Open-label evaluation of the skin-brightening efficacy of a skin-brightening system using decapeptide-12.

This prospective study evaluated the safety and efficacy of decapeptide-12 in conjunction with an antioxidant cleanser, glycolic-acid containing facial moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen in the treatment of facial hyperpigmentation associated with chronic photodamage. Fifteen female subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types I through IV and documented photodamage were entered into the study, of whom 13 completed the study. Results were obtained at weeks 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 and were assessed by both volunteers and investigators based on standardised digital photography using the Global Assessment of Photodamage Severity Scale.

A split-face comparison of two ablative fractional carbon dioxide lasers for the treatment of photodamaged facial skin.

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of two fractional carbon dioxide (CO(2)) laser devices for the treatment of photodamaged facial skin.

Methods: Eight healthy subjects underwent full-face resurfacing for photodamaged skin with two fractionated CO(2) laser devices using manufacturer-recommended settings for facial rejuvenation. For each subject, one device with a rolling handpiece was used on one side and a second device with a stamping handpiece was used on the other.

308-nm Excimer laser treatment of palmoplantar psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting 1-3% of the population. The incidence of palmoplantar involvement has been estimated to be between 2.8% and 40.

A study of multiple full-face treatments with low-energy settings of a 2940-nm Er:YAG fractionated laser.

Background And Objective: Fractional Er:YAG 2940-nm laser resurfacing is a relatively new approach to the treatment of photodamaged skin. Typically, this approach uses fairly high delivered energies in order to create 'microscopic wounds' of tissue coagulation at various dermal depths. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of low-energy, multiple-treatment, fractional Er:YAG laser resurfacing for the treatment of photoaged skin.

Laser lipolysis of the arm, with and without suction aspiration: clinical and histologic changes.

Background And Objective: Liposuction has become increasingly popular over the past several decades. However, liposuction is a relatively traumatic procedure with known risks, which include skin redundancy. Laser lipolysis has the potential of producing similar clinical results to those seen with liposuction while providing the additional benefit of tissue tightening.

Vascular-specific laser wavelength for the treatment of facial telangiectasias.

Background: Facial telangiectasias have been successfully treated with a variety of laser wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths (532 nm) are generally effective in the treatment of smaller vessels; longer wavelengths (1064 nm), although potentially more effective in the treatment of larger vessels, may be associated with a higher complication rate. The 980-nm wavelength has the potential benefits of a longer wavelength with the safety of shorter wavelengths.

Evaluation of histologic and electron microscopic changes after novel treatment using combined microdermabrasion and ultrasound-induced phonophoresis of human skin.

Background: Mechanical exfoliation using microdermabrasion has been used as a minimally invasive treatment of photodamage, as well as to improve absorption of topical agents. Phonophoresis, a method of electrically assisted percutaneous delivery of macromolecules, relies on ultrasonic waves producing alterations within the stratum corneum that result in increased absorption.

Objective: To determine the effects on photodamaged facial skin that resulted from the ultrasound-enhanced delivery of a combined hyaluronic acid, retinol, and peptide-containing complex following microdermabrasion.

Clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural changes after use of human growth factor and cytokine skin cream for the treatment of skin rejuvenation.

The present study reports the clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural changes observed after the 6-month application of a novel skin cream containing a mixture of human growth factors and cytokines. Participants were asked to apply the human growth factor and cytokine skin cream twice daily to their entire face over a period of 6 months. A 3-mm punch biopsy was taken from the preauricular skin area before and after the treatment period.

Evaluation of clinical, microscopic, and ultrastructural changes after treatment with a novel Q-switched Nd:YAG laser.

Background: The Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was among the first non-ablative lasers to be used. High-fluence photoacoustic Q-switched laser treatments were shown to produce results akin to those seen with some ablative lasers. Previous low-fluence, non-thermal, Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers produced almost no results.

Topical manganese peptide in the treatment of photodamaged skin.

This study evaluated the effects of a manganese peptide complex in the treatment of various signs of cutaneous facial photodamage. Individuals used a facial serum formulation containing the manganese peptide complex Manganese Tripeptide-1 twice a day for up to 12 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, the individuals and a blinded investigator noted improvement in the appearance of several signs of cutaneous photodamage.

Treatment of photoaging with a very superficial Er:YAG laser in combination with a broadband light source.

Background And Objective: Studies documenting improvement following combined laser and light-based devices are needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical, histological, and ultrastructural changes in photodamaged facial skin following sequential treatment with ablative superficial erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) laser peels and nonablative intense pulsed light, or broadband light (BBL), treatments.

Study Design/materials And Methods: Fifteen subjects with photodamaged facial skin and Fitzpatrick skin types I to III underwent 3 monthly treatments with the Profile system (Sciton, Inc, Palo Alto, CA) utilizing very superficial MicroLaserPeel settings of 2.

Cutaneous photoaging treated with a combined 595/1064 nm laser.

Background And Objectives: The pulsed dye laser (PDL) has been used for a variety of vascular changes associated with photoaging. The Nd:YAG laser has been shown to be effective in the treatment of deeper facial vessels, as well as to stimulate new dermal collagen deposition. This study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sequential dual-wavelength PDL and Nd:YAG laser treatment of photoaged facial skin.

Treatment of skin laxity of the lower face and neck in older individuals with a broad-spectrum infrared light device.

Background: Non-ablative approaches with infrared and radiofrequency energy sources have been shown to reduce skin laxity, but studies have focused on individuals with early-stage, mild-to-moderate degenerative dermal changes.

Objective: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an infrared light device for the treatment of skin laxity in patients with soft tissue ptosis of the lower face and neck characteristic of the sixth decade of life and beyond.

Materials And Methods: Thirteen females, aged 58-83 years old (average: 64 years), were treated with a filtered 1100-1800 nm infrared light-based device.

Acne scar correction using calcium hydroxylapatite in a carrier-based gel.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the efficacy and safety profile of calcium hydroxylapatite filler in the treatment of acne scars.

Methods: Ten subjects with a variety of acne scars were treated with calcium hydroxylapatite filler.

Results: Saucerized acne scars responded to treatment; ice-pick scars did not.

Treatment of terminal and vellus non-pigmented hairs with an optical/bipolar radiofrequency energy source-with and without pre-treatment using topical aminolevulinic acid.

Objective: The present study compares the 6-month hair removal efficacy of a combined pulsed light bipolar radiofrequency device with and without pre-treatment using topical aminolevulinic acid.

Materials And Methods: Fifteen adult females, skin phenotypes II-IV were entered into the study. Ten subjects were determined to have white terminal hairs; an additional five females presented with fine facial vellus hairs.

Histologic and ultrastructural analysis of ultraviolet B laser and light source treatment of leukoderma in striae distensae.

Background: Lasers and light sources emitting ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation have been shown to repigment striae distensae.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the histologic and ultrastuctural changes seen after UVB laser- or light source-induced repigmentation of striae distensae.

Methods: Ten subjects with hypopigmented striae were selected.

A new long pulsed 940 nm diode laser used for hair removal in Asian skin types.

The theory of selective photothermolysis has led to the development of a variety of different hair removal laser systems.1,2 These lasers use follicular melanin as a target chromophore. At present the delivery of adequate fluences, optimizing wavelengths and pulse duration, and adequate epidermal cooling are the factors required to achieve effective hair removal.

308-nm Excimer laser treatment of mature hypopigmented striae.

Background: The 308-nm excimer laser has been shown to be effective in the treatment of disorders of hypopigmentation.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the 308-nm excimer laser in the treatment of mature hypopigmented striae.

Results: Seventy-five subjects were treated for a total of 615 treatments.

Electrosurgical resurfacing: a clinical, histologic, and electron microscopic evaluation.

Background: Radiofrequency resurfacing is a new technology for ablative facial resurfacing.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency resurfacing in reduction of perioral and periorbital rhytides, and to assess it's effects on collagen remodeling by electron microscopic evaluation.

Results: Fourteen of the fifteen subjects (93%) were 100% re-epithelialized by day 7.

Millisecond 1064-nm neodymium:YAG laser treatment of facial telangiectases.

Background: Millisecond pulse duration 1064-nm Neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) lasers have been shown to be effective in the treatment of some lower leg telangiectases.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and complication rate of a millisecond pulse duration 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of facial telangiectases.

Methods: Fifteen subjects were evaluated.