{"content":[{"text":"Novel Non-Ablative Approach using ClearLiftTM High Power Q-Switched 1064-nm \n Nd:YAG Laser for Aged-Skin Repair \n Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD PhD \n Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center, New York, NY \n Assistant Clinical Professor, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA","bbox":{"left":0.092546,"top":0.110004,"width":0.7674519999999999,"height":0.088691}},{"text":"Background Scientific research in the field of energy- and light-based procedures made it possible to develop a very new \n and innovative generation of lasers which combine the benefit of a non-ablative and a fractionated laser device promising an \n improved method to revitalize aging skin without harming the epidermis. With this pilot case series we performed one of \n the first systematic reports evaluating efficacy and safety of the non-ablative Q-Switched 1064-nm neodymium:YAG laser \n device in the treatment of rhytids of the face, neck and chest. Methods Seven healthy female subjects (Mean 53.8 ± SD \n 10.0) with visible signs of facial and neck skin aging were treated with non-ablative Q-Switched 1064-nm \n neodymium:YAG laser device (ClearLiftTM, Alma® Lasers). Treated areas were the face, including the periorbital and \n perioral regions (particularly the upper lip), neck and chest. Treatments consisted of 3 sessions at 2-4 week intervals. \n Follow-up was performed monthly following the final treatment. The Alexiades-Armenakas Comprehensive Grading Scale \n of Skin Aging was employed to assess efficacy. Pain ratings were recorded by 10-point visual assessment scoring. Results \n Employing the validated, quantitative grading scale for rhytids of the face and neck, a 0.29 grade improvement or 11.3% \n improvement over baseline grade was observed in the 7-subject cohort that completed follow-up following a mean of \n approximately 2 treatments at approximately 1 month follow-up. No pain and rapidly resolving minimal erythema were \n noted in all subjects during treatment. Conclusion The results of this pilot case series suggest that the treatment with the \n non-ablative Q-Switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser device significantly improves superficial rhytides. With its outstanding \n safety it seems to be particularly suitable for the treatment of sensitive areas, such as periorbital, lip, neck and chest. The \n Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is a facile, safe and fast treatment for improving the appearance of aged skin.","bbox":{"left":0.0925,"top":0.225552,"width":0.814994,"height":0.24909}},{"text":"INTRODUCTION \n Lasers direct a high-energy beam of a single wavelength \n of coherent light into specific tissues, varying in strength \n and the type of tissue they target1-3 Corresponding to its \n chronological development two main laser classifications \n have been established in the past regarding the degree of \n ablation and recovery7. Ablative laser systems, e.g. CO2 \n and Er:YAG lasers, were among the first resurfacing \n devices which were proven successful2,3. Although \n highly effective for treating photoaged skin, the demand \n for less ablative treatments became evident because of \n the high risk of unwanted side effects, e.g. scarring, \n infections, edema or prolonged erythema, combined with \n a long recovery period and painful treatment sessions. \n Based upon the concept of selective photothermolysis, \n presented by Anderson and Parrish in the early 80s, a \n second less-invasive treatment modality was developed, \n promising good results while preserving the epidermis. \n This non-ablative technique was based on the principle of \n absorption of light and the different chromophores in the \n skin, such as water, melanin or hemoglobin resulting in \n selected damage limited to the target1","bbox":{"left":0.092517,"top":0.487382,"width":0.378047,"height":0.321214}},{"text":"(Figure 1). All stages of wound healing occur under the \n biologic protection of an intact epidermis, so that no pre- \n or postoperative care is necessary4,5 Moreover the \n treatment is gentle, comfortable, and promises to \n decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by \n stimulating collagen growth and skin remodeling 6. The \n aim of this pilot study was to evaluate efficacy and safety \n of this new, novel, non-ablative Q-switched 1064-nm \n neodymium:YAG laser device (ClearLiftTM, Alma® \n Lasers ) in the treatment of the many signs of aging skin \n including fine lines, and wrinkles at face and neck.","bbox":{"left":0.529392,"top":0.501333,"width":0.37815999999999994,"height":0.16205899999999995}},{"text":"Material and Methods \n Subjects \n Seven healthy female subjects, between 42 and 70 years \n of age (Mean 53.6 ± SD 10.0), with visible signs of facial \n and neck skin aging, minimum grade 2.0 on the 4.0 \n grading scale (The Alexiades-Armenakas Comprehensive \n Grading Scale of Skin Aging)7 were enrolled. Verbal \n and written informed consent was obtained. The subjects \n were in good health and none had skin disease or took \n medications that would impact the skin. Women who \n were pregnant, planned a pregnancy, and/or nursed a \n child were excluded from the trial. Also individuals with \n a history of cosmetic treatments, e.g. botulinum toxin, \n hyaluronic acid, lasers, as well as surgical “cosmetic” \n procedures (e.g. face-lift) in the treatment area and","bbox":{"left":0.52941,"top":0.67598,"width":0.37812099999999993,"height":0.21971299999999994}},{"text":"A novel non-ablative Q-switched Nd:YAG 1064-nm \n laser technology is presented here, which combines the \n benefit of a non-ablative and a fractionated laser device: \n a controlled dermal wound is produced by this near- \n infrared wavelength, but without harming the epidermis","bbox":{"left":0.092522,"top":0.820858,"width":0.377975,"height":0.07482600000000006}},{"text":"© 2012 by Alma Lasers","bbox":{"left":0.092549,"top":0.918576,"width":0.19527500000000003,"height":0.02098500000000003}},{"text":"1","bbox":{"left":0.495098,"top":0.918136,"width":0.00980399999999998,"height":0.020212000000000008}},{"text":"www.almalasers.com","bbox":{"left":0.724902,"top":0.918576,"width":0.17652900000000005,"height":0.02098500000000003}}],"images_bbox":[],"images_bbox_not_text_overlap":[]}