Nonablative remodeling: a 14-month clinical ultrasound-imaging profilometric evaluation of a 1540-nm Er:Glass laser

Abstract

Background: Non-ablative remodeling has been recently proposed as a new anti-ageing treatment with no downtime. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-ablative skin remodeling with a 1540 nm Er:Glass laser and contact cooling on pen-oral and pen-orbital rhytids at 14 months follow up. Methods: 42 female patients (mean age: 47 years), Fitzpatrick skin types I -IV were treated five times at 6 weeks intervals, and checked 6 months after the last treatment . Patients were evaluated using clinical data, patients satisfaction (scale 1 to 4), digital pictures, ultrasound imaging and profilometry data from silicone imprints in order to quantify the degree of improvement. Results: All subjects reported an improvement in the quality and visual aspect of their skin at 6 months (mean patient's satisfaction : 3,06/4) and they noticed that it was very similar at 14 months after enrollment (mean patient's satisfaction: 2.9/4) . This was confirmed by a 43.2% reduction ofanisotropy (p<O.OO1) six weeks after the 4th treatment, and even 49.5 % reduction 6 weeks after the 5th treatment. Ultrasound imaging demonstrated a 17% increase of the dermis thickness (p<O.OO5) 1 month after the 3rd freatment and still 1 1% increase 6 months after the last treatment. A lack of immediate or late adverse effects was noted at all stages ofthe procedure. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that irradiation with a 1540nm Er:Glass laser emitting in a pulsed mode and coupled with an efficient cooling system , increases dermis thickness, reduces the anisotropy ofthe skin and finally improves clinical aspects. The lack of adverse effects confirmed that all this procedure was safe.