Effect of a new infrared light device (1100-1800 nm) on facial lifting

The use of infrared radiation in the treatment of skin laxity

BACKGROUND

Cosmetic surgery and medicine are extremely interesting fields for a plastic surgeon. Lasers and lights determine ablation, contraction and regenerating stimulus in skin tissues. The aim of this study is to examine the use of infrared lights in treating facial and body skin laxity.

METHODS

Between 2007 and 2011, in the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Hospital San Camillo-Forlanini, 303 patients were enrolled in the study and underwent laser therapy. The laser operates in wavelength from 1100 to 1800 nm. The treated areas are: face, neck, eyebrows, abdomen, legs and buttocks.

RESULTS

We have noticed no systemic complications. A case of a patient with a three days lasting erythema on both lower eyelids caused by laser therapy healed without any pharmacological therapy. Neither hyper- nor hypopigmentation of the skin was found. The satisfaction degree of patients has been: facial, neck and eyebrow lifting "very satisfactory" for 70% of the patients, "satisfactory" for 10%, "unsatisfactory" for 20%; for the other areas it was "very satisfactory" for 40%, "satisfactory" for 20% and "unsatisfactory" for 40%.

CONCLUSION

The use of infrared radiation represents a valid alternative to surgical lifting, but cannot replace it. The infrared light technique used has turned out to be useful in contrasting skin laxity of the face and other parts of the body. The absence of scars and surgical risk makes this technique useable for a large number of patients.

Aging facial skin: infrared broad band light technologies

The application of infrared broadband light is the more recent addition of nonsurgical laser and light-based treatment for skin laxity and rhytids. Infrared broadband light, when used with the mobile technique, offers a painless, safe, nonsurgical alternative treatment option for treatment of skin laxity on the face and neck. Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated improvements in skin laxity correlated histologically with neocollagenesis and neoelastogenesis over a 6-12 month period. The consistency of clinical improvement in skin laxity supports the use of this approach for moderate skin laxity.

Effectiveness of non-ablative three dimensional (3D) skin rejuvenation: a retrospective study involving 46 patients

BACKGROUND

Three dimensional (3D) skin rejuvenation is proposed to be effective for all skin layers. The aim of this concept is to treat sun spots with broad-band pulse light; large pores, fine lines and vascular lesions with a long-pulsed 1064 nm neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser system and skin ptosis and laxity with a 1100-1800 nm infrared light source.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, 46 patients treated with the 3D skin rejuvenation procedure were retrospectively evaluated to assess the effectiveness of the 3D procedure according to both patient and doctor satisfaction.

METHODS

The 3D procedure was carried out over the course of five sessions with 15 day intervals between sessions. Results were judged by an experienced laser dermatologist both by direct patient examination and by comparison of "before" and "after" photographs. Results were ranked into five categories ranging from 0 to 4. At the final control, the patients were also asked to rate their satisfaction with the procedure in five categories, ranging from 0 to 4.

RESULTS

All of our patients showed improvement, with an overall patient satisfaction score of 2.65. Female patients were more satisfied than male patients. Patient and doctor satisfaction scores were generally correlated.

CONCLUSIONS

Our clinical results indicate that the 3D procedure is an effective nonsurgical skin rejuvenation method.