Treatment of facial photodamage and rhytides using a novel 1,565 nm non-ablative fractional erbium-doped fiber laser

• Published in: Lasers in surgery and medicine Vol. 48; no. 2; pp. 174 - 180
• Main Authors: Friedmann, Daniel P., Tzu, Julia E., Kauvar, Arielle N.B., Goldman, Mitchel P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Cosmetic Techniques - instrumentation; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures - instrumentation; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures - methods; Dermis - surgery; Female; Follow-Up Studies; fractional resurfacing; Humans; Lasers, Solid-State; Middle Aged; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Prospective Studies; Skin Aging; wrinkles; wrinkles; fractional resurfacing
• ISSN: 0196-8092; 1096-9101; 1096-9101
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.22461

Background and Objective Non‐ablative fractional lasers (NAFL) generate microscopic non‐contiguous columns of thermal injury in the dermis, resulting in collagen remodeling. This manuscript details our experience with a novel 1,565 nm scanned, erbium‐doped fiber NAFL for the treatment of facial photodamage. Study Design/Materials and Methods A prospective, open‐label clinical trial was conducted at two clinical sites in the United States on 16 female subjects with a mean age of 49.6 years, Fitzpatrick skin types II to IV, and a baseline Fitzpatrick–Goldman Wrinkle and Elastosis Score (FGWES) of 3–6. Each subject received three treatments at 4–5 week intervals with follow‐up assessments at 1, 3, and 6 months after the last treatment. Results The mean FGWES demonstrated a statistically significant decrease from baseline both at 3 months (−0.58 ± 0.23, P = 0.02) and 6 months (−0.66 ± 0.22, P = 0.008) after the last treatment. Fifty percent (95%CI [24.21%, 68.49%]) of subjects showed a significant (at least 1 grade) improvement in FGWES from baseline at 3‐month follow‐up. At least 72% of subjects perceived the results as “moderate” to “very good” at 3 months post‐treatment, with comparable satisfaction rates. Treatments were not associated with a high level of pain or discomfort and typical downtime was less than 2 days. No unexpected adverse events or serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion The 1,565 nm erbium‐doped scanned NAFL is an effective treatment for facial wrinkles with a favorable recovery and side effect profile. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:174–180, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.