: Photo/chrono-aging is usually expressed as facial discolouration, wrinkles, redness, elastosis, laxity, and dehydration, thus representing major signs of ageing that often lead to a negative ...phycological impact on a patient's quality of life. Several types of treatment have been tested during the last decade, especially laser treatments. This article aims to share our experience in the treatment of photoaging with a new 675 nm laser source system on facial chrono-ageing.
: Thirty-five (35) patients were treated with the 675 nm laser device: 32 females (mean age 49 years) and 3 men (mean age 57 years), with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III (9% type I, 43% type II, 48% type III), facial wrinkles and hyperpigmented spots. The efficacy of this treatment was assessed using the Modified Fitzpatrick Wrinkles Scale (FWS), which was calculated before starting the treatment and after 6 months. The pain was evaluated using the VAS Pain Scale.
: All 35 patients showed a significant improvement in facial wrinkles according to the FWS (from 1.96 to 1.73 at the 3-month follow-up, up to a value of 1.43 at 6 months). In a small group of patients, it was observed that 44% of them showed vascular moderate improvement and that 13% showed a vascular marked improvement after treatment. No side effects were detected except a mild erythematous rash in two patients, and the VAS Pain scale was assessed at 1.17.
: Red Touch allows a uniform and stable result to be achieved over time with minimum discomfort.
Currently, assessment of dermal thickness in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is performed by palpation and assessment using the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS).
To verify whether high frequency ultrasound ...(US) may be a reliable and a reproducible method to measure digital dermal thickness.
In 70 patients with SSc, skin thickness was evaluated with US by 2 observers at 2 different sites on the second digit of the dominant limb to determine the interobserver variability. Patients and controls were examined twice by the first observer for intraobserver variability. Patients were divided into three subgroups according to the phase of the disease (oedematous, fibrotic or atrophic).
At both examined areas, US showed a significant dermal thickening (p<0.001) in the whole group of patients with SSc. A low intraobserver and interobserver variability was found. A highly significant correlation between the global mRSS and the local dermal thickness at the two examined sites (p=0.032, p=0.021) was detected. Skin thickness was significantly higher in the oedematous than in the fibrotic group (p<0.001) and significantly higher in the fibrotic and the oedematous group (p<0.001) than in the atrophic group (p<0.002).
US is a reliable tool giving reproducible results, and is able to detect digital dermal thickening in SSc.
Background
The spread of non‐invasive procedures for fat deposits removal has increased rapidly in recent years. In the field of esthetic medicine, high‐intensity focused electromagnetic field ...(HIFEM) technology has recently been introduced, as a tool for toning and strengthening muscles, which goes far beyond normal physical exercise.
Objective
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new device for body remodeling.
Methods
A set of 15 patients (7 males and 8 females, BMI 24.05 ± 2.01 kg m−2, age 32–57) participated in this study. Patients were enrolled at Dermatos center, Montesilvano, Abruzzo, Italy. The technology used is FMS (Flat Magnetic Stimulation): 6–8 treatment sessions were performed. The sessions must be repeated twice a week, with a minimum of 2 days between each session. Treatment duration varies from 20 to 45 min, depending on patients.
Results
During 1‐month follow‐up after the last treatment evaluations, the results showed tonification, the strengthening of muscles, and the reduction of localized adiposity. There is a significant reduction in waist circumference (80.7 ± 4.3 cm vs 77.3 ± 5.6 cm, p < 0.001). All patients showed relatively high satisfaction immediately after the last treatment.
Conclusions
Our data show that intense muscle activity is generated by FMS treatments, suggesting that this technology could be used as a convenient and effective muscle toning tool.
: Facial hypermelanosis is a major cosmetic issue that causes severe social embarrassment and psychological pain, particularly among Asians and dark-skinned individuals.
: This study assesses the ...safety and effectiveness of Q-switched 1064/532 nm nanosecond/picosecond lasers in removing benign hypermelanosis in dark-skinned individuals, evaluating the possible associated side effects.
: A total of 30 participants (80% females and 20% males) with Fitzpatrick skin types IV-V-VI who presented superficial benign hypermelanoses on the facial and décolleté area were enrolled. All patients underwent to one to two laser treatment sessions with a 1064/532 nm Q-switched laser system. Three months after the final laser session, results were assessed by comparing before- and after-treatment photos and using a quartile scale for lesion clearance (4-point Investigator Global Assessment scale).
: All patients observed global improvements in their pigmented lesions: 53% of patients achieved excellent clearance, 30% of patients achieved good to moderate clearance, 10% of patients achieved slight clearance, and 7% of patients did not respond to the therapy. No serious adverse event occurred. Photos showed the clinical improvement achieved at 3 months follow-up.
: The Q-switched 1064/532 nm laser proved to be a key tool for treating benign hypermelanosis in all skin types, including dark-skinned persons.
Lipoma is the most common benign mesenchymal tumor that is composed of mature fat cells. Subdermal laser lipoma treatment may be recommended as an alternative to surgery for its removal.
The purpose ...of the study was to investigate the efficacy of the 1,444 nm Nd:YAG laser subcutaneous intralesional application as a treatment option for lipoma.
On 60 patients (37 women and 23 men) with lipomas localized above the muscle and lipomatosis in various regions, a subcutaneous, micro-pulsed 1,444 nm Nd:YAG laser procedure was executed. Before treatment, an ultrasound was performed and the lipomas were measured. The same lighting setup and photographic tools were used to take pictures of each patient.
The lipoma reduced or completely disappeared in all cases at the last follow-up, and no infections, burns, skin lesions, episodes of severe bleeding, or other serious adverse effects were reported. The most common transient side effects were ecchymosis and edema. Partial lesion reduction refers to rare cases of lipomatosis in which the lipomas were so small that suction and accurate positioning of the capsular membrane contours were impossible.
Lipoma treatment with a 1,444 nm Nd:YAG laser is a safe and effective minimally invasive procedure without risk of scarring. For cellular disruption, laser treatment is an effective and safe option.
Background and Objectives: For many years, fully ablative laser treatments, particularly those performed with a carbon dioxide (COsub.2) laser, were regarded as the gold standard for resurfacing. ...This study’s goal is to assess the depth that can be reached by a new COsub.2 scanner system, through a skin model with greater dermal thickness, to use in the treatment of deep scarring. Materials and Methods: Male human skin tissue was laser-treated using a COsub.2 fractional laser and a new scanning system, and all samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, dehydrated using a series of crescent alcohol, embedded in paraffin, sectioned in series (4–5 µm thick), stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and then analysed under an optical microscope. Results: From the epidermis through the underlying papillary and reticular dermis to various depths of the dermis, microablation columns of damage and coagulated microcolumns of collagen were observed. The reticular dermis was fully penetrated up to 6 mm at higher energy levels (210 mJ/DOT), resulting in deeper tissue injury. Although the laser might penetrate further, the skin stops there, leaving just the fat and muscular tissue. Conclusions: The deep layers of the dermis can be penetrated by the COsub.2 laser system throughout the entire dermal thickness when using the new scanning system, suggesting that this laser’s potential impact, at the selected settings, covers all skin targets required to perform superficial or deep treatments on any dermatological issue. Finally, patients who have problems, such as morbid scar-deep complications, which affect their quality of life, are more likely to profit from this innovative technique.
Rehabilitation may contribute to the management of systemic sclerosis (SSc) dealing with disabilities due to hand involvement. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a rehabilitation ...programme based on the combination of connective tissue massage and Mc Mennell joint manipulation specifically conceived for SSc patients' hands. Forty SSc patients were enrolled: 20 (interventional group) were treated for a 9-week period (twice a week, 1 h per session) with a combination of connective tissue massage, Mc Mennell joint manipulation and home exercise programme, and 20 (control group) were assigned only to home exercise programme. Patients of both groups were assessed at baseline (T0), after 9 week (T1) and at a 9 weeks follow-up (T2). They were evaluated for quality of life by SF-36 and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), hands involvement by Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS) test, Cochin hand functional disability scale and the measurements of ROM. In the interventional group, fist closure, HAMIS test and Cochin hand functional disability scale improved at the end of the treatment (p < 0.0001) as well as HAQ, Physical Synthetic Index (PSI) and Mental Synthetic Index (MSI) of SF-36 scores (HAQ and PSI, p < 0.0001; MSI, p < 0.001). In the control group, the programme of home daily exercises improved only fist closure at the end of the treatment (p < 0.0001). The combination of connective tissue massage, Mc Mennell joint manipulation and home exercise programme is effective in the rehabilitative treatment of SSc hands. This combined treatment may lead to an improvement of hand function and quality of life.
Axillary bromhidrosis is an apocrine glands hyperactivity disease.
A total of 24 patients (15 men and 9 women) with axillary bromhidrosis underwent a laser procedure with a 1,444-nm Nd:YAG laser. ...Parameters evaluated in this study were as follows: the degree of malodor (T0, baseline; T30, after 1 month; and T180, after 6 months), postoperative pain, short-term decreased mobility (T1, after 1 day; T7, after 7 days; and T30, after 1 month), and overall satisfaction (T30, after 1 month and T180, after 6 months). A visual analog scale (VAS), from 0 to 10, was used to assess pain and decreased mobility, with lower values denoting less severity.
A total of 24 patients were followed up for 6 months after laser treatment. At baseline, all patients (100%) complained of a strong axillary malodor (mean degree of malodor at T0 = 2.0 ± 0.00). It decreased to 0.50 ± 0.64 at T30. At T180, the degree of malodor was 0.54 ± 0.57. Both T30 and T180 degrees of malodor significantly decreased from the baseline value (p < 0.01). The mean degree of patient satisfaction at T30 was 1.75 ± 0.52, and at T180, it was 1.67 ± 0.21. Among the 24 patients, eight complained of moderated pain 1 day after treatment. The pain subsided on day 7, except for two patients, with VAS = 1. Pain and mobility restrictions were in any case resolved within T30.
Treatment with a 1,444-nm Nd:YAG laser for subdermal interstitial coagulation could be a less invasive and more effective option treatment for axillary bromhidrosis.
