A Prospective Study in the Treatment of Lentigines in Asian Skin Using 532 nm Picosecond Nd:YAG Laser.

Background And Objective: To evaluate safety and efficacy of treatment with the picosecond Nd:YAG 532 nm for lentigines in Asian skin.

Study Design/materials And Methods: This was a prospective, open-label cohort study, using a novel picosecond 532-nm laser for the treatment of facial lentigines. Subjects received up to three laser treatments every 4-6 weeks and were assessed at 4 and 12 weeks after final treatment.

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the dual wavelength picosecond laser for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions in Asians.

Background And Objectives: Cutaneous pigmentary disorders are both more common and more difficult to treat in patients with skin color given the higher melanin content in the epidermis. Although Q-switched lasers are widely considered to be the standard treatment for both epidermal and dermal pigmentary conditions, a very high risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) of up to 25% is seen in patients with skin of color. Recently, the novel picosecond laser with pulse durations operating at sub-nanosecond domains has been shown to be effective in tattoo removal and in the treatment of acne scars.

Theoretical review of the treatment of pigmented lesions in Asian skin.

Asian skin has a higher epidermal melanin content, making it more likely to develop adverse pigmentary reactions following laser surgery. The nanosecond lasers are the gold standard for the treatment of pigmented lesions, but the risk of complications, such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, is increased in dark-skinned patients. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) or long-pulsed lasers are available for treating superficial pigmented lesions, and fewer complications are seen when using these devices compared to the nanosecond lasers.

A retrospective analysis on the management of pigmented lesions using a picosecond 755-nm alexandrite laser in Asians.

Background And Objectives: Photo-aging in Chinese often presents with benign pigmentary lesions. Q-switched lasers for pigmentary lesions in Asians had reported a risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) up to 25%. Longer pulse widths in the millisecond domains were advocated with reduced risk of PIH.

The efficacy of a combination non-thermal focused ultrasound and radiofrequency device for noninvasive body contouring in Asians.

Background And Objective: Several studies have been published on the first generation non-thermal focused ultrasound with an average improvement of 0-3.95 cm reported. We aim to investigate the efficacy of the second-generation non-thermal focused ultrasound device with a combined radiofrequency hand piece.

Evaluating the safety and efficacy of the 1,440-nm laser in the treatment of photodamage in Asian skin.

Background And Objective: As the demand for diminished procedure-associated downtime continues to increase, nonablative fractional laser resurfacing is becoming a more popular intervention in the progression of photoaging. Patients with pigmented skin and a mild degree of photodamage may be particularly suited for a less intensive laser treatment. In this study, we have evaluated the safety and efficacy of a low energy, low density 1,440-nm fractional laser in the treatment of multiple signs of photoaging including dyspigmentation, wrinkling, tissue laxity, enlarged pores, and skin roughness in Asians.

Efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasonography for noninvasive body sculpting in Chinese patients.

Background And Objectives: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a noninvasive technology for body contouring. HIFU is focused within the subcutaneous adipose tissue, causing coagulative necrosis and cell death. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a HIFU device for sculpting of the abdomen.

A retrospective study of the management of Chinese melasma patients using a 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser.

Background: A new fractional photothermolysis device is used in our retrospective study to treat melasma in Chinese patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the 1927 nm fractional thulium fiber laser in the treatment of melasma in Chinese patients.

Methods: Eleven melasma patients who received treatment between November 2009 and May 2010 were included.

Evaluation of combined fractional radiofrequency and fractional laser treatment for acne scars in Asians.

Background And Objectives: Fractionated radiofrequency (RF) induces deep dermal heating and leaves the epidermis less affected. We studied the efficacy and safety of bipolar RF and fractional diode laser followed by fractional RF in Asians with acne scars.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four patients (skin types III and IV) with acne scars received up to five treatments of combined fractional 915-nm laser and bipolar RF using a Matrix IR applicator (Syneron Medical Ltd, Yokneam, Israel) with fluence ranging from 50 to 70 J/cm(2) , RF at 70-100 J/cm(3) , double passes followed by full-face bipolar fractional RF treatment using Matrix RF at energy ranging from 50 to 62 mJ/pin, at 4-week intervals.

Non-invasive cryolipolysis for body contouring in Chinese--a first commercial experience.

Background: The objective of the study is to determine the clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction of a novel cryolipolysis device (Zeltiq®) for body contouring in Chinese after a single treatment and after 2 treatments at a commercial setting.

Materials And Methods: Two groups of patients were recruited for this procedure at their own cost. Group A, 21 subjects, received a single treatment and group B, 12 subjects, received 2 treatments, average 3 months apart using the Zeltiq Breeze System®.

Safety study of transcutaneous focused ultrasound for non-invasive skin tightening in Asians.

Background And Objectives: Transcutaneous intense focused ultrasound has emerged as a novel technology for non-invasive skin tightening. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety profile of a transcutaneous focused ultrasound device for the treatment of facial skin laxity in Asians.

Materials And Methods: The patients received one to three full-face treatments with the transcutaneous focused ultrasound device.

Liposome-encapsulated 0.5% 5-aminolevulinic acid with intense pulsed light for the treatment of inflammatory facial acne: a pilot study.

Background: Liposome used in spray form to encapsulate and deliver 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) into the pilosebaceous unit lowers the concentration of 5-ALA to 0.5% in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for acne, with low post-treatment photosensitivity.

Objective: To investigate the clinical outcome and side effects of PDT using intense pulsed light (IPL) and 0.

The use of non-ablative fractional resurfacing in Asian acne scar patients.

Background And Objectives: Non-ablative fractional resurfacing (NA FR) has been shown to be effective for photorejuvenation and acne scarring. Previous studies indicated that density, more than pulse energy, was associated with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in Asians. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the efficacy and complications of eight passes of NA FR ('full-NA FR') with the 1,550 nm erbium-doped fibre fractional laser (Fraxel SR laser system, Solta Medical, Hayward, CA) versus four passes ('mini-NA FR') with comparable pulse energy and treatment level as 'full-NA FR', but double the number of treatment sessions in Asian acne scar patients.

Fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser resurfacing for skin rejuvenation and acne scars in Asians.

Background And Objectives: Ablative fractional resurfacing (AFR) is a new modality for photorejuvenation and acne scars which combines carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser ablation with fractional photothermolysis. The objective is to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of a new fractional CO₂ ablative device (Fraxel Re:pair) for skin rejuvenation and acne scars in Asians.

Materials And Methods: Nine patients underwent one full-face treatment.

Hair removal with neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser and pneumatic skin flattening in Asians.

Background: Based on the "gate theory" of pain transmission, pneumatic skin flattening (PSF) may reduce pain during laser hair removal.

Objective: To compare the pain, efficacy, and adverse effects after laser hair reduction using PSF with that using a dynamic cooling device (DCD) in Asians.

Methods: Twelve participants (skin types III-IV) received laser hair removal with a PSF device on the right axilla and DCD on the other side.

A case series of facial depigmentation associated with low fluence Q-switched 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser for skin rejuvenation and melasma.

Background And Objective: In recent years, "laser toning" using low fluence, large spot size, multiple passed Q-switched 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser has gained much popularity in Asian countries for non-ablative skin rejuvenation and the treatment of melasma. This case series highlights one of the complications associated with laser toning, which is facial depigmentation.

Materials And Methods: Fourteen patients with laser toning-associated facial depigmentation were assessed with cross-polarized and ultraviolet (UV) photographic images.

Treatment of inflammatory facial acne with 1,450-nm diode laser in type IV to V Asian skin using an optimal combination of laser parameters.

Background: The 1,450-nm diode laser is effective for the treatment of inflammatory acne, but there is a significant risk of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) in Asian skin.

Objective: To determine whether lower fluence and shorter cooling duration of the 1,450-nm diode laser improve acne effectively with minimal PIH in darker skin.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-six subjects (skin phototypes IV-V) with inflammatory facial acne received four treatments using the 1,450-nm diode laser with 6-mm spot size 3 to 4 weeks apart.

Combined infrared light and bipolar radiofrequency for skin tightening in Asians.

Background And Objective: As the demand for non-invasive procedures for skin tightening is increasing, combined optical and radiofrequency (RF) devices have recently emerged. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a device that combined broadband infrared (IR) light (700-2000 nm) and bipolar RF (electro-optical synergy [ELOS]) for non-ablative treatment of facial laxity. DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen Chinese volunteers of skin types III-V, with facial laxity and periorbital rhytides, received three treatments at 3-week intervals with combined IR (700-2000 nm, 10 W/cm(2)) and RF energies (70-120 J/cm(3)).

A comparative study of intense pulsed light alone and its combination with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of facial acne in Asian skin.

Background And Objectives: The reaction to intense pulsed light (IPL) on Asian skin often differs from that on Caucasian skin. The study reported herein evaluated the effect on acne vulgaris of IPL alone and when IPL was combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) in Asians.

Study Design/materials And Methods: Thirty Chinese subjects with phototypes IV or V and moderate acne were enrolled for a randomized, half-facial treatment study with IPL alone, IPL with PDT, or as controls.