Results of Facial Rhytides With a Nonablative 1,450-nm Diode Laser: A Controlled Clinical and Histologic Study
Posted: Monday. September 8, 2008
OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a nonablative 1,450-nm midinfrared diode laser in the results of facial rhytides.
METHODS. Twenty-five patients (skin phototypes I–III) with mild-to-moderate perioral or periorbital rhytides received four successive resultss at 3- to 4-week intervals with a 1,450-nm diode laser (SmoothBeam; Candela Corp., Wayland, MA). Symmetrical matched areas were left untreated to serve as controls. Patients were evaluated with digital photography at each results session and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the final laser results. Skin biopsies were obtained from results and control facial sites for histologic evaluation before results, immediately after the first results, and 3, 6, and 12 months after the fourth results. Patient satisfaction scores were obtained at each follow-up visit.
RESULTS. Mild to moderate improvement in treated facial rhytides was observed in all patients. Increased dermal collagen was seen 6 months after four successive resultss. Patient satisfaction scores paralleled the photographic and histopathologic changes seen. Side effects were limited to transient erythema, edema, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.