Laser treatment of port-wine stains.

Port-wine stains are a type of capillary malformation affecting 0.3% to 0.5% of the population.

Multicenter prospective cohort study of the incidence of adverse events associated with cosmetic dermatologic procedures: lasers, energy devices, and injectable neurotoxins and fillers.

Importance: Common noninvasive to minimally invasive cosmetic dermatologic procedures are widely believed to be safe given the low incidence of reported adverse events, but reliable incidence data regarding adverse event rates are unavailable to date.

Objective: To assess the incidence of adverse events associated with noninvasive to minimally invasive cosmetic dermatologic procedures, including those involving laser and energy devices, as well as injectable neurotoxins and fillers.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A multicenter prospective cohort study (March 28, 2011, to December 30, 2011) of procedures performed using laser and energy devices, as well as injectable neurotoxins and soft-tissue augmentation materials, among 8 geographically dispersed US private and institutional dermatology outpatient clinical practices focused on cosmetic dermatology, with a total of 23 dermatologists.

Retrospective study of the treatment of infantile hemangiomas using a combination of propranolol and pulsed dye laser.

Background: Infantile hemangioma (IH) clearance may be slow or incomplete in response to pulsed dye laser (PDL) or propranolol alone.

Objectives: To evaluate whether IH treated with PDL and propranolol displayed more rapid and complete clearance than IH treated with propranolol alone.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective review of facial-segmental IH treated with propranolol and PDL and controls treated with propranolol was conducted.

Treatment of port-wine stains with a short pulse width 532-nm Nd:YAG laser.

Background And Objective: Pulsed dye laser treatment often results in port-wine stain (PWS) improvement; however, results vary. A frequency-doubled neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser that allows for shorter pulse widths along with large spot sizes and high fluences has been developed for the treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions.

Study Design: A prospective, controlled study was performed in 5 adults with PWS using a frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (Excel V; Cutera Inc, Brisbane, CA) in 4 quadrants, using spot sizes of 6 to 10 mm, fluences of 4.

Topical perfluorodecalin resolves immediate whitening reactions and allows rapid effective multiple pass treatment of tattoos.

Background And Objective: Laser tattoo removal using multiple passes per session, with each pass delivered after spontaneous resolution of whitening, improves tattoo fading in a 60-minute treatment time. Our objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topical perfluorodecalin (PFD) in facilitating rapid effective multiple-pass tattoo removal.

Study Design: In a randomized, controlled study using Q-switched ruby or Nd:YAG laser, 22 previously treated tattoos were treated with 3 passes using PFD to resolve whitening after each pass ("R0 method").

1927-nm fractional resurfacing of facial actinic keratoses: a promising new therapeutic option.

Background: Actinic keratoses (AK) are precancerous epidermal proliferations commonly present on chronically sun-damaged skin. These lesions are among the most often treated dermatologic conditions.

Objective: We sought to investigate the 6-month safety, tolerance, and efficacy of nonablative 1927-nm fractional resurfacing of facial AK.

Ablative fractional resurfacing for involuted hemangioma residuum.

BACKGROUND Given the natural tendency for 15% to 40% of infantile hemangiomas to spontaneously involute over time, much debate surrounds the issue of treatment. Until recently, effective therapies to improve the appearance of residual textural skin changes in these patients were lacking. We suggest the use of ablative fractional resurfacing for the treatment of textural skin changes resulting from involuted hemangiomas.

Successful and rapid treatment of blue and green tattoo pigment with a novel picosecond laser.

Background: While the understanding and technology of laser tattoo removal has advanced much over the last 5 decades, treatments and results remain far from perfect. With currently available devices, treatment courses are often painful and prolonged with mixed results. We describe the successful and rapid treatment of 12 tattoos containing blue and/or green pigment with a novel, picosecond, 755-nm alexandrite laser.

Quantitation of the results of abdominal liposuction.

Background: There are few objective techniques to accurately measure the outcome of liposuction. Consequently, there is also a paucity of data quantifying the results of this procedure.

Objectives: The authors compare changes in abdominal volume and circumference with several objective measurement techniques in a relatively homogeneous group of individuals undergoing liposuction in a single, defined abdominal region.

Calcium hydroxylapatite nodule resolution after fractional carbon dioxide laser therapy.

Background: Injection of calcium hydroxylapatite filler may result in nodule formation owing to superficial placement of the filler. Calcium hydroxylapatite nodules are difficult to reverse. Previously reported therapeutic options are limited and include intralesional triamcinolone, massage, needling, and excision, each with inconsistent results or potential for scarring.

Investigation into optimal treatment intervals of facial port-wine stains using the pulsed dye laser.

Background: Port-wine stains (PWS) affect 0.3% to 0.5% of newborns and pulsed dye laser (PDL) remains the treatment of choice.

Reduction of thickened flap using fractional carbon dioxide laser.

Background And Objective: The paramedian forehead flap is an excellent choice when repairing a large nasal defect. However, even when carefully thinned, the flap may develop a bulky appearance, an ill-fitting contour, or trap door deformity. When on the face, these suboptimal results can be quite distressing.

Do lasers or topicals really work for nonmelanoma skin cancers?

Novel strategies are urgently needed to address the millions of nonmelanoma skin cancers treated in the United States annually. The need is greatest for those patients who are poor surgical candidates or those prone to numerous nonmelanoma skin cancers and therefore at risk for marked disfigurement. Traditional treatment strategies include electrosurgery with curettage, radiation therapy, cryotherapy, excision, and Mohs micrographic surgery.

Successful treatment of atrophic postoperative and traumatic scarring with carbon dioxide ablative fractional resurfacing: quantitative volumetric scar improvement.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of ablative fractional resurfacing (AFR) for nonacne atrophic scarring.

Design: In this before-and-after trial, each scar received 3 AFR treatments and 6 months of follow-up.

Setting: Private academic practice.

Radiofrequency devices for body shaping: a review and study of 12 patients.

Radiofrequency (RF) devices such as ThermaCool TC (Solta Medical Inc., Hayward, CA) offer a nonablative and noninvasive treatment option for unwanted skin concerns of the head, neck, and body. Relatively fewer studies address RF treatment on the body when compared with the head and neck.

Improvement in arm and post-partum abdominal and flank subcutaneous fat deposits and skin laxity using a bipolar radiofrequency, infrared, vacuum and mechanical massage device.

Background And Objectives: Skin laxity of the body is a growing cosmetic concern. Laxity can result from chronological or photoaging and changes in body dimensions during pregnancy or weight loss. The end result is loose, sagging skin, and localized fat deposits.

Three-dimensional surface imaging for clinical trials: improved precision and reproducibility in circumference measurements of thighs and abdomens.

Background And Objectives: Numerous body contouring and laser-assisted liposuction devices have recently obtained or are seeking FDA clearance, and assessment of efficacy of these devices is largely based upon qualitative comparisons of before and after photographs and measurable changes in patient circumference. The current standard for measuring body circumference in clinical trials involves the use of a standard measuring tape. These manual measurements introduce human error and may incorrectly support or refute a device or procedure's efficacy.

Sublative rejuvenation: experience with a new fractional radiofrequency system for skin rejuvenation and repair.

Several laser-based ablative resurfacing and nonablative rejuvenation technologies offer non-surgical options for improving the appearance of the skin. Although efficacy and good safety profiles have been demonstrated, limitations do exist with these systems. A more recent technology has been developed that employs fractionated bipolar radiofrequency (RF) energy.

Outcomes of childhood hemangiomas treated with the pulsed-dye laser with dynamic cooling: a retrospective chart analysis.

Background: Laser treatment of childhood hemangiomas remains controversial. Previous studies have used outdated technology, resulting in a potential overrepresentation of adverse outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes of hemangiomas treated with the most current laser technology.

Ablative and fractional ablative lasers.

The field of nonsurgical laser resurfacing for aesthetic enhancement continues to improve with new research and technological advances. Since its beginnings in the 1980s, the laser-resurfacing industry has produced a multitude of devices employing ablative, nonablative, and fractional ablative technologies. The three approaches largely differ in their method of thermal damage, weighing degrees of efficacy, downtime, and side effect profiles against each other.

The safety and efficacy of fractional photothermolysis for the correction of striae distensae.

Background: Improving the appearance of striae distensae, particularly striae alba, has remained a challenge due to the limited availability of effective and low-risk treatment options. Fractional photothermolysis, a novel concept in skin rejuvenation, has been reported to be effective in the treatment of facial rhytides, acne scars, and surgical scars, but its use in the treatment of striae has not been well studied.

Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of fractional photothermolysis treatment on striae alba and striae rubra.

Successful treatment of acneiform scarring with CO2 ablative fractional resurfacing.

Background: Acneiform scarring after severe episodes of acne is a common cosmetic concern, treatable by a variety of modalities with varying degrees of success. Ablative CO(2) laser resurfacing, while effective, is associated with an undesirable side effects profile, lengthy recovery period, and risk of infection as well as potential pigmentary alterations. Newer modalities using the principles of fractional photothermolysis (FP) create patterns of tiny microscopic wounds surrounded by undamaged tissue beneath the skin with an erbium-doped 1,550 nm laser.