Presidential Greeting - American Society for Laser Medicine and ...

Results: At the 1-month follow-up, 25% of the subjects were rated
as having at least 25–50% improvement of their scars on both
treatment sides. There was no significant difference in
therapeutic outcome between the sides treated with fractional
Er:YAG and CO 2 lasers. However, postinflammatory
hyperpigmentation (PIH) and discomfort were significantly more
pronounced on the CO2 laser side.
Conclusion: Ablative fractional Er:YAG and CO2 lasers are safe
and effective for treatment of atrophic acne scars in Asians. As of 1
month following the treatment, both laser systems showed
comparable post-operative healing periods and comparable
cosmetic improvement. However, the side treated with fractional
CO 2 lasers was associated with higher degree of pain and was
complicated with higher incidence of PIH.
#103
American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Abstracts 33
#104
A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED SPLIT-FACE
COMPARISON STUDY OF NON-ABLATIVE
FRACTIONAL LASER RESURFACING IN THE
TREATMENT OF ACNE SCARRING IN
FITZPATRICK SKIN PHOTOTYPES IV–VI
Andrew Alexis, Marcy Coley, Murad Alam,
Janiene Luke, Sejal Shah, Yahya Argobi
Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY; Northwestern
University Chicago, IL; Skin of Color Center, St. Lukes Roosevelt
Hospital, New York, NY
Background: Optimal treatment parameters for fractional laser
resurfacing in darker skin types have not been clearly established.
The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of
two different settings of a fractional nonablative laser in darkly
pigmented subjects with acne scarring.
Study: This is a prospective, split-face, randomized, controlled
study involving 18 subjects aged 18–65, with Fitzpatrick skin
types IV–VI, and acne scarring on the face bilaterally. Subjects
were treated with a 1,550 nm erbium-doped fractionated laser
using two different settings, one per side of the face. Each side was
treated with 40 mJ and treatment level 4 (11% surface area
coverage) versus 40 mJ and treatment level 7 (20% surface area
coverage), randomized to the left or right face. A total of four
treatments were performed at 4-week intervals. Efficacy
endpoints include improvement from baseline in: quantitative
global scarring grading system score (QGSGSS), blinded
investigator global visual analog scale (VAS), and Skindex-16.
Safety evaluations include development of dyspigmentation or
scarring. Preliminary results at week 16 are presented here.
Results: In our preliminary analysis of six subjects who have
completed four treatments and were evaluated at 1 month after
the final treatment, all subjects showed improvement from
baseline by blinded live investigator VAS. The mean
Investigator VAS was 6.0 and 3.8 for the high and low density
treatments, respectively, where 0 is ‘‘no change’’ and 10 is ‘‘like
normal skin.’’ The mean reduction from baseline in QGSGSS for
both high and low density treatments was 1. Two of the six
subjects and 1/6 subjects had mild hyperpigmentation and
erythema bilaterally at week 16 (1 month post 4 treatments)
respectively.
Conclusion: The 1,550 nm erbium-doped fractional laser is
efficacious and safe in the treatment of acne scarring in
darker skin types. Greater efficacy was observed with
higher treatment density without an increase risk of
hyperpigmentation.
EVALUATION OF THE COMBINED TREATMENT
WITH FRACTIONAL LASER AND FRACTIONAL
RADIOFREQUENCY FOR ACNE SCARS IN ASIANS
Chi Keung Yeung, Nicola P.Y. Chan, Carol S. Yu,
Henry H.L. Chan
The University of Hong Kong; Eye Institute, Hong Kong, China
Background: The fractionated RF induces deep dermal heating
while leaving the epidermis less affected. Thus it may reduce
downtime and lower the risk of postinflammatory
hyperpigmentation. Combining fractional bi-polar RF and diode
laser is intended to improve acne scars by enhancement of
collagen production in the scar indentation and by causing
ablation and resurfacing of the scar edges. The objective is to
determine the safety and efficacy of the combined treatment on
acne scars in Asians.
Study: Twenty-one Asians with skin types IV–V and acne scars
were recruited. Each received three treatments with fractional
915 nm laser using Matrix IR (Syneron, Irvine, CA) with fluence
at 70 J/cm 2 , RF at 100 J/cm 3 , double passes followed by fractional
RF using Matrix RF at energy of 62 mJ/pin, at 4 week intervals.
Serial standardized photographs were assessed by two
independents observers. Subjective evaluation was also obtained.
Results: Nineteen patients completed third treatment. There was
significant improvement of acne scarring with mean score
decreased from 7.5 to 5.9 out of 10 (P < 0.001) and 67% were rated
at least moderate objective global improvement. There was also
significant objective improvement of mean scores for skin texture,
pore size and pigmentary irregularities (P < 0.001). 57.1% of
subjects rated moderate to significant improvement and 81.9%
were satisfied with the procedure. One case developed blisters
near the jaw area and 7.5% developed transient postinflammatory
hyperpigmentation.
Conclusion: Combining fractional laser and radiofrequency
appears to be safe and effective for acne scars in Asians.
#105
THERMO-FRACTIONAL PDT FOR PERSISTENT
WARTS
Leonardo Marini
Trieste, Italy
Background: Previous studies demonstrated the clinical efficacy
of PDT in recalcitrant warts. Both 2,940 nm Er:YAG and 10.600
CO2 laser fractional ablation has shown to enhance the
penetration of actives through the skin. The objective of this study
was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a combined thermofractional
PDT comparing two different laser wavelenghts (2,940
and 10.600 nm) as fractional trans-stratum corneum penetration
enhancers.
Study: Fifty seven recalcitrant HPV lesions belonging to 20
subjects (10 females and 10 males, Fitzpatrick 2–3, 12- to 37yeard
old mean 21) were treated according to the thermofractional
PDT technique. A full field 2,940 nm Er:YAG laser
photovaporization was performed on all lesions to eliminate
hypercheratosis (4 mm spot–300 microseconds–6 J/cm 2 –8Hz–
Fotona Dynamis XS). Thermotherapy was subsequently
performed with three sequential passes of a long pulse 1,064 nm
Nd:YAG laser (3 mm spot, 35 milliseconds–50 J/cm 2 –scanner–
Fotona Dynamis XS). Thirty-two lesions were treated with
2,940 nm Er:YAG fractional laser as an active trans-stratum
corneum penetration enhancer (0.250 mm spot, 8 J/cm 2 ,