Lasers, Light, and Energy-Based Devices in Plastic Surgery: A 3-Year Review of a Resident Cosmetic Clinic Experience.

Background: The increasing utilization of laser and light-based technologies in plastic surgery has heightened the need for comprehensive training programs within residency programs, allowing trainees to remain competitive in the cosmetic medicine field.

Objectives: This review intends to describe our trainees' experience with lasers in their last 2 years of training while participating in their resident cosmetic clinic.

Methods: This retrospective chart review examines laser procedures conducted from 2021 to 2023 within the Resident Cosmetic Clinic at the study institution.

Energy-Based Medical Devices in Plastic Surgery: A Comparison of FDA-Approved Indications to Advertised Claims.

Background: Lasers and energy-based devices are commonly employed in aesthetic medicine. In the United States, the FDA regulates lasers as medical devices, restricting marketing to approved indications and making off-label claims illegal. Despite this, no comprehensive analysis of off-label marketing prevalence exists.

Clinical Implications of Fat Grafting in the Posterior Calf: A Dynamic Cadaver-based Study.

Background: Intramuscular fat grafting in extremity muscles, especially the gastrocnemius, has become increasingly popular. However, while safety in truncal muscle fat grafting has been well-studied, research on extremity muscles is lacking.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to explore the anatomy of the gastrocnemius muscle and adjacent structures as intramuscular and subcutaneous recipient sites.

Investigating the Efficacy of Modified Lipoaspirate Grafting to Improve the Appearance of Atrophic Acne Scars: A Pilot Study.

Background: Processed lipoaspirate grafting describes several techniques theorized to leverage the inflammatory and regenerative capacities of mechanically processed adipocytes to rejuvenate and correct skin pathology. Although lipoaspirate grafting is typically leveraged to fill visible defects such as depressed scars and dermal lines, additional fat processing allows grafts to stimulate mechanisms of wound healing, including the promotion of fibroblast activation, neovascularization, and neocollagenesis.

Objectives: This study intends to assess the efficacy and tolerability of processed lipoaspirate grafting monotherapy to improve the clinical appearance of atrophic acne scars.

Clinical evaluation of the safety and efficacy of a 1064 nm diode laser, and vacuum assisted pulsed electromagnetic fields and multipolar radio frequency for noninvasive fat reduction of the abdomen and flanks.

Background: Noninvasive cosmetic body contouring techniques are growing rapidly, and noninvasive lipolysis has been shown to have low pain, little downtime and produce consistent long-term results. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 1064 nm diode laser combined with vacuum assisted PEMF and RF energies for noninvasive fat reduction of the abdomen and flanks.

Methods: Subjects received a series of three treatments 8 weeks apart, each consisting of a diode laser session, followed by vacuum assisted PEMF and RF.

Evaluation and characterization of facial skin aging using optical coherence tomography.

Objectives: The skin aging exposome encompasses internal and external factors that contribute to clinical signs of facial aging. Aging skin can be characterized by distinctive features such as wrinkles, lentigines, elastosis, and roughness. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is capable of noninvasively measuring skin characteristics.

Deep Subcutaneous Gluteal Fat Compartments: Anatomy and Clinical Implications.

Background: Advances in gluteal fat grafting have resulted in diminished risks through improved understanding of regional anatomy and technical nuances. No anatomic studies identifying the presence or absence of buttock fat compartments have yet been reported.

Objectives: The aim of this cadaveric study was to identify and characterize the deep subcutaneous gluteal fat compartments to further understand the nuanced differences between deep and superficial subcutaneous fat layers.

The Efficacy of Intense Pulsed Light as a Treatment for Benign Pigmented Lesions on the Dorsal Hand.

Background: Intense pulsed light (IPL) is a noninvasive therapeutic option to treat benign pigmented lesions by targeting melanin.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess IPL as a treatment for benign pigmented dorsal hand lesions.

Materials And Methods: A total of fifteen subjects, 40 to 73 years old, received 3 monthly IPL treatments over the dorsal hands.

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Evaluating the Single and Combined Efficacy of Radiofrequency and Hybrid Fractional Laser for Nonsurgical Aesthetic Genital Procedures in Post-Menopausal Women.

Background: The efficacy of interventions that provide long-term relief of genitourinary symptoms of menopause has not been determined.

Objectives: The authors sought to evaluate radiofrequency and hybrid fractional laser (HFL) treatments for menopausal vulvovaginal symptoms.

Methods: Thirty-one postmenopausal women completed all treatments and at least 1 follow-up.

A Correlation of the Glogau Scale With VISIA-CR Complexion Analysis Measurements in Assessing Facial Photoaging for Clinical Research.

Background: Historically, standard evaluations for photoaging have involved subjective analysis; recently, however, investigators have turned to noninvasive systems for more objective evaluation of facial aging.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish a clinical correlation between the Glogau Photoaging Scale and the VISIA-CR Complexion Analysis System (Canfield Imaging Systems, Fairfield, NJ), and thereby reduce intra- and interobserver variability when assessing photodamage.

Methods: In total, 117 subjects aged between 18 and 89 years were included.

Practice Advisory on Gluteal Fat Grafting.

On January 31, 2018, The Multi-Society Task Force for Safety in Gluteal Fat Grafting released a practice advisory regarding gluteal fat grafting. The task force was assembled in the wake of several highly publicized patient deaths involving Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) and produced a second practice advisory in August 2019. In 2021, The Aesthetic Surgery President commissioned a Working Group on BBL Patient Safety, charging the group to address new guidelines affecting safety and welfare of BBL patients.

Efficacy and tolerability of a microneedling device for treating wrinkles on the face.

Objectives: A microneedling pen has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration, indicated for improving the appearance of adult facial acne scars. The objective of this study was to assess the device's effectiveness for treating wrinkles of the face area.

Materials And Methods: Healthy adults seeking to improve the appearance of face wrinkles were enrolled (N = 35), receiving four monthly microneedling procedures by a trained aesthetician who treated the face skin per manufacturer instructions.

Efficacy and Tolerability of a Microneedling Device for Treating Wrinkles on the Neck.

Background: A microneedling pen has been cleared by the US FDA and is indicated for improving the appearance of facial acne scars in adults.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this microneedling pen for treating wrinkles. This paper focuses on the results on the neck, an area of recent importance with video meetings placing physical stress on the neck area, leading to wrinkles.