Rapid healing after skin laser resurfacing: a minimal mechanical trauma technique

Effects of laser-assisted lipolysis on nipple-areola complex

BACKGROUND

Gynecomastia, as a most common benign condition, represents itself as the enlargement of the male breast and also nipple-areola complex as the severity of the condition increases. With this study, we aimed to clarify the effects of 980-nm diode laser on nipple-areola complex (NAC).

OBJECTIVES

Although numerous open techniques have been described to correct gynecomastia, nowadays trends have shifted to minimally invasive techniques such as laser-assisted lipolysis (LAL).

METHODS

A total of 25 patients with bilateral gynecomastia treated with LAL by using a 980-nm diode laser.

RESULTS

The resultant contour and reduced size of the complex were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONS

LAL leads to significant reduction of the size of NAC.

[Laser-assisted lipolysis for gynecomastia: safe and effective skin retraction]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate efficacy of laser lipolysis in the treatment of gynecomastia to correct breast volume, flaccidity and excess skin without its excision.

METHODS

Prospectively, 32 patients with gynecomastia under tumescent anaesthesia and sedation underwent laser lipolysis with 980 nm diode laser, 15W continuous emission and 8 to 12 kJ energy per breast. Externally cold air was used to protect the skin. No drainages were used but a compressive bandage. Patients evaluated results on a VAS scale. Two doctors evaluated results comparing before and 6 month after photographs and also measured the areola and chest diameter.

RESULTS

Twenty three patients considered results as Very Good, 7 Good and 2 Fair Cutaneous retraction of the areola was noticeable one month after the surgery and was maximum 6 months after. Evaluation by doctors was 26 Very Good, 5 Good and 1 Fair. There were no burns, ischemia or lesions in areolas or nipples.

CONCLUSION

Laser assisted liposuction is a simple and efficacious technique, barely traumatic and permits a rapid reincorporation to normal activities.

Effects of skin cleaning modes on the condition of collagen and elastin after laser resurfacing

BACKGROUND

Laser resurfacing is now widely used for the treatment of facial wrinkles, photoaging and acne scars and is usually combined with comparatively aggressive methods of cleaning detritus off the treated area after each laser pass.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate two different cleaning methods (damp gauze or damp large-tip cotton buds) in order to elucidate their influence on the healing process, if any. The left or right preauricular area, chosen at random on 10 patients undergoing periocular and perioral resurfacing with the same laser system, was cleaned after each laser pass with damp gauze (Group G) and the contralateral side with the large-tip cotton buds (Group C). Post-resurfacing oedema and erythema were observed in the preauricular areas and rated by the same experienced observer immediately after treatment and at 14, 30, 45, 60 and 90 days.

RESULTS

Oedema was slightly more noticeable initially in Group G patients, but the erythema was more intense and lasted longer in the gauze-cleaned tissue. The sites were biopsied at 90 days and the samples sent for blinded histological evaluation to assess the degree of collagen and elastin fibre compaction. The histology demonstrated that the tissue from Group G achieved, at 90 days, better compaction of collagen and elastin fibres than that from Group C.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that the abrasive action caused by the gauze adds to the existing stimulative inflammatory reaction following CO2 laser resurfacing, which augments the collagen and fibre compaction response in the tissue. Comparatively aggressive cleaning with damp gauze may therefore be preferable to other methods when performing laser resurfacing.