VIRGINIA BEACH -- Fighting the effects of wrinkles i n the privacy of your own home with a laser may sound dangerous, but the FDA recently approved the first ever home-use laser. It's primary target is your crow's feet.

'You set your pattern and usually do eight treatments on each eye. I just move in half-inch increments,' says Stacey Butterfield, 54, who began using the PaloVia Skin Renewing Laser in early April.

She wanted to erase the wrinkles around her eyes, so following the instructions, she used the laser for 30 days.

Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc. say its device is the only FDA-cleared home-use laser on the market that's clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. The patented laser technology renews skin with new collagen and elastin, promising natural looking but dramatic results.

'Oh yeah, yeah, especially on the right eye, it's really amazing,' shares Butterfield. 'I had a really deep, deep wrinkle and it's not as pronounced.'

Dr. David McDaniel, director of the McDaniel Laser & Cosmetic Center in Virginia Beach, calls PaloVia a breakthrough product. He says nine out of ten people in the original studies showed visible improvement within 30 days.

'The PaloVia device goes deeper in the skin where wrinkles are formed and helps stimulate fresh new collagen, whereas things like Retin-A, Retinoids, creams and lotions typically do not,' explains McDaniel.

He went on to explain, until now, results like this were only possible with more intense fractional lasers in the doctor's office. One to two treatments with the medical grade lasers penetrate much deeper into the skin for quicker results.

McDaniel says the PaloVia option makes up for its 'lack of power' through repetition and cost effectiveness.

A visit to the doctor's office for fractional laser treatments range in price from $500 to $1000 per treatment. The PaloVia retails online for $499.

McDaniel stresses it's safe, noting one of its most important features is a 'smart sensor' to prevent eye injury. Because it's used so close to the eye and lasers can cause serious injury. PaloVia will not operate if not used correctly.

'The PaloVia device knows if it's in contact with your skin. It also knows if it's sealed for light. And, when it's sealed, a blue light comes on and will allow you to fire it. If it's not sealed, it can't fire,' explains McDaniel.

Butterfield made the 3-4 minute treatment part of her nightly routine and says she will continue to use the laser for up-keep.

The company suggests a treatment twice a month after the initial contiguous 30 days. Butterfield says it doesn't hurt. It just feels like short, warm pulses, but she did experience some redness after each treatment.

'I kind of push my hair forward a little bit, ummm, but if I put my make up on then maybe a little blush, it kind of blends out the redness.'

That redness, Butterfield adds, a small price to pay for smoothing out some of her wrinkles.

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