SAGGING SKIN GETTING YOU DOWN? PILOT STUDY FOR A NEW FRACTIONAL LASER FOR SKIN TIGHTENING SHOWS PROMISE

SAGGING SKIN GETTING YOU DOWN? PILOT STUDY FOR A NEW FRACTIONAL LASER FOR SKIN TIGHTENING SHOWS PROMISE
November 13, 2006

Wausau, WI Ò November 13, 2006 Ò For 58-year-old Mary B. of MarylandÌs Baltimore County, leading a healthy lifestyle and keeping physically fit with a regular exercise regimen of weight training, cardio and dancing are a top priority for this active retiree. But when Mary started noticing the signs of gravity on her face, she knew that no exercise in the world could shape up the sagging, loose skin that draped the lower part of her face and added years to her appearance.

ÏWhen Dr. Weiss approached me about participating in a pilot study with a new light-based device that could tighten the sagging skin in my cheek and chin areas, I was excited at the possibility of feeling younger and more confident about my appearance,Ó said Mary B. ÏI know weÌre our own worst critics, but I always felt that my face didnÌt really match the rest of my body. With this new treatment, my skin is now tighter, and people have commented that my face looks wonderful.Ó

In the pilot study presented at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) Ò the laser industryÌs premier educational conference Ò Robert A. Weiss, MD, shared data demonstrating how a novel optical device attached to a fractional infrared (IR) light treatment allows the safe delivery of much higher energies than previously used, producing enhanced clinical outcomes in 10 patients with lax facial skin. Dr. Weiss is the director of the Maryland Laser, Skin and Vein Institute in Baltimore, MD.

The newly designed hand piece used in the study features unique cooling components that counteract the higher levels of heat energy required to correct sagging facial skin, a significant improvement over other devices employed for skin tightening.

ÏThe main limiting factor in any laser or light-based procedure is heat damage to the skin, which can cause a variety of undesirable side effects,Ó said Dr. Weiss. ÏThis system was designed with a sophisticated cooling system to keep the surface of the skin cold while heating the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate the beneficial effects of collagen remodeling. We also used a sapphire crystal to deliver the heat energy because it is a better conductor of heat than the commonly used quartz crystal. These factors enabled us to safely and effectively tighten sagging skin without the risk of overheating.Ó

The 10 patients treated in the pilot study received five treatments on both sides of the face, administered one month apart. Results were evaluated using a specialized imaging system to measure precise changes of upward movement in Ïbefore and afterÓ photos of the treated areas, as well as a standard device used to measure skin stiffness.

On a scale of zero to four millimeters (mm) of upward movement of creases or folds, an improvement in skin sagging of the lower face was observed in the majority of patients. Specifically, six patients experienced an improvement between 1-2mm (representing a clinical grade of 20%-25% improvement), three patients experienced an improvement between 2-3mm (representing a clinical grade of 30%-50% improvement), and one patientÌs improvement was classified as less than 1mm. Objective skin stiffness measurements correlated with clinical improvement.

ÏOur study found that this novel broad spectrum IR hand piece with fractional optical delivery is highly safe and effective for facial skin tightening applications,Ó said Dr. Weiss. ÏWeÌre also finding the device works well to tone and tighten loose skin on other areas of the body, such as the arms, legs and abdomen. This holds promise for anyone feeling the effects of gravity from aging, excessive sun exposure or even dramatic weight loss.Ó

The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) is the worldÌs preeminent resource for laser research, safety, education, and clinical knowledge. Founded in 1980, ASLMS promotes excellence in patient care by advancing clinical application of lasers and related technologies. For more information and physician referrals, please log on to the SocietyÌs website: www.aslms.org.