The CO2 laser has been used extensively in dermatological surgery over the past 30 years and is now recognised as the gold standard for soft tissue vaporization. Considering that the continuous wave ...CO2 laser delivery system and the newer “superpulsed” and scanned CO2 systems have progressively changed our practice and patient satisfaction, a long range documentation can be useful. Our experience has demonstrated that the use of CO2 laser involves a reduced healing time, an infrequent need for anaesthesia, reduced thermal damage, less bleeding, less inflammation, the possibility of intra-operative histologic and/or cytologic examination, and easy access to anatomically difficult areas. Immediate side effects have been pain, erythema, edema, typically see with older methods, using higher power. The percentage of after-treatment keloids and hypertrophic scars observed was very low (~1%) especially upon the usage of lower parameters. The recurrence of viral lesions (condylomas and warts) have been not more frequent than those due to other techniques. Tumor recurrence is minor compared with radiotherapy or surgery. This method is a valid alternative to surgery and/or diathermocoagulation for microsurgery of soft tissues. Our results are at times not consistent with those published in the literature, stressing the concept that multicentric studies that harmonization methodology and the patient selection are vital.
Lasers are considered the most efficient methods for hair reduction. The goal of these devices is to provide long‐term effects without adverse reactions. This is a randomized split‐body controlled ...study on body hair removal and pseudofolliculitis (PFC) treatment, comparing the standard single pass (SP) emission with the multipass emission (Moveo handpiece) with 755 alexandrite laser. Patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I to VI underwent laser hair removal, by treating one side of the body using the standard SP and the other side with Moveo. Treated areas included face, arms, legs, trunk, axillae and groins. Each patient underwent a minimum of three to a maximum of eight treatments, every 6 weeks, with a 6‐month follow‐up. Hair reduction, side effects, PFC severity score and patient satisfaction were recorded for all patients. Totally, 108 patients were enrolled, of whom 96 were female. The overall hair reduction rate (% ± SD), independent of skin type, was estimated as 87 ± 5.5 for standard SP and 78.5 ± 7.6 for Moveo. No significant statistically differences were found between the two groups. Side effects included pain, which was higher after standard SP (4.2 ± 0.8) than after Moveo treatment (1.5 ± 0.5). A statistical significant difference between the two devices was found (P = .0002). PFC score improved in almost all the patients. Patients declared to be satisfied with both the treatments, reporting a preference for Moveo (84% vs 16%) (P = .01). Standard SP and Moveo 755 alexandrite laser seems to be safe and effective treatments for hair removal in all Fitzpatrick skin types and for PFC. Moveo has a higher security profile with fewer side effects.
Summary
Background Numerous reports have been published on skin rejuvenation by the so‐called fractional laser device that delivers a laser beam in a dot form over a grid pattern.
Aims In this ...study, we characterized the effects of a fractional CO2 laser on atrophic acne scars at the clinical and ultrastructural levels.
Methods Seven healthy adult Japanese volunteers (aged 32–46 years, mean 37.6, five men and two women of Fitzpatrick skin type III) were recruited for this study. A fractional CO2 laser device, SmartXide DOT (DEKA, Florence, Italy), was used with irradiation parameters set as follows: output power 10 W, pulse width 600 μs, dot spacing 800 μm, and stack 2 (irradiation output power 0.91 J/cm2). A clinical examination and punch biopsy of each subject was performed before and just after the irradiation, and also at week 3 after three irradiation sessions. The biopsy specimens were stained with toluidine blue and were examined ultrastructurally.
Results Clinical improvement of the atrophic acne scars was observed at week 3 after the third irradiation session in all cases compared with the condition before treatment. Histologically, outgrowths of many degenerated elastic fibers were observed as irregular rod‐shaped masses in the superficial dermis prior to the treatment in the region of the acne scars. At week 3 after the third irradiation, the degenerated elastic fibers were no longer observed, and the elastic fibers were elaunin‐like.
Conclusions The fractional CO2 laser is considered to be very effective for treating atrophic acne scars.
Cutaneous pseudolymphoma localized to black tattoo Campolmi, Piero, MD; Bassi, Andrea, MD; Bonan, Paolo, MD ...
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology,
2011, Letnik:
65, Številka:
5
Journal Article
Background
Patients with keloids are often younger than 30 years old and have darker skin.
Aim
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CO2 laser therapy in the management of earlobe and helix keloids ...in dark subjects.
Methods
A total of 21 dark patients (five men and 16 women) presented with the earlobe and ear helix keloids, with a mean age of 30.5 (±6.7) years and with phototype between III–VI, were enrolled. In order to improve their earlobe and helix keloids, all patients underwent a single session of CO2 laser therapy immediately followed by a pulsed Dye laser procedure. A single well‐experienced doctor performed all treatment sessions and the response to treatment. Patients were followed‐up for 6 months after termination of therapy. Clinical images were examined and collected: all patients were examined clinically and with Dermoscopy.
Results
The majority of the patients treated show complete remission of keloid lesions. Clinical photographs show a visible aesthetic improvement of several types of keloids in dark subjects.
Conclusions
Our data demonstrate that this combined laser therapeutic protocol appears to be effective and well tolerated for the management of earlobe and helix keloids in dark subjects, with no high recurrence rate and avoiding the adverse effects and lengthy recovery time.
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.
Lasers are effective treatments for benign hyperpigmentations but may be difficult especially in darker skin type. In this randomized split‐face controlled study on benign hyperpigmentations and ...pigmented scars, we compare the standard Single Pass (SP) emission with the MultiPass emission (MoveoPL) 755 alexandrite laser. Patients, skin types I‐IV, with solar lentigines and ephelides of the face, chest, and hands and patients with pigmented scars of the legs, underwent laser treatment, by treating one side of the body or half scar using the SP and the other side using MoveoPL. Improvements according to a grading score system, side effects, and patient satisfaction were recorded. About 63 patients were enrolled. An overall improvement of benign hyperpigmentations and pigmented scars was recorded, with a grading score (±SD) of 2.8 ± 0.8 for SP and 3.6 ± 0.5 for MoveoPL (range, 0‐4). SP emission showed best results in skin types I‐II whereas MotusPL obtained successfully results in all the phototypes analyzed (types I‐IV). Patients preferred MoveoPL as it was associated with fewer side effects. Both standard SP and MoveoPL emission are effective and safe. MoveoPL showed a higher efficacy and safety profile for the treatment of hyperpigmentations.
Background
Blepharoplasty is one of the most popular esthetic procedures with an acceptable risk profile and a relatively quick procedure.
Methods
The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a ...new CO2 and 1540‐nm laser‐assisted blepharoplasty technique applied to the upper and lower eyelids. A total of 38 patients were enrolled. Photographs were taken before the treatment and at 6‐month follow‐up. One “blind” observer assessed the performance of this technique by ranking the results in four categories of eyelid esthetic: 1 = no or poor results (0%–25%), 2 = slight improvement (25%–50%), 3 = moderate improvement (50%–75%) and 4 = marked improvement (75%–100%). All possible complications were monitored.
Results
Thirty‐two patients (84 %) achieved marked improvement, four patients (11%) moderate improvement, two patients (5 %) slight improvement, while zero subjects (0%) poor or no improvement. No serious adverse effects were observed.
Conclusions
Our results from clinical evaluations suggest that the CO2 and 1540‐nm laser assisted blepharoplasty is proved to be a sophisticate intervention efficacious in improving the treatment of patients with various degrees of eyelid and periocular aging and also in reducing downtime.
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