Combination visible and infrared lasers for skin rejuvenation.

Abstract

Noninvasive techniques for skin rejuvenation are quickly being established as a new standard in the treatment of mild rhytides and overall skin toning. Multiple laser wavelengths and modalities have been tried for this procedure with varying degrees of success. These lasers include 532 nm, 585 nm, 1064 nm, 1320 nm, 1450 nm, and 1540 nm wavelengths. This study evaluates a combination technique by using a long-pulsed 532 nm potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser and a long-pulsed 1064 nm Neodynium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser, both separately and combined, for noninvasive photorejuvenation and skin toning/collagen enhancement, and establishes efficacy and degree of success. A total of 150 patients were treated with the long-pulsed KTP 532 nm (Aura; Laserscope, San Jose, CA) and long-pulsed Nd:YAG 1064 nm (Lyra; Laserscope) lasers both separately and combined. Patients included skin types I through V. The fluences varied between 7 and 15 J/cm2 at 7 to 20 ms pulse duration with a 2-mm handpiece, and 6 to 15 J/cm2 and 30 to 50 ms with a 4-mm handpiece for KTP. The Nd:YAG fluences were set at 24 to 30 J/cm2 for a 10-mm handpiece and 30 J/cm2 for a SmartScan Plus scanner (Laserscope, San Jose, CA). These energies were delivered at 30 to 65 ms pulse durations. All patients were treated at least 3 times and at most 6 times at monthly intervals, and were observed for up to 18 months after the last treatment. All 150 patients exhibited a mild to moderate degree of improvement in the appearance of rhytides, moderate degree of improvement in skin toning and texture, and great improvement in the reduction of redness and pigmentation. The KTP used alone was superior to the Nd:YAG laser in terms of results. The KTP and Nd:YAG laser combination was superior to either laser used alone.