser treatment for Nevus of Ota. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of Black patients presenting with Nevus of Ota. Race was self-designated by all patients and documented in the medical record at the time of initial consultation. Primary outcomes were based on improvement using before and after photographs which were graded by three independent board-certified dermatologists using a 5-point visual analog scale. RESULTS: Ten FST V or VI patients with an age range of 9 months to 45 years were treated for Nevus of Ota. All patients were treated with the 1064 nm Q-switched neodymium doped yttrium aluminum garnet (QS Nd:YAG) and on average received 4.7 treatments at 2-10 month intervals. Fluence ranged from 1.8 to 2.3 J/cm2 , and total pulse count ranged from 510.9 to 776.6. 2/10 patients were additionally treated with 1550 nm nonablative fractional resurfacing (NAFR), and 1/10 patients underwent combination therapy with both NAFR and 1064 nm picosecond laser therapy. Overall, patients saw a mean improvement of 51%-75% at follow-up 5-254 weeks (mean 51.5 weeks) after treatment. Three patients experienced mild guttate hypopigmentation in treated areas. No other long-term adverse events were encountered. CONCLUSION: 1064 nm QS Nd:YAG laser therapy is a safe and efficacious treatment for Nevus of Ota in patients with FST V and VI. When patient improvement plateaus, combining therapy with 1550 nm NAFR or transitioning to 1064 nm picosecond laser may be of benefit. Patients should be counseled on the risk of guttate hypopigmentation. This is the largest case series to date of Black patients with Nevus of Ota, highlighting the need for further investigation to determine optimal device settings and treatment parameters for this population.