Clinical Evaluation of a Non-Ablative 1940 nm Fractional Laser
November 2014 | Volume 13 | Issue 11 | 1324 | Copyright © November 2014
Lee Miller MD,1 Vineet Mishra MD,1 Salman Alsaad MD,1 Doug Winstanley MD,1 Travis Blalock MD,1
Chad Tingey MD,1 Jinze Qiu PhD,2 Sara Romine,1 E. Victor Ross MD1
1Scripps Clinic Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology, San Diego, CA
2Candela Corporation, Wayland, MA
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Non-ablative fractional lasers cause little down-time, however, some patients want more noticeable results with fewer treatments. The 1940 nm wavelength matches one of the water absorption peaks in the mid infrared band of electromagnetic energy. The skin absorption is much stronger than other non-ablative wavelengths (1410-1550 nm) and weaker than ablative wavelengths (Er:YAG or CO2). The objective of this study was to characterize clinical efficacy using this technology to treat photodamaged skin in human subjects.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under an IRB approved study, eleven subjects with facial photodamage (1 male and 10 female) were enrolled and completed the study. The fractional 1940 nm laser was comprised of a thulium rod pumped by a pulsed alexandrite laser. The fractional patterns were generated by four separate handpieces (two dot (0.48mm and 0.76mm dot-to-dot distance or pitch) and two grid geometries) whereby a larger beam was broken up into smaller microbeams by a microlens system or reflective square grids. The low -pitch circular dot array handpiece, which is used most frequently, has a macro-spot size of 12 mm and a total applied energy of approximately 2-5 J (~ 4-10 mJ per beamlet). Contact skin cooling (5-20degC) was provided via a sapphire window at the distal end of handpiece. Pulses from the dot handpieces were applied with 20% overlap. The microspot size for the dot handpieces was ~ 0.2-0.3 mm. The two grid pattern handpieces included 0.4 mm wide lines with 45% and 0.7 mm wide lines with 65% coverage. Each subject received 3 full-face treatments 4-6 weeks apart. Anesthesia was achieved by 5% lidocaine cream and a cold air chiller. Typical treatments were carried out with two passes. Outcome assessments included changes in pigment, rhytides, laxity, elastosis, and texture, using a diffuse pigmentation scale and the Alexiades-Armenakas Comprehensive Grading Scale of Rhytides, Laxity, and Photodamage. Photographs of each patient from prior to treatment, and 3 months after treatment were analyzed by 3 blinded physician raters. A paired t-test was applied for each category comparing the pre treatment and 3-month post treatment results.
RESULTS: Three months after the final treatment, (a) mean pigment improvement was 21.1%, (b) rhytides were reduced by 14.3%, (c) laxity was reduced by 8.9%, elastosis was reduced by 22.3%, and (e) texture scores were unchanged. Reductions in pigmentation, rhytides, and elastosis were statistically significant (
P ≤ 0.05). Clinical downtime was 3-5 days. Pain was variable (mean of 2.8/10) and side effects included two cases of mild focal vesiculation. No long-term side effects were noted. Histological analysis showed focal damage that extended about 200 μm deep to the surface.
CONCLUSION: The 1940nm thulium laser is safe, well tolerated, and results in reduced downtime compared to traditional resurfacing. The study demonstrated that the 1940 nm thulium laser could achieve injury patterns capable of skin rejuvenation.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13(11):1324-1329.
INTRODUCTION
Skin aging is characterized by skin laxity, photodamage, appearance of visible lines and wrinkles and an overall decline in skin texture.1 Skin resurfacing refers to removal and regeneration of the skin. High-energy pulsed and/or scanned CO2 or Er:YAG lasers which remove and/or thermally damage the entire skin surface in a precisely controlled manner have been applied since 1992 for rejuvenation.2-4 However, their use is associated with a prolonged postoperative recovery period and a significant risk of side effects.
Non-ablative non-fractional interventions are alternative procedures that induce selective thermal damage to the sub-epidermal layer with little to no disruption of the superficial epidermal layer integrity and therefore achieve a more rapid recovery and lower risk. Although these techniques are associated with minimal down time, their observed degree of improvement appears to be limited.5 Therefore, in the aesthetic arena an optimal approach would combine the efficacy of ablative lasers with the shorter healing time and the favorable side-effect profile of non-ablative lasers.
In fractional resurfacing, thermally coagulated microscopic zones of epidermis and dermis (referred to as “micro thermal zonesâ€) are spaced in a grid over the skin surface in a controlled, geometric pattern; the uninjured surrounding tissue serves as a reservoir of cells that accelerate and promote safe
