Non-ablative cutaneous remodeling with a 1.45µm mid-infrared diode laser: phase II

BACKGROUND : Presented here is phase II of a three-part study of non-ablative cutaneous remodeling with a 1.45 w m diode laser configured with cryogen spray cooling. In phase I, safe heating and cooling parameters were established by examining gross and microscopic changes induced by the laser. Phase II examines clinical changes and side effects in the treatment of single facial rhytids. METHODS : Two men and seven women with Fitzpatrick skin phototypes I-III were treated. Single facial rhytids were treated on three separate occasions 3 weeks apart (six periorbital and three perioral). Single, control wrinkles on the contralateral sides were treated with cryogen spray cooling alone. Subjects were treated with single passes with a 5mm spot for the first two treatments. Owing to a modification in the handpiece design, a 4mm spot was used for the third and final treatment. The average power was 12 W. At each treatment visit, heating times ranged from 200ms to 300ms, applied as a series of heating/cooling...